Post by Don on Dec 15, 2004 13:18:09 GMT -5
If you’re going to build big power then use parts that are designed for the task and not compromise quality and design for mediocrity and price.
Most common engine combination problems we run into on a daily basis:
1. Too much cam and no compression
2. Too much carb and no cam
3. Too much motor and no convertor or gear
4. Too much manifold with a poor cylinder head or no compression
5. Too much of everything except octane in the fuel
6. Too much magazine article reading
7. I read this post on a board and it's just like his combination.
8. Too much ambition and too little wallet.
The most common complaints we hear:
1. Car lays over at about the 1000-foot mark and won't pull anymore?
2. Idle is really rich and I can't lean it out?
3. Bad 60' times but runs good at the top end
4. Terrible street manners, stumbles, bogs, hesitates
5. Won't idle under 1500-1800 RPM
6. Detonates under light throttle.
7. Back fires when I hit the throttle
8. Ran great on the Dyno, but when we jammed it between the fenders it's un-drivable.
9. My engine builder said.......blah blah blah
Don't get me wrong here, there's lots of really good honest Engine Builders out there. Some can even build a good Mopar.
There's just as many shoddy, unscrupulous take your money and run types that can trap you and empty your wallet with nothing to show for it.
The most common engine builder short falls:
1. Taking the time to fully understand what the application is and what the customer is trying to achieve. If your engine builder doesn't sit down and spend 2-3 hours talking to you about your combination, goals and mechanical ability to maintain your engine then there's a good chance your going to be disappointed with the end result.
2. Too much cam with no consideration of the compression ratio, convertor, gearing or vehicle weight....see item #1
3. Over selling and/or under selling components for their intended use and with most of the consideration going to the profit margin rather than customers expectation...see #1
4. Basic tune-up, fuel system, ignition timing, overselling projected HP and performance numbers, then blaming the the customers combination for the lack of performance....see #1
Very few engine builders can tune-up an engine, nor can I bore a block or cut a radius on a valve. When we build an engine we dictate the specs and demand they be met or we don't accept it.
You wouldn't go to a Dentist for a heart transplant so why would you go to an engine builder to select and or tune a carb or ignition system?
Ideally, have you engine builder write down all the specs on the engine combination he wants to build for you, Then call a real performance tuner who can analyze the whole package, look at the specs and offer any changes to better suit your needs and accomplish your goals.
I always ask...."Did your engine builder know what this motor was going into"...invariably I get the same answer "No"
Engine builders consider themselves HP Gawds, they will never admit an error. It's always your fault; most will bleed your wallet bone dry and then blame you for your lack of budget and over expectations. Only their time has any value, everyone else should work for free and their combinations are always better than anyone else’s.
The truth is unless you know your stuff and can dictate and or supply some of the critical components and specs that you want they will overbuild your engine for your car and usage and supply you with parts that they make the most money on whether they're right or not. After your wallet has nothing but dust in it, they'll walk away from you and lay the blame on someone else.
What they say when it goes south: Bring it in and we'll look at it.
What they mean: We'll take it apart and hide any errors we made so we don't have to warranty the engine.
The Truth: They don't want anyone else looking at it and discovering that maybe the parts that you paid for aren't really in the engine. Calculation errors were made and compromises were done to make it run. Of course they all have the same policy "We don't warranty performance engines".
Now they have your engine all in pieces in their shop, of course it's not their fault so you owe them for tear down and inspection. Of course they'll give you a special deal on the repairs and they've got your engine as a hostage and you by the wallet ....again.
_____________________________________
What they say: Our motors make more power than anyone else’s.
What they mean: Buy it from us we need the money
The truth: They know how to load thier Dyno and how to tune the motor and add POP to the fuel to make the most power at 6800 RPM by using too much timing and too big of a carb which makes that awesome big number and impress you. Of course you won't be able to drive the car with that tune up, your carb is totally different, your car weighs 3800#s, your trying to run 93 Octane unleaded fuel and you want to drive it around in the 2000-3500 RPM range on the street 99% of the time.
On to next post part 2...
________________________________________
Most common engine combination problems we run into on a daily basis:
1. Too much cam and no compression
2. Too much carb and no cam
3. Too much motor and no convertor or gear
4. Too much manifold with a poor cylinder head or no compression
5. Too much of everything except octane in the fuel
6. Too much magazine article reading
7. I read this post on a board and it's just like his combination.
8. Too much ambition and too little wallet.
The most common complaints we hear:
1. Car lays over at about the 1000-foot mark and won't pull anymore?
2. Idle is really rich and I can't lean it out?
3. Bad 60' times but runs good at the top end
4. Terrible street manners, stumbles, bogs, hesitates
5. Won't idle under 1500-1800 RPM
6. Detonates under light throttle.
7. Back fires when I hit the throttle
8. Ran great on the Dyno, but when we jammed it between the fenders it's un-drivable.
9. My engine builder said.......blah blah blah
Don't get me wrong here, there's lots of really good honest Engine Builders out there. Some can even build a good Mopar.
There's just as many shoddy, unscrupulous take your money and run types that can trap you and empty your wallet with nothing to show for it.
The most common engine builder short falls:
1. Taking the time to fully understand what the application is and what the customer is trying to achieve. If your engine builder doesn't sit down and spend 2-3 hours talking to you about your combination, goals and mechanical ability to maintain your engine then there's a good chance your going to be disappointed with the end result.
2. Too much cam with no consideration of the compression ratio, convertor, gearing or vehicle weight....see item #1
3. Over selling and/or under selling components for their intended use and with most of the consideration going to the profit margin rather than customers expectation...see #1
4. Basic tune-up, fuel system, ignition timing, overselling projected HP and performance numbers, then blaming the the customers combination for the lack of performance....see #1
Very few engine builders can tune-up an engine, nor can I bore a block or cut a radius on a valve. When we build an engine we dictate the specs and demand they be met or we don't accept it.
You wouldn't go to a Dentist for a heart transplant so why would you go to an engine builder to select and or tune a carb or ignition system?
Ideally, have you engine builder write down all the specs on the engine combination he wants to build for you, Then call a real performance tuner who can analyze the whole package, look at the specs and offer any changes to better suit your needs and accomplish your goals.
I always ask...."Did your engine builder know what this motor was going into"...invariably I get the same answer "No"
Engine builders consider themselves HP Gawds, they will never admit an error. It's always your fault; most will bleed your wallet bone dry and then blame you for your lack of budget and over expectations. Only their time has any value, everyone else should work for free and their combinations are always better than anyone else’s.
The truth is unless you know your stuff and can dictate and or supply some of the critical components and specs that you want they will overbuild your engine for your car and usage and supply you with parts that they make the most money on whether they're right or not. After your wallet has nothing but dust in it, they'll walk away from you and lay the blame on someone else.
What they say when it goes south: Bring it in and we'll look at it.
What they mean: We'll take it apart and hide any errors we made so we don't have to warranty the engine.
The Truth: They don't want anyone else looking at it and discovering that maybe the parts that you paid for aren't really in the engine. Calculation errors were made and compromises were done to make it run. Of course they all have the same policy "We don't warranty performance engines".
Now they have your engine all in pieces in their shop, of course it's not their fault so you owe them for tear down and inspection. Of course they'll give you a special deal on the repairs and they've got your engine as a hostage and you by the wallet ....again.
_____________________________________
What they say: Our motors make more power than anyone else’s.
What they mean: Buy it from us we need the money
The truth: They know how to load thier Dyno and how to tune the motor and add POP to the fuel to make the most power at 6800 RPM by using too much timing and too big of a carb which makes that awesome big number and impress you. Of course you won't be able to drive the car with that tune up, your carb is totally different, your car weighs 3800#s, your trying to run 93 Octane unleaded fuel and you want to drive it around in the 2000-3500 RPM range on the street 99% of the time.
On to next post part 2...
________________________________________
?? All I run is a 400 with a stock Tq man. 12.45@109
...LOL