Engine [Re]Builders

[williamball]

Hi
not an Ultima query...sorry...but I guess you guys are the ones to ask re good engine builders/rebuilders for small block chevys. In Scotland would be nice, but I guess that's a long shot so anywhere really that can rebuild a reliable engine for track days etc.

Thanks

WB

[ultimasimon]

Hi William,

I used to Peter Knight in Daventry of Knight Racing Services to build my dry-sumped SBC. Very helpful, knows his stuff and reasonably priced.

I would certianly use him again.

[BogBeast]

ultimasimon said:

Hi William, I used to Peter Knight in Daventry of Knight Racing Services to build my dry-sumped SBC. Very helpful, knows his stuff and reasonably priced. I would certianly use him again.

Peter is very good bloke.... Worth the trip from Scotland IMHO..

[ultiman]

Simon. Yes they have a good reputation. What sort of power and what price roughly for the sbc dry sumped unit?

[ultimasimon]

My engine makes 509bhp @ 6100rpm and builds 490ft/lb torque at 5100, so it's quite revvy - limited via MSD to 7k. I gave Pete £7k for the engine, which included all the dry sump kit excluding the oil tank which I bought from the factory for £300 and then had that modified for 3 pipes; ie 2 scavenge and one feed. I specifically also wanted to run another 200hp with nitrous, so my bottom end is solid with h-beam steel rods. You can see the engine spec here. All in all the Peter Knight experience was a good one, although I did have to wait a little longer than I had previously bargained for, it was worth the wait.

Strangely enough, I managed to spend half of the engine price again buying a new adaptor plate, clutch and all the sexy aeroquip hoses and fittings; which was a cost I had over-looked Oh well.

I cannot say enough about the dry sump system though as the oil pressure does not move about at all, no matter what banana mode is engaged I have had the pleasure of being driven quickly in other Ultima's and have noticed the oil pressure drop, sometimes to as little as 5 psi, while the accusump charges, and although this should still present no problems I am glad I bothered with it. As I have a very large oil tank that also helps the cooling.

The reason I didn't go 'balls out' was because I wanted to evaluate the car and decide if I was going to build one from scratch but this time with a V12, aka Jay's work of art This evaluation is very close to hand, and could begin with a new build in the next three months.

I am still not sure about going V12, but I have been and done the Chevy route and would like to try something with a little more refinement and power. A 'proper' chevy is like a bull in a china shop, loads of grunt low down and mostly puffed out by 6 or 7k. I am looking for something which really revs and is smooth and of modern design.

Above all do not be put off a chevy install as it is still the most visceral car I have ever had the pleasure of owning.

[Boosted LS1]

Don't some chevy's rev to 10k or thereabouts, race ones anyway?