Thread: Rebuild or crate?

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Prices vary from area to area. As an example, around here a quality shop will build a mild 350, cam of choice, three angle valve job, the usual machining, for around $1800, (on your good core) so assuming that's comparable to what you asked your local shop for, the $2k isn't out of line. The basic GM crate motor (that's the one usually quoted for near $1500) is lower performance than it sounds like you have in mind. You'll only get some lope if you cam it, so you'll have to factor that cost in as well. And you'll still have only a modest engine. As for "find another machine shop" it comes down to apples compared to apples. One thing I used to tell my customers who objected to price was "you can always have it done wrong for less".

Just as the pros above have noted, it costs as much, or more, to custom build an engine as it does to buy a decent quality crate motor. That's why they've become so popular in the last couple decades. If you have specific needs, or if you have access to the machining equipment, and the skill to do it yourself, along with the ability to buy parts wholesale, then custom built is a better choice. For a basic cruiser, crates are hard to beat. Especially when you figure you can find some "smart" guy who thinks he can redo your engine on the cheap and he'll pay you a couple to a few hundred (depending on the market in your area) for your cast off.