[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by 67Lemons

That’s kind of my point, either pay the top dollar for the most expensive rollers or according to the six page thread on the new Evolutions once you figure out what the proper preload is that seems to be a moving target from the manufacturer buy some extra cartridges “just in case”

It’s almost 2025 & we’re dealing with either paying stupid money for lifters, guessing from a large manufacturer or worrying about flat lobes, no wonder guys switch to LS motors, what a sad state of affairs for us as Pontiac lovers.

It's not just Pontiac, it's all brands. This is not a cheap hobby, especially when it comes to building engines and using good quality parts. Yeah it's 2025 and this stuff is not going to get any cheaper as time passes. Bidenomics didn't help things either.

Just as an example, I just finished a 327 sbc build. Considered by many to be the cheapest engine on the planet to build with huge aftermarket support. Well if you don't want to use ching chong parts, things aren't so cheap anymore. I used AFR heads, 6" Molnar rods, custom JE pistons, Bullet hydraulic roller with HYlift lifters, Crower rockers, etc....... It was $14,000 when I was all done. FOR A 327!!!! And I already had the block and crank laying around. It's not a race engine, just a nice street driver that made good power on the dyno and is daily driven. But,,,,,,it's all high quality parts, I'm confident it will give me many years of reliable service without complaint. There is nothing in that engine that I even remotely worry about.

That's how I approach every engine build here. Not that I'm proud it cost that much, that's just how things are these days. 10 years ago I could build that same engine for about $6000. It's not a poor mans game anymore.

So yeah, if you don't want a custom built engine, I can see your point, and it's why LS engines and even crate engines are becoming extremely popular now. Although I admit I'm pretty sick of seeing an LS in every damn car known to man now. But it's the environment we've created.

Just to give you another example. I have a 502 BBC crate sitting here fresh. I was going to make a 540 out of it with AFR heads. After pricing it all out with a nice rotating assembly, $4200 cylinder heads, nice roller valve train etc....it was going to set me back about $15,000 to make an easy 700hp with a mild street friendly pump gas engine build. I was contemplating back and forth and then ran across a Blue Print 598 crate engine, and they had a 10% off sale. It made 786HP and 772TQ on the dyno and 91 octane and came with a 3 year 50,000 mile warranty for $12,995!!!! I can't build it for that, let alone have a warranty when I'm done. Which one makes more sense? So yeah, I bought the 598 and never looked back. So far a fantastic engine with great street manors. I could even afford to upgrade some stuff, maybe pump up the power and reliablity and still come in cheaper than a custom build. So there is good argument for crate engines as well.