Guys! Any shop on this forum can produce a 550hp reliable car all day long.

Just keep it simple turbo kit and basic build will net you 550hp no more no less.

 

I would say I could agree with you, but you try getting AAM to build you that and tell me what you get? I bet it is not what you want, at the price you were told and if something does come up, your on your own... I could say the same thing about a few other shops, but that is not my business. I am not saying it can't be done and there are a # of good shops on these boards that can do that for you now. But when I was doing my various builds, places were less sure of what worked and what didn't. Needless to say I paid the price for their learning curves.

As for reliable, that depends on how you drive and how much money you have to put into the build/ supporting mods. Check on the boards and talk among your friends to see what shops they recommend. Then call them, tell them what you want and find out their recommendations. Be as SPECIFIC as you can, as that will better help them decided what is best for you and your situation.
I wish everyone the best of luck in whatever they decide and may the Car Gods be with you.

 

Well I dont really count them in my shops on this forum comment.

 

Wow.. I find it hard to believe we have over 400 built engines on this forum.. But i placed my vote..

 

Good advise !!!! Thats exactly what I did.....and most of the response was..." If you looking for big power with small money...stay stock".

And thats the info I pass on to the pm's I get.

 

I love my car and the end result is sweet - but lets keep it real, these cars aren't easy to work on and take a lot of funds to make big, reliable power...

 

Thats all the information one needs.

 

My goodness, you went through 3 long blocks; and this 3rd ‘much larger’ block, is this the 4.2L stage 4-Stroker that you worked on in 2007, in your signature? OUCH!

It does seem from your ordeal that you were literally dragged through the bushes. I hope you find an engine builder that can meet the needed criteria when you’re ready to make your next move. And I hope that you do stay with the Z, but with a good block and someone who really knows about building street-able race engines.

I am with you when you stated that to have a mighty power house, you must have the body and controls to compliment it; or else you will have problems. You would think that is common knowledge, but you’d be surprise how many people actually place drivability and controllability on the same importance level as supping up the power house.

You’re not kidding when you stated that could buy a house with all that you have spent on your car; believe you me, I can vouch for that. You’re not getting your money back, therefore the only reward is when you have the opportunity to enjoy driving your car. But if you can’t even have that at the end of the day, and on top of that spend your time worrying if you’ll make it back in one piece for a simple grocery run; then that really sucks.

You mentioned AAM, did they have anything to do with this latest 4.2L fxxx up?

As someone who has spent a mansion on modding his Z, since 2003; I can empathize with you. I sincerely wish you better days ahead, Brent. It is depressing to see fellow enthusiast getting less than what they have paid for.

Best
G

 

Most informative and helpful thread I've read in a long time. As a long time member on this board, since jmanz came over from the twinturbo.net days, I had, at times drifted away from the board because a lot of the "a$$-hattery" (if you will?) so it's nice when a thread comes up that actually gets back to what the board was about. Shows the passion that many share for the car and re-itterates what the pioneers in the Z/G crowd have healt with for all of us to benefit.

Just wanted to give a quick "Thank You" to all those that were truthful and put what they really felt out. We all know there is a lot of pride that goes into our cars, and our decisions we make when deciding to buid them out, and it's cool to see it's not clouding the forum. Well this thread anyway, I have to agree with, I think it was Alberto, about how the FI section feel slike a giant pissing contest at time. Anyway, I'm taking a lot away from this thread and it's appreciated.

 

This is my 2nd built long block. The first engine that let lose was the stock block on the upgraded Greddy kit, AAM was responsible for the first built engine and i also believe its almost immediate failure. The current long block I am taking out is the 4.2L Stroker. And no, AAM had nothing to do with that engine build. That completely built long block was from one shop and the install, tuning and now the teardown is another shop. I am looking forward to seeing what the current problem turns out to be and what, if any damage was done to the long block. Hopefully nothing and we just slap a new gasket on and do a basic tune. :-/