56-210Sedan
08-02-2013, 08:18 AM
I wanted to put a engine build thread together even though i have just started with my 540 build. One of the discussion points i want to include in this thread is crate engine versus building your own, the first link is a earlier discussion on this topic and i felt that it has some great advice in it on this subject http://www.trifivechevys.com/showthread.php/2230-ramjet-502-craigslist
I will list my cost so far on my build as well i will give you my source if possible and try to be as accurate as can be but one thing to remember i did not buy these item's all it once and i am one of those who shops for prices and deals sometimes for a great length of time before i pull the trigger on purchasing a item, there are some here at this site that can attest to this issue i have :eek: :D RickL said it once and it has stuck with me even though i had heard it before " Champagne dreams on a beer budget" Yep that is me seriously, but there is not turning back now;).
Engine block, Standard deck bowtie sportsman block, source City Chevrolet believe this is owned by Rick Hendrick:
http://www.citycratemotors.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?idcategory=4050&curPage=2&sortField=sku my cost at time of purchase $1,686.65 I did a price match with summit and saved on shipping but over all cost was the same.
Crankshaft: Eagle 4340 4.250 source ebay did price match with summit, my cost $595.95 free shipping.
Connecting rods: Eagle 4340 6.385 purchased from dealer on ebay $375.00 free shipping.
Pistons: JE/SRP 212161 4.500 bore small dome, dome vol. 10cc 112cc-10.8.1 118cc- 10.3.1 134cc- 9.9.1 my cost $400.00 cash deal locally, purchased for build that never happened.
Camshaft: Comp Cams 11-461-8 Duration 308/314 lift 575/575 http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=451&sb=2
Cost: $260.00 going off memory on this one so total is not exact there was some change and shipping involved, purchased from summit.
Vibration Dampner: New ATI super dampner cost $200.00 just purchased in July (2013) at Spokane Swap Meet.
Oil Pan: New never used $75.00 plus $25.00 shipping found on all of craigs.com
GMPP aluminum timing cover (black) : $75.97 purchased from summit shipping included in price.
Upper and Lower Ramjet Intake, lower used, upper brand new: $200.00 and new 502 ramjet distributor was picked up in same deal for $30.00 seller was retired form GMPP or so i was told :D
Holley new 112-503 Throttle body $125.00 bought on ebay $125.00 i paid shipping on this as well but do not have account of what i paid.
ARP 200-1502 timing cover bolts hex head $11.99 with free shipping from Jegs, Summit had them for $11.18 but wanted $4.95 for shipping.
ARP 235-1802 Oil Pan Bolts hex head Free shipping from Summit $30.96
That gets us started and i have a few other things i can add but need to locate them LOL and as you can see there are still some items to purchase one of the big ones i am sourcing and shopping is my cylinder heads i would like to use AFR 290cc # 3640 and you have gaskets, fasteners,oil pump,piston rings, which i will probably let engine builder pickup unless i possibly come across something i can not pass on :eek:
Would i ever do another build like this, No, one thing is the upper end cost for oval port stuff is very costly in my opinion and another thing is the items listed were not purchased in order so you could say i put the cart before the horse in many aspects and that seems to be the case on the entire build for my 56 i pickup things as they come along not necessarily in the order of the build.
I will list my cost so far on my build as well i will give you my source if possible and try to be as accurate as can be but one thing to remember i did not buy these item's all it once and i am one of those who shops for prices and deals sometimes for a great length of time before i pull the trigger on purchasing a item, there are some here at this site that can attest to this issue i have :eek: :D RickL said it once and it has stuck with me even though i had heard it before " Champagne dreams on a beer budget" Yep that is me seriously, but there is not turning back now;).
Engine block, Standard deck bowtie sportsman block, source City Chevrolet believe this is owned by Rick Hendrick:
http://www.citycratemotors.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?idcategory=4050&curPage=2&sortField=sku my cost at time of purchase $1,686.65 I did a price match with summit and saved on shipping but over all cost was the same.
Crankshaft: Eagle 4340 4.250 source ebay did price match with summit, my cost $595.95 free shipping.
Connecting rods: Eagle 4340 6.385 purchased from dealer on ebay $375.00 free shipping.
Pistons: JE/SRP 212161 4.500 bore small dome, dome vol. 10cc 112cc-10.8.1 118cc- 10.3.1 134cc- 9.9.1 my cost $400.00 cash deal locally, purchased for build that never happened.
Camshaft: Comp Cams 11-461-8 Duration 308/314 lift 575/575 http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=451&sb=2
Cost: $260.00 going off memory on this one so total is not exact there was some change and shipping involved, purchased from summit.
Vibration Dampner: New ATI super dampner cost $200.00 just purchased in July (2013) at Spokane Swap Meet.
Oil Pan: New never used $75.00 plus $25.00 shipping found on all of craigs.com
GMPP aluminum timing cover (black) : $75.97 purchased from summit shipping included in price.
Upper and Lower Ramjet Intake, lower used, upper brand new: $200.00 and new 502 ramjet distributor was picked up in same deal for $30.00 seller was retired form GMPP or so i was told :D
Holley new 112-503 Throttle body $125.00 bought on ebay $125.00 i paid shipping on this as well but do not have account of what i paid.
ARP 200-1502 timing cover bolts hex head $11.99 with free shipping from Jegs, Summit had them for $11.18 but wanted $4.95 for shipping.
ARP 235-1802 Oil Pan Bolts hex head Free shipping from Summit $30.96
That gets us started and i have a few other things i can add but need to locate them LOL and as you can see there are still some items to purchase one of the big ones i am sourcing and shopping is my cylinder heads i would like to use AFR 290cc # 3640 and you have gaskets, fasteners,oil pump,piston rings, which i will probably let engine builder pickup unless i possibly come across something i can not pass on :eek:
Would i ever do another build like this, No, one thing is the upper end cost for oval port stuff is very costly in my opinion and another thing is the items listed were not purchased in order so you could say i put the cart before the horse in many aspects and that seems to be the case on the entire build for my 56 i pickup things as they come along not necessarily in the order of the build.