INTERNAL ENGINE MODIFICATIONS Valvetrain |Heads | Strokers | Design | Assembly

Motor build pricing

Old Jul 10, 2008 | 09:50 AM
  #1  
beastmode's Avatar
Thread Starter
Import Moderator
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,041
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default Motor build pricing

Well my motor needs cam bearings so I am having it torn apart and refreshed. I figured, have all the bearings changed, w/e bolts/studs, rings and bored/honed (there are a few little scuffs in the cylinder walls) and hot tanked if need be.

I am also gonna have him assemble my motor (cam and heads as well).

What can I expect to pay, you guys think I can get out for under $1000 or no?

Thanks
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:29 PM
  #2  
InchUp's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 0
Default

Under $1000 for machine work, maybe, but if you add assembly labor onto that you're looking at over a grand being the total bill.

Here's the break down of my most recent bill:

5.3L block
Block prep package of $550, which includes the following:
-sonic testing done to ensure enough cylinder wall thickness for 3mm overbore
-bore and hone to spec with bore plates, which ended up being 99mm for LS1 pistons
-each specific cylinder bored to a specific piston to ensure tighter tolerances
-align hone main caps
-deck/true up block surface which did not need to be done but was checked
-install cam bearings
-magnaflux block and check for cracks
-cleaned in parts washer to remove grease, oil, metal shavings ect
Rotating assembly
Anything dealing with rods, crank, pistons and flywheel package of $280:
-magnaflux crankshaft to ensure no cracks
-checking crankshaft for straightening, journals perfected, oil holes chamfered and whole thing put in the parts washer for cleaning
-rods magnafluxed to check for cracks
-rods checked for straightness and cap ends ground down/perfected for good clamping surface
-rod bolts replaced with ARP rod bolts
-rods shot peened and balanced total mass end to end
-new pistons pressed on
-new pistons dye checked for quality production and to be sure of no cracking/deformations
-whole rotating assembly balanced with reluctor ring and flywheel
Heads
$360-400 Head work usually includes:
-dye checking for cracks in aluminum heads or magnafluxed with iron heads
-milled/trued head surface for perfect head gasket joint or milled to desired compression ratio
-intake and exhaust ports port matched for intake manifold and exhaust manifolds
-intake manifold smoothed out to improve streamlined airflow into the chambers
-chamber work done to exaggerate the tornado and swirl effect GM already designed into the heads to improve fuel and air atomization
-extra cost to put a 3-angle surfacing on the valves to smooth flow in and out of chambers
-heads tossed into parts cleaner to remove grease, oil and metal shavings
Add whatever you want for extra labor to assemble the motor itself which is usually a 6-8 hour all-day job @ $55-85/hour. Plus the additional cost of new seals, valve springs or spring washers/spacers with new valve seals and valve locks, crank and rod bearings and gaskets (heads mostly). You're probably looking at an easy $1500-2000 for all that.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:38 PM
  #3  
krambo's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 2
From: Bangor, PA
Default

For under a thousand, no IMO. Keep in mind you get what you pay for...
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:43 PM
  #4  
Holty's Avatar
Notorious BIG
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

who is doing the work for you beasty? somebody local?
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:48 PM
  #5  
beastmode's Avatar
Thread Starter
Import Moderator
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,041
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Originally Posted by InchUp
Under $1000 for machine work, maybe, but if you add assembly labor onto that you're looking at over a grand being the total bill.

Add whatever you want for extra labor to assemble the motor itself which is usually a 6-8 hour all-day job @ $55-85/hour. Plus the additional cost of new seals, valve springs or spring washers/spacers with new valve seals and valve locks, crank and rod bearings and gaskets (heads mostly). You're probably looking at an easy $1500-2000 for all that.
Well I have a set of heads brand new from Patriot Performance that I bought still in the box.... so realistically I shouldnt need any head work. But this helps alot. I kinda figured id be over a $1k but wasnt sure, I just wanna know what to expect.

Originally Posted by krambo
For under a thousand, no IMO. Keep in mind you get what you pay for...
He has a pretty good reputation around here, so hopefully it holds true

Originally Posted by Holty
who is doing the work for you beasty? somebody local?
Kurt (K-tech I think), Brian knows him. I bought Quiks old trans off him
You know him Josh?
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:50 PM
  #6  
Holty's Avatar
Notorious BIG
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Originally Posted by beastmode
Well I have a set of heads brand new from Patriot Performance that I bought still in the box.... so realistically I shouldnt need any head work. But this helps alot. I kinda figured id be over a $1k but wasnt sure, I just wanna know what to expect.


He has a pretty good reputation around here, so hopefully it holds true


Kurt (K-tech I think), Brian knows him. I bought Quiks old trans off him
You know him Josh?
nope, never heard of him. Where is he from?
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:54 PM
  #7  
beastmode's Avatar
Thread Starter
Import Moderator
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,041
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

I think out in Connellsville, I dont know for sure though. He also was telling me of someone in Mckeesport to... I cant remember his name though
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 03:06 PM
  #8  
Holty's Avatar
Notorious BIG
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Originally Posted by beastmode
I think out in Connellsville, I dont know for sure though. He also was telling me of someone in Mckeesport to... I cant remember his name though
keep me posted brotha
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 03:10 PM
  #9  
beastmode's Avatar
Thread Starter
Import Moderator
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,041
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Will do man, ill give you a heads up when everything is going back in the actual truck lol, thanks
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 05:23 PM
  #10  
Wilde Racing's Avatar
How do I change this text
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 2
From: Behind the TIG welder
Default

my machine shop bill was 1000 bucks... block decked, bored, line honed, set up for quench hight, balanced, heads milled.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:35 AM.