Engine Build Price Ballpark Question

[ROKN69]

Hello everyone,

It's been some time since I posted here. I'm looking to build a new engine for my car and would like to know what something like I'm looking for should cost. I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before pulling this trigger.

I'm looking for an engine based off of the LSX GM block (iron), fuel injected, supercharged (ProCharger F1-R). I've done some rough speccing, with 440 C.I., at 12psi of boost (9.5 C.R.), should be around 1000 HP on pump gas. What would something like this cost, on average, to have built?

Of course it needs to be reliable so good quality parts are very important.

Thoughts?

I'm also wondering about the transmission to put behind it, but I'll cross that bridge once I have figured out what I'm going to build.

[Che70velle]

Send a pm to 214Chevelle (Marcus). He's building something similar, with RHS block.

[70 tt rustang]

I would say your looking at 17k with out the ecu

[GregWeld]

Gee.... just hazarding a guess here -- but if I wanted to know what an engine was going to cost -- I'd actually ask an engine builder. Engine builds are all about "it depends" -- as in it depends on what you mean by "quality parts"... what quality?

Find a couple builders in your area and run the build by them - then you'd really know. Anyone can toss you a GUESS....

[Flash68]

Yep, ask your engine builder and talk about specific parts!

[Ron in SoCal]

Gee.... just hazarding a guess here -- but if I wanted to know what an engine was going to cost -- I'd actually ask an engine builder. Engine builds are all about "it depends" -- as in it depends on what you mean by "quality parts"... what quality?

Find a couple builders in your area and run the build by them - then you'd really know. Anyone can toss you a GUESS....

It was either Steve or Donnie that once said, "how long is a piece of string??"

:D :peepwall:

[214Chevy]

Send a pm to 214Chevelle (Marcus). He's building something similar, with RHS block.

The guys are right. "It does depend." But, I'll give you a ball park figure for what nearing. Shortblock....$10k, heads (depending on what set I go with between WCCH and MAST)....$4400-$5400, supercharger (which I already have)...$7k. I'll stop there. Factor in accessories and accessories drive, wiring harness and ECU and a few other odds and ends. So, we're already up to $22k roughly with just those amounts I listed. You can subtract approx $2k from that amount that you'll save with an LSx block....so you're roughly at $20k already. FYI, I wouldn't go with cheap parts with boost. Not saying you gotta buy top-o-the-line, but don't start cutting corners when the price starts adding up.

[Fitz78ta]

Don't forget about a couple grand for your fuel system, 1000+ gets expensive. 160ish lb injectors and a good fuel pump(s) to start.

Curiosity, why did you pick the 440 and F1? You looking for a particular power goal or just wanting to hit 1000hp?
What are you wanting to accomplish with the car?

[gnx7]

An LS2 or LS3 production aluminum block can handle 1000rwhp with a good tune on quality fuel. It'll even do it with a production crankshaft. Beyond that you want the 6 bolt style block/heads.

The LSx iron block easily weighs 120lbs more than a production alum one and they need a lot more machine work than some other aftermarket blocks. DART recently came out with a block also. RHS block is used a lot.

There are a few built shortblocks using aftermarket blocks for sale on ls1tech. The early LSx castings had core shift issues. Make sure you get one that isn't from that batch.

Any reason why you are going supercharger vs. turbo(s)?

[CarlC]

Don't forget about a couple grand for your fuel system, 1000+ gets expensive. 160ish lb injectors and a good fuel pump(s) to start.

What are you wanting to accomplish with the car?

Words of wisdom here. The engine seems to be the topic most are concerned with, but the support systems can add up in a hurry. Clutches, transmissions, driveshafts, differentials, fuel delivery, heat exchangers/thermal management, etc. should be considered as part of the overall plan. 500hp to 1000hp increases the costs on support systems exponentially.

What you want to do with the car also makes a big difference. If the car is just a cruiser to the burger joint the systems can be less capable. If the car is going to do 20 minutes on a road course that's a whole different animal, and little of it can be done on-the-cheap and be reliable.

Here's two similar builds to what you're considering and the fuel systems used. http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=43259 Support systems development can make or break a great car.

[ROKN69]

Guys, thank you very much for your replies.

I have talked with a local engine builder, one with a really good reputation, locally - he's been building cars and engines for 42 years (as long as I've been alive!). He's not known to be cheap, either, and I've seen many of the cars that he's built - some are really nice cars. I say all this to say that I'm not trying to cut any corners because I'm tired of two steps forward, one and a half steps back.

We've come up with a slightly different build since I posted this. We're using an RHS block with 427 C.I. Callies crank and rods, RHS heads, diamond pistons, Accel fuel management, holly intake (the high rise one), among other parts that I can't remember.

The long block came in at $16,500, and with the ProCharger (with intercooler) and fuel injection (complete fuel delivery) we're looking at $28,600, plus various misc. hardware and fasteners.

Sounds like we're in the right ball park. There will be something for the engine builder in there as well, and he's going to be installing it.

I'm planning on having the car do double-duty: both drag racing and running cones (Pro Tour). Next year I'm planning on doing the rear of the car, but not really sure if I'm going to do a watts link setup for a modified 4 link setup with panhard bar. We'll see.

Again, I really appreciate the replies; they have been helpful. I certainly don't know everything, and some times my questions come off as uneducated to those in the know. That's mostly because that's what they are - and I'm trying to learn.

Best,

--Roger