crate engines. where should i go?

[charger lover74]

i just bought a 69 charger and iam looking for a 440 crate engine. does anyone know where i can buy one from a good, trustworth reliable source either in the u.s.a or canada ( iam from canada so it would be better from here but i really don't care)

[Chatt69chgr]

Seems like I read that Year One was going to offer these.  Most of the crate engines are bored to the limit.  I believe I would steer clear of those and look for a good used engine and have a reputable shop rebuild it. 

[flyinlow]

Indy cylinderheads

[68X426]

INDY. 

http://www.indyheads.com/wedgeengines.html

http://www.indyheads.com/images/price4.pdf

[1Bad70Charger]

Muscle Motors out of Michigan has a great reputation of building Killer Wedge motors at a very affordable price. Look them up, a quick google search should get you linked up to them and they offer a budget 500+ HP 440 longblock for a very fair price. 

[Back N Black]

Any reliable engine builders in your area? i would find a 440 and have it built to you specs. I think it would be cheaper and more reliable. 

[Rolling_Thunder]

Indy Cylinder heads...       My only experience with them was with one of their Hemi engines....     it ate two lifters, broke two rocker arms, bent a pushrod, bent a second push rod, blew a head gasket....      all within 1000 miles...      and after THEY broke it in.

I understand shit happens and they were very helpful - but still a pain in the ass for a $18,000  engine

[Belgium R/T -68]

Indy Cylinder heads...       My only experience with them was with one of their Hemi engines....     it ate two lifters, broke two rocker arms, bent a pushrod, bent a second push rod, blew a head gasket....      all within 1000 miles...      and after THEY broke it in.

I understand shit happens and they were very helpful - but still a pain in the ass for a $18,000  engine

I know a guy from over here who went to Indy for a training, he told me they brake in their engines on idle. Sad their oil was good enough to allow that.

Per

[68X426]

Sorry to hear about the bad motor from INDY. Not good at all. 

The question was about crates (which I do not own), and I have only heard great results about theirs from their owners. Until now.

For a custom motor I can personally recommend Shanon Engineering in Minnesota (damn near Canada, eh?). My Hemi is no crate and it is perfect so far. But not a crate price that's for sure.

http://www.shanonsracing.com

They have built the Big Foot monster truck motors, lots of NASCAR and NHRA engines. They know Mopar.

Your challenge is to find a great crate that is reasonable to your budget, or a great custom that is somehow priced "below market" and fits the budget. Keep asking everyone for their experiences.

I vote that you custom build.

[flyinlow]

Never have bought a crate motor. Lots of the chevy lads  seam to go that route.

Have you considered doing it yourself?

You would need :

a servicible 440,

a garage, tools, hoist, engine stand.

engine builders guide/service manual

good machine shop

website with lots of Mopar info

time/money/helper/camera



Last 446 I built (assembled) took about 2 months teardown to startup. Cost about $4500 with Eddy heads.

If you enjoy this kind of thing and are a carefull worker , it is rewarding.

[elacruze]

i just bought a 69 charger and iam looking for a 440 crate engine. does anyone know where i can buy one from a good, trustworth reliable source either in the u.s.a or canada ( iam from canada so it would be better from here but i really don't care)

Where in Canada?
Muscle Motors has been doing it about as long as anyone, and they're only 2 hours from Canada via Port Huron.

[Charger-Bodie]

i just bought a 69 charger and iam looking for a 440 crate engine. does anyone know where i can buy one from a good, trustworth reliable source either in the u.s.a or canada ( iam from canada so it would be better from here but i really don't care)

Where in Canada?
Muscle Motors has been doing it about as long as anyone, and they're only 2 hours from Canada via Port Huron.

I got my 493 from Muscle Motors and it was a Rocket. I would recommend them to anyone.

[bamadukefan02]

For my own knowledge, I don't even have a Mopar yet,  are the new blocks that are out there from Chrysler and the other manufacturers worth the money or not?

Thanks
Holt

[elacruze]

For my own knowledge, I don't even have a Mopar yet,  are the new blocks that are out there from Chrysler and the other manufacturers worth the money or not?

Thanks
Holt

Only if you're making 600+ HP or turning more than 6500 RPM, and don't like to take apart to inspect for wear regularly.

[BBKNARF]

Buy your self a used 440 or just the block itself, take it to a good shop and let them build it to your needs.

[1Bad70Charger]

Muscle Motors out of Michigan has a great reputation of building Killer Wedge motors at a very affordable price. Look them up, a quick google search should get you linked up to them and they offer a budget 500+ HP 440 longblock for a very fair price. 

Here is a good example:

Muscle motors offers a 525 HP, 540 torque crate engine, 471 cubic inch stroked 440 engine, for $6,999, that just needs an intake and carb to make complete!  Their objective is to offer great performance and workmanship with value!   

[Charger-Bodie]

Buy your self a used 440 or just the block itself, take it to a good shop and let them build it to your needs.

See, Ive had such bad luck doing that ,That I pretty much decided that the guys who specialize in something are just worth it.

[THE STIG]

Never have bought a crate motor. Lots of the chevy lads  seam to go that route.

Have you considered doing it yourself?

You would need :

a servicible 440,

a garage, tools, hoist, engine stand.

engine builders guide/service manual

good machine shop

website with lots of Mopar info

time/money/helper/camera



Last 446 I built (assembled) took about 2 months teardown to startup. Cost about $4500 with Eddy heads.

If you enjoy this kind of thing and are a carefull worker , it is rewarding.

I think I would agree with this guy.

[R2]

Not much mention of the better Mopar engine builders out there.......besides Muscle Motors

Best Machine Racing (Michigan)

Muscle Motors

Hughes Engines

Porter Racing

If you pick up the latest Mopar Muscle,,,they have the engine "build off" stuff,,,from various engine builders,,,alot of them were E headed 440's to strokers,,,with impressive numbers,,,,,,might want to pick up that issue,,and see if there are some engine builders there that would be a option.

I have a 496 stroker from Muscle Motors in the Charger......

I have a 440 race motor in the Belvedere from Best Machine

Dwayne at Porter is doing another motor for me.......

Call around,,,,i have had good luck with all 3 of the above...........