Engine builder that allows you to pick your own parts

[roadsteralex]

This might be an very weird question but I woud like to chat about this anyway.

As an engine builder, do you allow your customers who have certain wishes with brands, type, specs etc to pick and choose their items?
If yes, any issues with this? If no why not?

lets say a customer did their research about the parts and they have legit reasons why to use certain parts would you work with the customer or will you just decline the job?

I have been discussing this with a friend of mine, his reply is that the engine builder should use whatever they want and not really the customers wishes while i think the customers wishes should be the priority BUT the engine builder can suggest an alternative to an certain item.

Would like to know what other people think about this

 

[Dave..]

Warranty might be a problem as the engine builder would have to stand over parts he didn`t supply? I haven`t had an engine built for 30 years so could be wrong.

 

[roadsteralex]

Warranty might be a problem as the engine builder would have to stand over parts he didn`t supply? I haven`t had an engine built for 30 years so could be wrong.

I agree, however the engine builder can supply the items the customer would like instead of choosing an certain brand/type they work with i meant more.

 

[Dave..]

I agree, however the engine builder can supply the items the customer would like instead of choosing an certain brand/type they work with i meant more.

Same thing applies as you are asking the engine builder to use parts you like and they don`t normally use.

 

[natogreen16v]

I've never used anyone to build an engine for me but I'd say if you're telling them to use certain parts they don't want to and there's a failure they'll blame the parts you told them to use, rightly or wrongly.

 

[Smurf.]

Why would you go against someone that does this for a living. Surely their advice would be what you would be looking for.

 

[stevieturbo]

I agree, however the engine builder can supply the items the customer would like instead of choosing an certain brand/type they work with i meant more.

Would would he supply, install and warranty something he does not want or recommend ? That makes zero sense. And would you be happy them using parts...but telling you after there is zero warranty on any of the work ? Although for most performance parts, there isn't really any warranty given there are so many variables.

If you can convince them and they agree, that may be a different matter.

But you could have the discussion either way.

But buying cheap Chinese parts that do not fit and are poorly made.....won't be getting you off to a good start.

If the customers wishes are the priority...then the customer must also accept 100% of any liability if things do not go right, and any costs that may be incurred from that too from using said parts

 

[roadsteralex]

Would would he supply, install and warranty something he does not want or recommend ? That makes zero sense. And would you be happy them using parts...but telling you after there is zero warranty on any of the work ? Although for most performance parts, there isn't really any warranty given there are so many variables.

If you can convince them and they agree, that may be a different matter.

But you could have the discussion either way.

But buying cheap Chinese parts that do not fit and are poorly made.....won't be getting you off to a good start.

If the customers wishes are the priority...then the customer must also accept 100% of any liability if things do not go right, and any costs that may be incurred from that too from using said parts

For engine building it’s not cheap stuff, but it’s an certain compression ratio you only get from certain brand and piston combination which for example you can only buy in the US

If the engine builder is using stock rods and pistons and I’m running 20psi on it we kinda have a problem here

That’s what I meant

 

[FM155]

Would would he supply, install and warranty something he does not want or recommend ? That makes zero sense. And would you be happy them using parts...but telling you after there is zero warranty on any of the work ? Although for most performance parts, there isn't really any warranty given there are so many variables.

If you can convince them and they agree, that may be a different matter.

But you could have the discussion either way.

But buying cheap Chinese parts that do not fit and are poorly made.....won't be getting you off to a good start.

If the customers wishes are the priority...then the customer must also accept 100% of any liability if things do not go right, and any costs that may be incurred from that too from using said parts

^ This 100%^

TBF, unless you go to the likes of KGP in Donegal or AP Performance in Galway and ask them to build your K24 (which may well be a good idea in any case), nobody will warranty a hotch potch of parts that you supply. I've had recent experience of sh1t parts causing an engine which wasn't pleasant for anyone involved but luckily the supplier responsible for the offending parts coughed up for a complete set of parts to build another engine. Still a load of expense and hassle for the engine owner though.

 

[roadsteralex]

^ This 100%^

TBF, unless you go to the likes of KGP in Donegal or AP Performance in Galway and ask them to build your K24 (which may well be a good idea in any case), nobody will warranty a hotch potch of parts that you supply. I've had recent experience of sh1t parts causing an engine which wasn't pleasant for anyone involved but luckily the supplier responsible for the offending parts coughed up for a complete set of parts to build another engine. Still a load of expense and hassle for the engine owner though.

Good point, but the question remains: will they decide everything or will they talk to the customer? For example they decide to use an compression of 8:1 even though 10:1 has the best response.

Will they consider my 10:1 wish or will they do 8:1 no matter what I’m looking for?

Will they check what the customer wants or do exactly like they want? Same with cams , oem vs upgraded.

Oem chain but I would like TODA or 4Piston for example, what options do I get as customer?

 

[FM155]

They would talk to you but maybe the conclusion would be that a properly built engine is too much for a road or even occasional trackday build. It really isn't cheap to get someone to build an engine, there is a huge amount of work and specialist equipment that goes into doing it properly, especially at an outfit that has a reputation for turning out high performance engines.

 

[roadsteralex]

They would talk to you but maybe the conclusion would be that a properly built engine is too much for a road or even occasional trackday build. It really isn't cheap to get someone to build an engine, there is a huge amount of work and specialist equipment that goes into doing it properly, especially at an outfit that has a reputation for turning out high performance engines.

So basically better just to buy an engine from the US

I was told I should do more stuff locally and get less parts from the US.

 

[stevieturbo]

Good point, but the question remains: will they decide everything or will they talk to the customer? For example they decide to use an compression of 8:1 even though 10:1 has the best response.

Will they consider my 10:1 wish or will they do 8:1 no matter what I’m looking for?

Will they check what the customer wants or do exactly like they want? Same with cams , oem vs upgraded.

Oem chain but I would like TODA or 4Piston for example, what options do I get as customer?

You get what you pay for and if you force decisions, you also take any liabilities that go with them. Everyone has a choice...and if the builder chooses not to wish to build what you want, it's as simple as go somewhere else or do it yourself.

And your engine builder will not care what CR you think you can use. Your fuel, your tuner might have an opinion on what is sensible too. But options and choices are endless.

And how do you know 10.0:1 has the "best response" ? so it's better than 10.1:1 ? or 9.9:1 ? And has someone given verifiable evidence from thorough testing with your exact same build, the same fuel, the same conditions that is is "the best"...which is another huge variable.

Don't get too carried away with what you read on American forums though. Or just buy an engine package from the US.

Trying to use multiple parties throughout...can easily turn to ****, with blame firing in all directions if there is a problem. Just something obvious to bare in mind.

And as mentioned before, starting with poorly made, poorly fitting Chinese parts.....it wouldn't inspire any reputable builder.

 

[gary1365]

If it’s a k24 you’re building do you need it built. Can the k series engines no make good power turbo with standard internals.

 

[PaulYDP]

If you know more than the engine builder then you’re using the wrong engine builder IMO.

I got a fully forged low compression engine built last year for turbo charging what would normally be an NA engine and I didn’t question one thing of the engine builder as i trusted him as he’s built 100’s of engines and hasn’t just googled stuff. He had the pistons built by CP in the US to his exact standards to give the compression ratio he knows works etc.

You need to use an engine builder that’s built the same engines before and knows exactly what to build, not some joe bloggs that can screw things together. All just my opinion of course.

 

[roadsteralex]

If it’s a k24 you’re building do you need it built. Can the k series engines no make good power turbo with standard internals.

They can but it’s always better to build

If you know more than the engine builder then you’re using the wrong engine builder IMO.

I got a fully forged low compression engine built last year for turbo charging what would normally be an NA engine and I didn’t question one thing of the engine builder as i trusted him as he’s built 100’s of engines and hasn’t just googled stuff. He had the pistons built by CP in the US to his exact standards to give the compression ratio he knows works etc.

You need to use an engine builder that’s built the same engines before and knows exactly what to build, not some joe bloggs that can screw things together. All just my opinion of course.

Yes that would work indeed, but I don’t know anyone who works with Honda Kseries over here

 

[Smurf.]

I just had my skyline engine rebuilt. I was asked what power I had in mind etc. Engine was stripped I was gave a shopping list and that was that. With all due respect buy nothing from aliexpress related to engine building or tuning.

 

[roadsteralex]

I just had my skyline engine rebuilt. I was asked what power I had in mind etc. Engine was stripped I was gave a shopping list and that was that. With all due respect buy nothing from aliexpress related to engine building or tuning.

Yeah I found another manifold I’m asking about.. 700 ex shipping and taxes

Grassroots Honda K20 / K24 Aluminum Intake Manifold Kit

Grassroots Performance is now offering complete aluminum fabricated intake manifold kits for Honda K20 / K24 motors that come factory in a Civic, RSX, TSX, TL, others. This intake is made of all aluminum and is hand welded all the way around. Velocity stacks feed into a high volume plenum that...

grassrootsparts.com

 

[Rooneyrocket]

Skunk2 ultra race series manifold is the one your after

 

[roadsteralex]

Skunk2 ultra race series manifold is the one your after

Those don’t have an 74mm TB opening.
I have a 74mm Tb

 

[Rooneyrocket]

Skunk2 do 74mm throttle body also

 

[roadsteralex]

Skunk2 do 74mm throttle body also

Strange I’ve been looking everywhere but can only find 71mm or 87mm

 

[Rooneyrocket]

SKUNK2 74MM PRO SERIES THROTTLE BODY HONDA K-SERIES

Skunk2 is proud to introduce its 74mm Pro Series Throttle Body for Honda's K-series engines in its exclusive, hard anodized finish.

www.tegiwaimports.com

 

[roadsteralex]

SKUNK2 74MM PRO SERIES THROTTLE BODY HONDA K-SERIES

Skunk2 is proud to introduce its 74mm Pro Series Throttle Body for Honda's K-series engines in its exclusive, hard anodized finish.

www.tegiwaimports.com

I have an 74mm TB already but the IM need to be 74mm as well not 71mm

 

[Rooneyrocket]

The ultra race series intake mani has 90mm tb opening.