If the seller is legit that's a pretty good price (I wonder if you could verify his reputation and the parts used?)-

As far as recommendations, I can wholeheartedly say that Mark Jones at Vortecpro is a straight up, stand up guy, and his builds are very good (and pretty reasonable-he is a wizard at making hp with a cast head on a Big Block)-you can Google him, there are a lot of satisfied Customers, and he ships in and out of the US regularly-he generally specializes in Big Block Chevy's-

As for me, I went to him asking for 700 h.p. (he gave me 775+-I was there and watched it on a calibrated Dyno)-he regularly sent me Photos during the build, and communication was very good-here are his engines-the prices haven't gone up in at least 5 Years:

Engine combinations

Mike Lewis is also very good, and also has an excellent reputation:

Lewis Racing Engines

A better question might be: where do you live? Have you checked around for a good, local reputable builder in your area? What are you building? Your expectations?

 

Thanks for the links. Mark's prices are just a little more then I can spend right now.
I will contact Lewis Today and see what he has for pricing.

I'm in NY. Glen Cove to be exact. I have. I have tried looking around and posting here before, the closest anyone recommended was AL's toy box out of CT. Also a little more then I can spend right now.
I have a 51 Chevy that I really just want a good reliable engine with a lopey cam.

 

stay away from EBAY, if you are going with crate and want a warranty go with Blueprint engines from summit. With your current comfortable spending limit , blueprint might be the best way to go

 

Ive heard nothing great about "blue print" engines.Their name has nothin to do with the engine. Parts have a value,add in GOOD machine work and someone that can properly assemble an engine and add up the costs,if its over your budget then you have to give something up from the list.

Cheaper parts = lower quality or perhaps more research and or used parts?

cheaper machine work? lol, you what what you pay for

cheaper labour? seriously??? what do you get paid for your work at your job and why isnt it a little higher or a little lower?

 

take it how you want it, but I have owned several of their engines starting in 1992 and have also dealt with there warranty department and I have no complaints. I agree that in this world that sometimes more means more cost, but for us hard working poor Americans who like to do a burn out and race up and down the back road, the blueprint engine gets it done.

 

You ever thought about an 5.3 or LS motor they're pretty popular in engine swaps nowadays capable of making a lot of power

 

LS would be ideal. But I can only go up to $4000 right now.

 

Best bang engine

I got a 2003 LS 5.3 with 4L65E trans local for $1200 which is about the going price. It has over 300HP stock. On another site regarding the LSX motors one guy put a 100, 000 mile motor in an RX 7, single turbo and 'glide trans. He ran 8.89 @ 154 MPH. Question is: what are you going to use it for? Drag, show, daily driver?

 

If your budget is 4K and you already have a 383, that sound like it has some issues, it sounds like you need to find a reputable builder. If your heads and rotating assembly are reusable, then your budget is well within a 400HP build range. What have you been told is wrong your engine?

IMO, 4K should be enough to build a stout 383 from nothing more than a good block including machining costs for a DIY job.

Winter is coming - implyling plenty of time to learn how to do it yourself (especially with some advice from some compadres here.)

 

Performance Quality Price You can have 2, you can't have all 3. If you want a proven Iron headed BBC then go Vortecpro. Do not buy from Skip White or Fred White. The links you have posted just the parts alone will be close to what they are selling the engine for. I live in TN where labor rate is below the national average. We can't build it for that, and in all honesty I could not sleep at night if thats what my work was worth.

 

For your budget the 383 engine is probably your best bet. Purchase the base engine for $3595 and since you already have a 383 engine check and see what parts you can use to complete the new engine. BP3834CT1 - GM 383 Base Alum Heads | BluePrint Engines In my opinion 420 hp is great for a truck street engine.