I recently picked up a short block this weekend for $65 bucks (came with stock pistons, rings, rods, oil pan - which is slightly dented, had 80,000 miles and no machine work) and I will be sending it to Vtengines. Their work and shop looks amazing but I am judging this based on pictures I've seen on their website. Their prices seem very good and the only drawback is that you do not get a choice of compression ratio for the CP pistons (they are 8.8 to 1). However, getting the parts and the machine shop work for $1600 is a very good deal as you could easily spend $1,000 just on rings, pistons, rods, and bearings (plus it comes assembled). Here's my questions:

How does everyone like their work?

Will they paint the block for you (of course I would assume an additional charge) or is this something I will have to do ahead of time?

What freight shipping company did you use?
I have called two freight shippers
- Fed-Ex $109.00 if you drop off at distribution center, $158 for door pickup
- Yellow Freight $139.00 if you drop off at distribution center, $312 for door pickup

I thought the FED-EX shipping charge isn't bad. I also have a relative that works for FED-EX so I might be able to get an employee discount (though he works for Ground Fed-Ex and not Freight). We'll see.

Btw, I've seen some questions in other posts about a trade in program with Vtengines (having VT supply the block and then once you install it you send your short block back). I have called Vtengines about this and they said you must supply the block. The guy that I spoke with on the phone said that there are some random times when they do have an extra 420a block and crank lying around.

Thanks in advance,
Kurt

I live about 10 minutes away from VT and I am there once or twice a week since I am friends with Nick. I know every employee there and they are all extremely intelligent at what they do. There machinery is state of the art (as you can see) and I have seen some amazing things come out of that shop. The guy who will be working on your motor (except for the machine work) will be Nick most likely. I know he will paint it and he probably wont charge you for it, but im not totally sure on that one. I know that for shipping, it will be cheaper if you say that you are a business. Just tell the shipping company that you are "Bob's racing" or something and the price will be lower. I think the company that most people use is American Freight, but im not 100% sure on that one either. By the way, VT will have a stand set up at the Shootout I believe if some of you want to go meet some of their guys.

Thanks for the response. I will call them tomorrow to find out about painting the block. I don't mind paying extra but it definitely would look much nicer with a new coat of paint. I will probably be shipping it out in the next week or two as I first need to build a crate to ship it in.

From the guys I talked to on the phone recently, they are definitely very helpful and knowledgeable.

Thanks,
Kurt

Even if they dont paint the block, or charge to do it, you can do it yourself. Its just high temp engine enamel on there. I did mine easily wiht not even a half can of paint. A can of that is no more than 5 bucks, and a few minutes of your time..

Right, I agree. I would paint it if they didn't do it. I just figured it would be easier if they could do it all in one shot. This way it has less of a chance of being damaged in shipping or while on the machines.

Just curious, is all the work for 13 psi worth it? Do you see a big difference in power? I've never been in a 420a with 13 psi.

Thanks,
Kurt

heh, 13 psi is worth it. then 15... then 18...

13 psi feels great, much better than 8 or even 10 psi. From 8 to 13 psi, its a very nice differene, going from 10 to 13 isnt as much fun, but you can def feel it. Even now at 13, i want more...its just not fast enough yet haha.. I think i will be pretty satisfied to run 18-20 psi on a S20G next year :) With a built motor, is SOOOOO nice not having to worry constantly about boost spikes ,or doing piston ring land damage from too much power..of course you still have to be tuned good ..

or having your tranny go out... speaking of which, how is yours running matt?

>or having your tranny go out... speaking of which, how is
>yours running matt?

Ohh lets see here...it BACK ON THE FUCKING GROUND! The clutch disk is fucked up...what a bitch..its getting fixed today and put back in..i hope :o

Yeah VT rocks. I'm going to kick nick in the balls when i see him. heh j/k. Im just upset that i wont have the eclipse ready for the shootout this weekend. Matt how long did it take them to do your block? They have had mine for a month now... they said 2 weeks. And then they told this kid from ramchargers (that i told to take his 4g63 up there) that its the fastest turnaround yet. grrrr The wait will be well worth it i am sure, but I really wanted to race in the shootout. Even tho i would get spanked. :o


EDIT:
WOO HOO! The motor will be done tomarrow! Looks like im going to have all kinds of fun stuff to play with tomarrow!! :thumbsup

I hope I can get it in the car in time. I don't plan on coming down to norwalk untill saturday morn so If everything works out (which it probably wont) I will bring the eclipse. boy am i happy. :D