Feb 04 , 2024
High Performance Engine Builders Near You: What to Look For
The first thing to keep in mind when you start searching for "high-performance engine builders near me" is that everyone talks a good game. It’s a rare shop that will tell you that their high-performance stuff stinks, but their lawnmower engines will live forever. It isn’t about the dialogue but about the results. Ask around and see what other people think of them. See what sort of projects are in their service bay or out back in the yard.
Understanding Builder Specialties
Another important thing to keep in mind is that builders are not geniuses at everything. They may be superheroes at tweaking up a brand or two and do pretty well at others, yet perhaps they simply don’t quite grasp the nuances of some other manufacturer. You yourself know that speaking Ford and Chevy, for example, are two different languages. They sound similar, just like Mandarin and Cantonese both sound Chinese to the layman’s ear. You want someone who speaks fluent Ford, Chevy, or both. Not to exclude Mopar, Porsche, or whatever.
The Importance of Cleanliness
Also, in the case of an engine builder, cleanliness may not necessarily be next to godliness, but it is definitely next to keeping your engine alive for a long period of time. Think hard about using the services of a sloppy shop. Some of that crud might make it into your crankcase come final assembly time.
Insist on Quality Parts
You also require them to use only the best possible parts, not the stuff that got closed out due to poor sales or because the manufacturer just went bankrupt. Stuff your project full of brand new forged parts and you won’t ever regret it. Make sure you talk things out with your builder as well. Many projects go sideways when the guy who orders it and the guy who builds it don’t connect the way they should. Never assume that your machinist is a mind reader. Tell him exactly what you want and why you want it that way. He might have some ideas to make it better that you’ve never heard of before.
Fair Compensation for Quality Work
Finally, pay the man fairly for his time. Good work takes time and skill. If you beat the price down too low, shortcuts that you won’t appreciate might happen. Do it right the first time. That includes paying the freight to get that level of performance.