Quote:
Originally Posted by darbikrash
(Properly) building an LS motor is most certainly not cheaper than building a Pontiac engine. As for comparing a $750 junkyard LS near the end of its service life against a brand new properly assembled motor of any type- this is just foolish.
Don’t get me wrong- I love LS motors and have built my fair share. And I don’t begrudge anyone who does an LS swap- that’s hot rodding.
What I set out to do is design, build and produce a modern Pontiac supercharger kit that uses an OEM quality screw blower. The Eaton blower head unit used in my kit is production approved for several GM platforms , and meets all of GM’s reliability , durability, and warranty standards as well as NVH. It is most certainly capable of “starting and acting reliably” when assembled properly.
I set out to provide a highly engineered and thoroughly tested kit that people can buy with confidence that the R&D was done, using made in the USA parts and suppliers, and yes this costs money.
It is the very best that I can do, and other than the foundry work, it is all produced in-house with no outsourcing. There is easily 6 figures in the engineering and tooling for this project- that is the cost of doing business and no single individual will determine the “market” for this, folks that want something done right will have interest, those shopping for a “good deal” at the expense of quality will not.
I did not do this to make money. I have this strange belief that there is a market, however small, that does appreciate products that are not created and marketed by middlemen and hucksters, built to the lowest common denominator, but rather do things to the very best of their ability and cater to those that appreciate this.
It is not intended for a person who is cross shopping a junkyard LS motor and adding $400 Chinese turbos “sloppy mechanic” style.
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Please, do not misinterpret my post. I have the utmost respect for your ingenuity and efforts, and did not mean to undermine those efforts. I was merely speaking from a ROI standpoint.
I am just a peasant among all the big spenders here, although I knew that my post would result in negative responses. But my point stands. Most Pontiac engines are supported only by aftermarket parts and are sourced from China or Taiwan, or Mexico. Those countries use the metric system and while the parts come close to fitting, they are never quite right.
Your system, provided it is placed upon a quality-built Pontiac engine by Butler or other proven PONTIAC engine builders is going to work just fine, but wreak havoc on engines rebuilt with questionable parts. Just go read the thread decades old thread on overheating issues.
I am not here to disparage your company, why would I? I bought my first Pontiac in 1976 and have owned at least one continuously since that time, (I currently own four), so I have plenty of experience with them.
Still, I wish you much success with this project and who knows, I may end up trying one out myself. But ask yourself this: how many people out there are going to spend 20k on a Butler engine plus another 15k to add this system? Sure, there are lots of people salivating, but will they put their money where their mouth is?
The reason the sbc is the most utilized engine in history for racing, restorations, etc, is because of cost. But hey, it's your money.
I'm sure most won't get what I am saying. Wishing you the best.