540ci crate motor

[J.J.]

Was just wondering if $18,190 + GST a decent price for a brand new 540ci Merlin big block chev, 600hp, aluminium heads etc

[cluxford]

I had mine landed in Oz and all costs paid (inc GST) for $21K, and that was when the US was at 83 cents....

It all comes down to if you want to buy local or import yourself.

If you buy local the local supplier will take a margin, probably 10-20%

If you import yourself you save that....but;
1. you have to organise shipping
2. No warranty
3. It takes a good 3 months to get here....sometimes longer

So it all comes down to patience and whether you can afford it.

I know many will argue you can build a stronger motor for less $$ than crates....but I chose a crate motor cause it's easy...I have very limited time to get all the pieces and put it together

[J.J.]

who did you buy your crate engine off?

do you have a link?

[cluxford]

I bought it directly off Bill Mitchell Racing in the US

http://www.theengineshop.com/

[J.J.]

I bought it directly off Bill Mitchell Racing in the US

http://www.theengineshop.com/

thanks bro

how did you find their service? were you waiting long for the engine to arrive?

[RSZ28]

Was just wondering if $18,190 + GST a decent price for a brand new 540ci Merlin big block chev, 600hp, aluminium heads etc

Is that locally or a you import yourself...?

[J.J.]

Is that locally or a you import yourself...?

thats from rocket industries

looking at theengineshop.com website, a 454ci small block producing 600hp is 12500 US with the $500 rebate only 12k. seems like a better option

cluxford, how much did it cost you to ship your engine?

[RSZ28]

thats from rocket industries

looking at theengineshop.com website, a 454ci small block producing 600hp is 12500 US with the $500 rebate only 12k. seems like a better option

cluxford, how much did it cost you to ship your engine?

You could probably air freight that and land it for around AU18k (I am estimating weight at 300kg). Trade off against 20k locally with a warranty (whatever that is worth), or maybe 16.5-17k seafreight.

I recall Mr Luxford used Auto Ezy in Melb. They seem to get a good rap.

[J.J.]

You could probably air freight that and land it for around AU18k (I am estimating weight at 300kg). Trade off against 20k locally with a warranty (whatever that is worth), or maybe 16.5-17k seafreight.

I recall Mr Luxford used Auto Ezy in Melb. They seem to get a good rap.

well rocket charge around 20k + gst for that engine, so if i could land it using sea freight for say 17k, thats a 5k saving.

[RSZ28]

well rocket charge around 20k + gst for that engine, so if i could land it using sea freight for say 17k, thats a 5k saving.

Ok, so the $18190 is USD?

[J.J.]

Ok, so the $18190 is USD?

nah, thats for the BB 540, i was talking about the SB 454 which is 20k + GST

[Aussiecamaroowner]

I just suggest this as an alternative, so my apologies if this is not suitable. I have been researching Big Block combos to bring in from the States for my 68 Camaro for quite some time. My pre-requisites have been pretty simple - all new parts incl. block, dyno tested and good reviews. I have decided on a company called T & L Engines (www.tandlengines.com) with many US forums reporting these guys do exceptional work. I have decided on a 489 Stroker combo, however they do a pretty serious looking 540 pump gas combo with 700hp for $8499 u.s. They will also custom build if need be. Direct link is http://www.tandlengines.com/chevy_big_block2.html#Anchor-54-53968. I hope this can be of some help.

[J.J.]

thanks for the link

[xxx.327]

heres a site to drool over
http://www.ultrastreet.net/?gclid=CKqG2f7W-JICFSdciAodTAIhDg
heres his 540
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/540_classic.asp

[usautomotives]

I sell Shafiroff engines. http://www.usautomotives.com.au/crateengines.htm

540ci/695hp for $17,262.66 inc. GST + You get $500 worth of free upgrades for it. All Shafiroff engines come minus ignition and carb.

Cheers

Jesse @ U.S.Automotives

[67cammy]

If you can get that same engine for $9850 US before shipping from Shafiroff how does it get to $17262 here. Are there other charges or taxes that come into play? Your looking at about $10350 AUS for the motor itself

[usautomotives]

If you can get that same engine for $9850 US before shipping from Shafiroff how does it get to $17262 here. Are there other charges or taxes that come into play? Your looking at about $10350 AUS for the motor itself

Taxes, Duties, Shipping, Insurance, etc. If the dollar is .95c, you don't buy things ex-USA for that. Some exhanges are 2c - 3c less than that, depending on where you buy/merchants, etc. The engine wasn't $17,262 either.... it's $15,775 inc. GST, I was in la la land :)

[J.J.]

I sell Shafiroff engines. http://www.usautomotives.com.au/crateengines.htm

540ci/695hp for $17,262.66 inc. GST + You get $500 worth of free upgrades for it. All Shafiroff engines come minus ignition and carb.

Cheers

Jesse @ U.S.Automotives

will the 434ci SB for $15,032.25 bolt straight into a 69 Camaro?

[RSZ28]

JJ, have you considered an LSX i.e. GenIII GenIV at all?

Cheers.

[usautomotives]

will the 434ci SB for $15,032.25 bolt straight into a 69 Camaro?

As long as it had a previous small block, for sure, straight in. The 434ci is the same externally as a stock 350.:)

[J.J.]

JJ, have you considered an LSX i.e. GenIII GenIV at all?

Cheers.

nah, what would be the benefit? i want a crate motor, with 600hp

[J.J.]

As long as it had a previous small block, for sure, straight in. The 434ci is the same externally as a stock 350.:)

:) :) will talk soon

[usautomotives]

No dramas buddy at all. Nothing like the sound of a screaming small block!:D

[69coupe]

No dramas buddy at all. Nothing like the sound of a screaming small block!:D

Except the sound of a screaming Bog Block :p

[J.J.]

Except the sound of a screaming Bog Block :p

whats a bog block?:D

[usautomotives]

hahaha!

Big Blocks don't scream, they growl.... :p

[RSZ28]

nah, what would be the benefit? i want a crate motor, with 600hp

No problemo...:D

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hdrp_0602_600_horsepower_ls7_dyno_test/index.html

500 rear wheel pretty straightforward with a mild cam and good exhaust.

Considering there are VE Commodores running 11.7 unopened on 6L motors....and they are ~1800kg cars, a 1450kg Camaro should kill it :) .

Though at the end of the day....a regular SBC is pretty straightforward....:cool:

Cheers

[J.J.]

No problemo...:D

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hdrp_0602_600_horsepower_ls7_dyno_test/index.html

500 rear wheel pretty straightforward with a mild cam and good exhaust.

Considering there are VE Commodores running 11.7 unopened on 6L motors....and they are ~1800kg cars, a 1450kg Camaro should kill it :) .

Though at the end of the day....a regular SBC is pretty straightforward....:cool:

Cheers

great read, and something i will def consider now, i like the part about the extreme testing the engine has to cope with.

but its just the look of the engine i don't like, strange thing to say i suppose, bet yeah.

[RSZ28]

great read, and something i will def consider now, i like the part about the extreme testing the engine has to cope with.

but its just the look of the engine i don't like, strange thing to say i suppose, bet yeah.

I understand what you mean...:p....The look grows on you though, & ~200kg all up for complete motor, alloy block, heads etc., ..... virtually a bolt in where any SBC or BBC once lived and terrorised the streets....

773

Yeah the LS7 grew out of the C5R Corvette racing program. So it was a race development before it was a street motor. My build does not have any of the titanium though. That's something like US$3k+ for the rods & pistons alone.

Cheers.

[J.J.]

so how much are these GenIII or GenIV motors worth

[cluxford]

Mmmmmm LS7.....

If it weren't for the need for cubes....that would be my motor of choice for the 68

[RSZ28]

so how much are these GenIII or GenIV motors worth

Plenty of options! :eek:

Complete powertrain from a wreck....seen them for $2500-$7500.

Surplus new Holden 6L crate engines...$4500-$5500. If there are any left.

New 427/LS7 block - $3-4k.

New 427/7L LS7 wet sump crate motor....13k-18k.

New crate LS7 full dry sump....$22-23k.

New crate LS7 440ci stroker....$25k.

And anything in between. Plus computer, exhaust, harness etc.

If the swap is simply SBC > SBC and you currently have SBC with trans, exhaust, etc., this is certainly the simplest.

:)

[RSZ28]

Mmmmmm LS7.....

If it weren't for the need for cubes....that would be my motor of choice for the 68

The need for cubes and 9 sec quarters.....:cool:

Wasn't so long ago and your car would have been a competitive track only pro stocker Mr Luxford...:D

You realise when you run it at home the first few times the neighbourhood cats will all leave, and the dogs will all howl....early warning of an earthquake...

[J.J.]

Plenty of options! :eek:

Complete powertrain from a wreck....seen them for $2500-$7500.

Surplus new Holden 6L crate engines...$4500-$5500. If there are any left.

New 427/LS7 block - $3-4k.

New 427/7L LS7 wet sump crate motor....13k-18k.

New crate LS7 full dry sump....$22-23k.

New crate LS7 440ci stroker....$25k.

And anything in between. Plus computer, exhaust, harness etc.

If the swap is simply SBC > SBC and you currently have SBC with trans, exhaust, etc., this is certainly the simplest.

:)

so many options

[RSZ28]

so many options

Yeah...an option for every budget almost.

Car came with BBC 454 and TH400. I was hanging out for a 632 :cool: like Mr Luxford. Engineering certification was something I was not interested in going through. 454 is a legal size engine without any issues (up from 396/427 from factory). 632 didn't make it easy in NSW. Then there was the $$$.

Really wanted to get an LS7 but did not want dry sump, and the $$ was tooooo far away for the crate Corvette motor (the titanium rods and dry sump add a lot of $$). Then i decided on 6L Holden motor even though I preferred to maintain the cubes somewhere over 400 - preferably 427. Love that number :p . Went to a movie a hundred years ago and this dude had a 427 truck....he was in a hurry...."let's see what this 427 caaan doooo!" :D

Then got onto building up an LS7 from a block with aftermarket components....and weakened... :eek:

So I get to keep the car as a 427, and have clean (Euro III if need be...but in NSW, dont need) and able horsepower. LS7 block with Callies Dragonslayer crank/rods & Mahle slugs for short motor, L92/LS3 heads and intake. The L92/LS3 heads/intake are based on the LS7 so the heritage is maintained. There wont be much trouble if I want to get to 600-700 HP NA, or 800+ with turbos....down the track...assuming enthusiasm is maintained! ;)

Built plenty of engines way back when I was at Holden, but the LS7 has been a great new experience so far. The block is something else. Line honed and deck plate bored and honed...from the factory...Wixom LS7 performance build centre in Michigan.

Decisions, decisions,...its also a question of how much adventure do you want! :eek: