BIG Boost LTX Engine Builders

[BLK WS6]

Maybe some of the big dogs can help here. I'm looking for a reputable engine builders good with at least 15+ lbs of boost and at least is familiar with the lt1 platform and its limitations. Hopefully is knowledgeable about newer options like e85. I'm willing to travel or ship as needed. We have good local engine builders but none I trust with this type of build. I have talked with Lloyd and he suggested Kim Barr racing engines near Dallas. Anyone heard of him? I'm out of Little Rock, AR so the closer the better.

Troy, bigcat, anyone?

Thanks

[CamaroZGuy]

cant give much help since my builder stepped down but i think you are close to @noice (http://ltxtech.com/forums/member.php?5300-noice) and they may be able to give some assistance.

@Ryan Stout (http://ltxtech.com/forums/member.php?994-Ryan-Stout) @ZOHAN (http://ltxtech.com/forums/member.php?5047-ZOHAN) Fastbird @BIG CAT (http://ltxtech.com/forums/member.php?3572-BIG-CAT) might have some input also (only boosted buys i can think of off the top of my head)

[Tyler Wheat]

Bet the brothers could get you pointed in the right direction with someone.

[Fastbird]

Mine, Call 911's, and BlackbirdWS6's motors were all built by Fonse Performance in Erial NJ. We were all local which was convenient. HOWEVER, BlackbirdWS6 recently found some issues with his that was causing oil consumption. Mine is experiencing very close to what his was. Call 911's has been trouble free.

[noice]

The machine shop i use is no longer open to the public, there is one guy i know in Rogers that has built LT1s, he builds everything from top alcohol funny car to circle track racing.

[Injuneer]

Not close, but Second Street Speed in Perkasie, PA has built reliable 1,000+ HP S/C LT1's. See photo below.

http://secondstreetspeed.com/

[SSlowBoat]

Not close, but Second Street Speed in Perkasie, PA has built reliable 1,000+ HP S/C LT1's. See photo below.

http://secondstreetspeed.com/

He had a motec equipped vortech supercharged 95 ss down there with cast iron manifolds makin 505whp when my buddy got his cobra tuned by him.

[BLK WS6]

Mine, Call 911's, and BlackbirdWS6's motors were all built by Fonse Performance in Erial NJ. We were all local which was convenient. HOWEVER, BlackbirdWS6 recently found some issues with his that was causing oil consumption. Mine is experiencing very close to what his was. Call 911's has been trouble free.
See if you finished that with "and all three us have had zero issues out of our engines" I would be calling Mr. Fonse. Keep them coming...i have checked out all the suggestions so far.

[blackbirdws6]

Fonse did not build the motor but machined the block. I assembled the engine myself but it drank oil like crazy. I recently had it pulled apart and I basically had under bored/oval cylinders. The engine never missed a beat though which was strange. I had my engine rebuilt by Ellwein Racing Engines in MD. Great guy to deal with and he has built many boosted LT1s. His attention to detail and communication are excellent. Check out his website and go through the builds. Mine is #48. I'm running a blower at about 19lbs.

[Fastbird]

Fonse did not build the motor but machined the block. I assembled the engine myself but it drank oil like crazy. I recently had it pulled apart and I basically had under bored/oval cylinders. The engine never missed a beat though which was strange. I had my engine rebuilt by Ellwein Racing Engines in MD. Great guy to deal with and he has built many boosted LT1s. His attention to detail and communication are excellent. Check out his website and go through the builds. Mine is #48. I'm running a blower at about 19lbs.

Didn't know that. I was under the impression Fonse built your entire motor. My bad.

I'll caveat mine with this: Mine sat on a stand unbagged (hangs head in shame) for 3 years while I was compiling parts. Valve seals dried out for sure, and I compounded that by dumping return oil from the turbo in on the heads too. I was getting a noticeable puff of smoke on throttle close, and smoke hazing at idle. I relocated the turbo oil return to the back of the manifold (where the distributor would have been) and that helped out the idle hazing a TON. But I haven't been able to track oil consumption because there was a massive leak that I've later rectified while doing other things (combination of manifold and valve covers). I'll know a lot more in a few weeks after I get the valve seals swapped and the car back together.

[blackbirdws6]

Didn't know that. I was under the impression Fonse built your entire motor. My bad.

No worries. I should have checked the machine work but I guess you can call it a learning experience. I can hang my hat on the car taking all the boost I tossed at it, three track rentals and plenty of street action without falling apart. I honestly couldn't recommend Fonse based on my experience. Every business has their good and bad days.

[Fastbird]

I talked with Ben, and he says he only adds 1/2 to 3/4 a quart per oil change, so his isn't drinking oil at all really. His is good. Mine should be good (it's seen some abuse already and was thrashed on the dyno with about 250-300 miles on it), at least I'm hoping things clear up.

[BLK WS6]

I've heard of Ellwein Engines from years past but I can't remember if they have a good reputation or not lol. I may be getting them confused with Golen.

[SSlowBoat]

you are, golens reputation really went downhill with poor machine work etc. Ellwein is the man. His attention to detail is unbeatable. the man knows his stuff.

[BIG CAT]

Sorry I don't know of any builders that do any lt1's. I have a local machine shop the does my machine work and I handle the rest.

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[shadowbandit]

Aes automotive engine specialist our of glen Ellen they more then likely will be building mine