importing crate engine from US

[smote]

hi guys,

I'm currently in the process of importing a built up engine from Tin Indian Performance for my 67 Bird.

what experiences have you guys had with receiving an already tuned engine from the states?

will i have any issue with the petrol or re-tuning?

regards,
Luke

[69coupe]

Bought a GM ZZ502. Just use local 98 Petrol and never had a problem. Recommend a chassis dyno tune after been run in. My jetting on the holley was ok but not perfect

[67SS502]

hey peter, if i may ask where and what price did you pay for your GM ZZ502?

[TUFF68]

Bought a GM ZZ502. Just use local 98 Petrol and never had a problem. Recommend a chassis dyno tune after been run in. My jetting on the holley was ok but not perfect
Yep, i've only used 98 octane and i agree with the dyno tune, as mine was running very rich. Check your plugs during the run in stage.....

Any engine specs for us ?

[smote]

Engine specs

Pontiac MR-1 block
Pro Warrior rods
Pro Systems HP1000 carb
KRE Alum d port 85cc heads
KRE North Wind intake
Comp cams HYD Roller cam, custom grind
Ross Custom pistons
Ohio crankshaft 4.25 stroke

that are the main parts
Should be around 480ci

do you want all the information :)
i've got the quote.

[TUFF68]

do you want all the information :)

HP ?
Torque ?

[smote]

600 hp
650 ft lbs torque

[TUFF68]

600 hp
650 ft lbs torque
:eek: Your rear tyres won't last long with those figures :D

[smote]

yeah thats what i'm looking for :D

[AUSCAMARO]

600 hp
650 ft lbs torque

very nice:d

[TUFF68]

yeah thats what i'm looking for :D
and even if your not looking for - mid 10sec 1/4's ;)

[69coupe]

hey peter, if i may ask where and what price did you pay for your GM ZZ502?

Ben sent you a email

[chevguy]

hi guys,

I'm currently in the process of importing a built up engine from Tin Indian Performance for my 67 Bird.

what experiences have you guys had with receiving an already tuned engine from the states?

will i have any issue with the petrol or re-tuning?

regards,
Luke

Wonder if it's the same tin indian mob that brought a doorslammer to australia( willys coupe from memory) of the same name. really nice blokes if it`s them, met them at our local strip.

[upexpies]

i have just recently ordered a crate engine from shafiroff in march but havent seen it yet but it takes a while for them to build it and dyno etc. Dont be surprised if its 6-8 weeks delivery

[6t8]

i have just recently ordered a crate engine from shafiroff in march but havent seen it yet but it takes a while for them to build it and dyno etc. Dont be surprised if its 6-8 weeks delivery

Gday Tony , order my Shafiroff late last year,it took 3 weeks to build and 4 days to get here.Barry...:confused:

[upexpies]

Barry,
Engine arrived the wait time was due to shipping being held up
all over the world due to the volcano thing in iceland.
Anyway finally got everything.

[6t8]

Barry,
Engine arrived the wait time was due to shipping being held up
all over the world due to the volcano thing in iceland.
Anyway finally got everything.

Thats good news Tony.Now enjoy !!!

[upexpies]

Thats good news Tony.Now enjoy !!!

Barry, is yours a 540 shafiroff?

[6t8]

Barry, is yours a 540 shafiroff?

It is a 540 Ultra street.

[UNRULY]

Just a quick question fellas. I am considering a Shafiroff motor and am wondering about the costs involved in getting it here. Can someone break it down for me so I know how much to budget for it. eg :
Initial cost in $US
shipping fees (either air freight from shafiroff, or others shipping it for you)
GST and other fees.

Cheers

Mark

[cam67]

Just a quick question fellas. I am considering a Shafiroff motor and am wondering about the costs involved in getting it here. Can someone break it down for me so I know how much to budget for it. eg :
Initial cost in $US
shipping fees (either air freight from shafiroff, or others shipping it for you)
GST and other fees.

Cheers

Mark

Mark

I assume you have seen their website for different combos but the example for the "Real Street 540" is as follows:
-Base motor costs (minus carb, dizzy etc) US$9950
- they offer shipping US$850 via ship and US$1850 by air (you probably can get it cheaper via an Aus shipper)
- assume 0.95 exchange rate (banks take their cut), the shipped engine will cost A$11,370 (assume ship transport)
- add 10% GST - A$1137
- no import duty
- total A$12,500 approx

I think I have covered it all.

cheers

[UNRULY]

Thanks for the reply. I have seen the website and have my eyes on a tuff SBC. Just wanted to know if there was any hidden costs that blow the final cost out.

Cheers.

[cam67]

no problems. I would dearly love the 540ci from Shafiroff but worry about the lack of warranty coverage in Aust. Bear that in mind in your decision making. I am therefore inclined to go for the GM Performance or Blueprint crate motors which have warranty here (albeit in the east coast for me).

cheers

[natrally aspirated]

no problems. I would dearly love the 540ci from Shafiroff but worry about the lack of warranty coverage in Aust. Bear that in mind in your decision making. I am therefore inclined to go for the GM Performance or Blueprint crate motors which have warranty here (albeit in the east coast for me).

cheers

Hi all I am new here but hope to be of help I can build better engines than all of those crate supplyers. I am a specialty BBC engine builder but if you are all happy with those gm crate motors and shafiroff stuff thats okay hope you all enjoy them but i do cater for the more qaulty versions.

I do custom engines and dont use chinese internal parts and heads like sharioff does unless the budget is so tight there is no option.

just for those intrested in crate engine have a look at these they are all top qaulity parts no chinese stuff and is cheaper than Shafiroff even with same options. http://www.steveschmidtracing.com/short-blocks/509-523-540-combinations
Just compare im building a 540 with afr 335 heads and roller solid 800hp pump gas engine now im also doing a custom 572 short deck with about 900hp for myself on pump gas totaly drivable but these do cost a little more.:D

[TOA]

Smote,

You happy with Tin Indian? I'm doing my homework now on KRE, TIP, Butler, Pro-Formance...

Looking for 530HP (max) Pontiac 400 stroker (460cid), Edelbrock heads, TorkerII Manifold, Hyd roller cam and roller rockers. March serpentine with AC & PS.
Hoping for build and dyno, crate and freight for $15k max

[smote]

:( still actually paying the engine off, a couple things have come up which have pushed back payments for a couple months.

Will be hopefully finishing payments up early next year.

Annoys me just thinking about it :mad:

But i can say that communicating and organising with him payments and general information have been great and without any hassles.

hope that helps.

ps - just throw them each an email and see how the initial replies are.

[gke60]

http://www.sdperformance.com/
these guys are good to deal with, dave is one of the best head guys around...

[natrally aspirated]

I Have a brand new Merlin 509 600hp here for sale if anyone intrested was brought in for a customer then he sold the car and left me with the engine going cheap 11500 or 13k with custom hpc extractors and mandral bend twin 3 inch systym exhaust will suit camaro
my number is 0414905269 be quick this engine is also advertised else where

[TOA]

I'm waiting to hear back from Marcel at sdperformance, he's been great so far.

Have emailed KRE, TIP, Butler, Proformance, Eddiesvalvegringing, Nitemare Performance, Roland Racingand one other...

So far it seems like half of them don't even read what I've asked for and reference a link to one of their standard builds.

Will update...

[tezza101]

I Have a brand new Merlin 509 600hp here for sale if anyone intrested was brought in for a customer then he sold the car and left me with the engine going cheap 11500 or 13k with custom hpc extractors and mandral bend twin 3 inch systym exhaust will suit camaro
my number is 0414905269 be quick this engine is also advertised else where

woah... six months too early for me...

[natrally aspirated]

woah... six months too early for me...

dont worry mate i can help you out when your ready i bring them in and buid them myself too to any spec :)

[CH3V]

I Have a brand new Merlin 509 600hp here for sale if anyone intrested was brought in for a customer then he sold the car and left me with the engine going cheap 11500 or 13k with custom hpc extractors and mandral bend twin 3 inch systym exhaust will suit camaro
my number is 0414905269 be quick this engine is also advertised else where

Do you still have the motor

[smote]

Oh yeah!
My Tin Indian engine will be finished soon and then shipped home!!

:confused: problem is, the car wont be ready for it.
maybe i should have worked the body and paint first...

anyway, seeing as it will arrive and not go straight into the car,
what is the best way to store it?

i have an engine stand ready for it.

[natrally aspirated]

CH#v yes motor is still available or i can do a custom new spec one at any time but the merlin 509 is available you will need to contact me personaly to see it itis in Thornlands brisbane.

as for Smote if the engine was built with assembly lube and not oil it can be stored for a long time but if its a crate engine it most likly be a rush together job with engine oil if so just spray wd 40
down the plug holes for about 4 seconds each and wind it over a few times this will stop rings sticking and keep them wet also spray heaps down intake and when you wind it over it will lube the valve heads and seats cause these will corode very fast if there is a hint of moisture but you will be fine if you do this it cant hurt anything.

[pfb67]

Hi Smote, How did you go with importing from Kevin. Looks like I'm going to miss the container I had organised due to delays his end, just curious who you ended up using?
Mike

[smote]

Hi Smote, How did you go with importing from Kevin. Looks like I'm going to miss the container I had organised due to delays his end, just curious who you ended up using?
Mike

I spoke to USA to AUS but havent actually finalised anything yet.

Kevin is going to take some Professional shots of the engine after sprucing it up a bit then will let me know its ready for shipping.

USA to AUS said $450 (or $400, cannot recall) for shipping an engine.
all i had to do was get it to their warehouse overseas. he said about 6 - 8 weeks wait time.)

any other companies worth looking into?

oh yeah, he also mentioned i would have to organise insurance and tracking myself though could also be mistaken.

[Nev68]

I spoke to USA to AUS but havent actually finalised anything yet.

Kevin is going to take some Professional shots of the engine after sprucing it up a bit then will let me know its ready for shipping.

USA to AUS said $450 (or $400, cannot recall) for shipping an engine.
all i had to do was get it to their warehouse overseas. he said about 6 - 8 weeks wait time.)

any other companies worth looking into?

oh yeah, he also mentioned i would have to organise insurance and tracking myself though could also be mistaken.

Be very speific about when you want it.

Also be very sure you understand when it will actually get into a container and leave the US
I waited a lot longer than most would consider resaonable for my 12 bolt!!

[pfb67]

The guy doing my resto use's California Shipping. I don't think I'm going to be patient enough to wait for his next container.

[TOA]

USA to AUS brought my Firebird in for me, Phildid a pretty good job.
Then I ordered a 12 bolt Moser, in June 2010 and it's still not here yet (although I'm assured it's just arrived)

My engine is being built by SD Performance, should almost be complete and I'm flying it in. $1200-$1400 ish I think.

[natrally aspirated]

im still waiting on mufflers i got in may last year not going to use them again ever i have had drips adrabs of all my gear turn up in the last 12 months and never tells you a straight up answer to when you get stuff iv had to reorder several items due to them being so slo.

---------- Post added at 12:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:17 AM ----------

oh also dynod my personally built 572 today it made 837hp not bad for a streeter 200hp ahead of a gm crate engine and about 7k cheaper too.
nines here i come

[Detailed]

7K cheaper :o so like 9g?

[18htan]

I am getting my 383 in for $250. With Baltons. Now that might be mates rates, but I have had a few things come in with them now.

Very happy and easy to deal with. As always, difficult to get in touch with. The man you want to speak to is Glenn.

http://www.baltons.com/Home.html

[guffer]

I am getting my 383 in for $250. With Baltons. Now that might be mates rates, but I have had a few things come in with them now.

Very happy and easy to deal with. As always, difficult to get in touch with. The man you want to speak to is Glenn.

http://www.baltons.com/Home.html

Just hope your luck continues with them, a mate of mine bought a `68 Impala in july 2010, the thing went missing for 3 months, and the dude from boltons wouldn`t return calls, his `68 Firebird just arrived witha sh?t load of damage down the left side and the new rag top is stuffed from oil stains off whatever was loaded above it in container, he Not happy Jan ! :eek:

[18htan]

Sh*t Shane...

I have had nothing but brilliant service, with zero issues.

I guess it now comes back to how well they handle the stuff up

So were the cars insured, has he lodged a claim?

[guffer]

Sh*t Shane...

I have had nothing but brilliant service, with zero issues.

I guess it now comes back to how well they handle the stuff up

So were the cars insured, has he lodged a claim?

I think the only insurance for car imports is for total loss, but I`m not certain, he is still looking into it
Right now all he wants to do is to go visit boltons with the Professional Russian, if you get my drift, real shame about the f/bird its a mess