Costs of machining bottom end

[zossy1]

Hi guys,

As some of you know, we have had some trouble with our most recent engine build that has forced us to pretty much start from scratch with a new bottom end.

We have just had a fresh block (formerly at stock bore) acid dipped, bored out and honed, and also the tunnel line honed.

We had a reputable shop do the work and it came up very nice indeed, but I was surprised at the cost ($740).

Is this par for the course? Any comparable experiences? Maybe the cost is fine and I'm just getting tired of constantly forking over money for this damn car... But it did seem like a lot of $$ to me.

[NitroDann]

50% more than id expect. Its not outrageous if the quality of the shop is so good that you never have to think about it.

Dann

[zossy1]

I've never dealt with them before but they came highly recommended by another racer we have known for many, many years. The work certainly looks the goods and the bores and piston-to-bore clearances are all spot on.

Thanks Dann - might have a chat you you next time we need something like this done and get a recommendation beforehand.

[hks_kansei]

Seems pretty normal.

my GF paid about the same for a Holden straight six to be machined etc.

Granted, hers also included things like new cam bearings and a few other little bits.
I can't remember if it included the new crank and pistons though?

[NitroDann]

Straight 6 has 50% more things to machine.

[Caffeine]

From a recent rebuild of my engine from a very highly respected workshop;

Bore and hone block $231.00 GST
Machine deck $88.00 GST
Chem clean block and parts $132.00 GST
Full balance $203.50 GST
Crack test crank $77.00 GST
Polish crank journals $66.00 GST

$800 or so.

Plus lots of labour in stripping down the engine and reassembling it.

[tbro]

Hey Chris,
Sonic test x 2 blocks,
Dip and clean blocks,
tunnel align and bore block,
Deck block
Crack test, grind crank, nitrite and drill & chamfer oil galleries
Balance
Check straightness of rods and test for hardness
Same shop that Gary Stewart uses, Total $800.00 so your is comparable.
Mind you it took 2 goes at having everything done as the first shop had the parts for 5 weeks and still farking around so I spat the dummy, went and picked up everything
paid for the sonic testing and then took it all to Engine Engineering @ Rocklea.

Mike Dyer up @ Mona Vale use to do our race stuff from Group C's, A's, appendix Js and all sorts of other stuff.
Can ask who Lofty uses but apparently you wait in line for any work as they do everybodys IPRAS cars.

At least your not having to do your head, thats just off this planet as to what some charge to do them.
Thats motor racing so its always expensive!!!! (really hate that saying )

Terry

[TrackAttack]

50% more than id expect. Its not outrageous if the quality of the shop is so good that you never have to think about it.

Dann

I would never expect it to cost 50% less than he paid... Who do you use for your engine machine work?

[zossy1]

We had no balancing, dis/reassembly, block decking, etc... nothing to do with the crank at all. Only the bore, hone, acid dip and tunnel line hone.

I'm still not all that unhappy because they did a very nice job. I would certainly rather pay a bit more and get it done right first time.

[TrackAttack]

Did they do welsh plugs/cleaning oil galleries etc? Tunnel boring can be expensive but 100% use someone reputable, and don't be afraid to pay a bit more as its a job that needs to be spot on. (Much like everything else haha) Was a torque plate used for the hone? Are you using standard head bolts or ARP studs?

Maybe share the costs of the individual jobs? If you want to of course...