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American Speed vs Speed-o-Motive 383

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darkthig

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I recently compared the prices of the 383 crate engines from two manufacturers and found the 400hp engine at American Speed was about $1200 more expensive than Speed-0-Motives' crate. Does anyone know what constitutes the price difference (premium parts, warranty, additional features etc...)? I have heard good comments regarding American Speed and I am very interested in purchasing the best crate motor even if one is considerably more expensive for the same HP rating.

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#2 ·
I know nothing about American Speed. However, I do have experience with "Crap-O-Motive" as do several others here. I am just rebuilding my 400 SB to correct all the problems that came with my 400 kit from Crap-O-Motive. They have good prices on new parts but anything they've actually touched (machine work or assembly) personally I would not touch.

They sold me a rebuilt rods/crank setup. The machine work was really poor. I foolishly did not check everything out (misplaced trust!) and paid the price. I spun a bearing with only 400 miles on the new motor. When everything was checked out by my local machine shop they said the work was very poor and badly out of spec - too much taper in the rod bores, very rough finish, tolerances all wrong, etc. I ended up having it all redone at my expense.

I tried to talk with Crap-O-Motive about my problems. They were not at all interested in dealing with the problem. Their customer service is non-existent.

There is another member here who recently bought some parts (at least a block) from them. The cam plug was installed too deep and the cam wouldn't go in all the way. It apparently wasn't obvious and after the motor was started the cam and lifters of course self-destructed.

I would recommend you consider someone else. You might consider a local shop - at least you have someone to talk to and look in the eye when you have problems. GM crate motors are probably also a good alternative. Both may be more expensive up front - but far less than having to do it a second time.

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Scott
'69 400SB, Richmond 5-speed
www.geocities.com/sdenning1
 
#3 ·
check out some less obvious specs on the motors including the torque curves, as well as some of the parts involved. The American Speed motor pumps out serious torque at around 480 ft. lbs. and has a huge power curve while the Speed-O-Motive engine puts out less than 440 ft. lbs. Torque is what accellerates. Also, American Speed's engine drops 50 pounds as opposed to the Speed-O-Motive in that it uses aluminum cylinder heads that have been ported by American Speed. Also, the compression on the Speed-O-Motive engine is something like 10:1 I believe, which is a bit on the high side for iron heads and pump gas. American Speed's engines all run between 8.5-9.5:1 compression and could run on pump regular or mid-grade gas.

Finally, the American Speed engine comes broken in and dyno tested and tuned to ensure quality. I have also heard bad things about Speed-O-Motive.

[This message has been edited by boodlefoof (edited 05-28-2001).]
 
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#4 ·
i sure am glad to have read these posts. i have also been lookin at packages from speedo, but since ive seen these i think im gonna look a few other places. have any of you ever heard of big al's toy box? he also builds motors for what seems to be a reasonable price but i havent really heard good or bad from them.
 
#6 ·
For some reason, people seem to think Fast Times is expensive. I have not found that to be the case. I ordered the vast majority of my parts throught them for my 434, and they beat or matched the prices I could've got by ordering direct or ordering from Jeg's/Summit. I think the misconception is probably due to the fact that people assume that they must be expensive because they are so successful at building race and championship winning motors. Jeff and the rest of the guys at Fast Times are very friendly and very helpful. They are not like some of the other premier engine builders who use their success as a reason to jack up their prices.

Also, I have found that their labor and machining costs are equal to or less than some of the run of the mill machine shops. If you work with them, they will work with you.

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1982 Corvette
Tremec TKO
650hp@6800/580tq@5200 SBC 427

[This message has been edited by MontyW (edited 05-29-2001).]
 
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#7 ·
Monty,

I'm sorry, I should have word that different. You are right they are not that expensive. I guess because i got a great deal from them (knowing someone over there) I priced my motor out elsewhere and was amazed at how good of a deal i got. i should have said that you get what you pay for and at Fast Times you get the best, in my opinion. If a Fast Times motor cost you more than another shop it's because you know it's better, again in my opinion (don't want to knock other builders) and yes the guys there are great on all levels. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
 
#8 ·
All I know about Big Al's Toy Box is that they only do forced induction engines. I talked to the owner on the phone once asking if they built any non-blown engines and he said no. Seemed like a nice guy.
 
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#9 ·
I doubt anyone can verify the quality of these motors since they are so new, but Edelbrock is making crate motors now. They have a 410HP 350cui motor complete with carb and ignition. I would think this would be a good motor since Edelbrock has always made quality stuff. Any opinions on them?
 
#10 ·
Can someone please post a number for Fast Times? Also, has anyone heard anything about Gustaf Racing Engines (gustafracingteam.com)? I talked to Ron Gustaf (the owner) the other day about building a 383, he seemed to be knowledgeable and had a nice attitude, took his time with me, etc. As far as Speed-O-Motive, I got as far as inquiring on a short block buildup. The attitude that these guys have on the phone really sucks. I guess they have enough business already, because they sure weren't trying to get mine!

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1969 RS/SS CAMARO
350 / 4 spd. Rallye Green
 
#11 ·
Matgo6, I've seen those Edelbrock engines advertised in Jegs, my opinion, those prices are outrageous. They want $5900 for 410hp 350? For about $500 more I can get this http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=120&pid=467 , and it comes with a few more things like a starter, water pump and plug wires. It also comes with aabout 100 more horsepower and about 150 more ft lb. torque, not to mention it's a big block. I guess I was just surprise at how much edelbrock is asking for these engines. And if you want a small block the engine is quite a bit less, http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=720&pid=2598 . Just my opinion.

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68 468 700R4, and here it is;
mutert23
 
#13 ·
Eramon,

No problem, no skin off my back. I don't work there or anything, just had very good dealings with them, and would recommend them to anyone.

I heard the same thing about them when I first moved to the Chicago area and asked about good machine shops. I guess you could say that I have had such good dealings with them, I like to promote them as much as possible. Jeff @ Fast Times has helped me so much, I'm just trying to return the favor.

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1982 Corvette
Tremec TKO
650hp@6800/580tq@5200 SBC 427
 
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#15 ·
I live across the mighty mississippi from Gustof racing engines. Stay away, don't walk, run as fast as you can before you get taken.
A friend of mine had a SB built there. He paid for extras such as full cylinder head porting, manifold work, ect. When the motor didn't perform as well as expected, they tore it down and found stock untouched heads-manifold, ect...
Another guy I race with bought a dynoed 350 from him. He watched the dyno session, took the motor home. installed the next morning in his car. By noon he fires it up, and 3 minutes of idling later a rod exits the oil pan. Gustof says he will fix it-- for $800 bucks!!!
Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 1NAST69:
Can someone please post a number for Fast Times? Also, has anyone heard anything about Gustaf Racing Engines (gustafracingteam.com)? I talked to Ron Gustaf (the owner) the other day about building a 383, he seemed to be knowledgeable and had a nice attitude, took his time with me, etc. As far as Speed-O-Motive, I got as far as inquiring on a short block buildup. The attitude that these guys have on the phone really sucks. I guess they have enough business already, because they sure weren't trying to get mine!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I have heard many negative posts concerning the poor, inconsistent workmanship and attitude about Speed-O-Motive. I no longer consider them a viable source for my business. They possess an excellent (looking) line of performance crate motors at reasonable prices. Their 400hp 383 at $2900 impressed me instantly. I am considering either the ZZ4 or purchasing a 383 crate motor. I have not yet decided on the engine or manufacturer, but I will not purchase anything from Speed-O-Motive. They don't seem to have adequate quality control measures or decent customer service skills. Those two characteristics are all-important, and says alot about they type of professionals their technicians are. Attention to detail, willingness to go above and beyond to ensure their products satisfy all, not just some, of their customers, are standards that to me are the minimum I deserve. I have never done business with Speed-O-Motive and I never will!!
 
#18 ·
i'm not very keen on eldlebrock heads or cams ,although their victor jr heads seem to be alright.they do have very nice intakes though. speed o motive just plain SUCKS. AMERICAN SPEED is a very high quality shop and they use excellent parts,if i was going to buy a crate motor i would use them.most of their small blocks come with AFR heads and rpm intakes, this is some of the reason the price is a little higher.
 
#19 ·
Who knows more about horsepower then Edelbrock? I think GM knows alittle
Image
. The Edelbrock engines use GM crate shot-blocks. If you add up the cost of a GM short-block and then add the Edelbrock parts, you're going to come in quite a bit less then their asking price, so their assemble cost must be making up the rest. I'd rather have AFR heads myself too. Also check out this site, www.beckracingengines.com , I don't have first hand experience with them but they appear to sell good stuff.
 
#20 ·
darkthig: I purchased a complete 540 Ci from Speed-O-Motive but havent fired it yet.You guys are scarying me about there machine work.When i talked to them they said Keith Black was know doing there machine work.Would you guys fire the motor without looking inside?

Brian Weil
 
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darkthig
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