A few questions for the pro engine builders out there...
How important is it to you to be 'in touch' with your customers regarding their build, from the machining to the recommendation of parts and component choices? Do you leave it up to the customer to decide what he or she wants, or try to steer them in the direction you know will work best for them based on your experience? Do you stay in contact with them, or wait for them to contact you?
Just curious.
Very important! I always ask I the customer what their expectations and budgets are, and then I ask I what their vehicle combination is. At that point, I start steering them in the direction my knowledge and experience tells me they need to go. When that motor goes out the door, it has my name all over it, so I'm not willing to build a motor that doesn't have the right combination, because the customer insists on certain parts. At that point, they should consider building the engine themselves, because they aren't getting what they are paying me for, a solid professionally built engine.
For example, a customer wants a street engine that is fun to drive, runs on pump gas, fits under a stock hood, makes 600hp, and sounds really nasty, in a 3800# street car with 3.91 gears and a 2800 converter. Well, "sounds really nasty" means a cam that is way to big for the rest of the combination, and 600hp with a manifold low enough to fit under a stock hood is a bit challenging, especially while trying to keep the power within the rpm range of the rest of the combination. So, what do you do? You spend 2 hours explaining what needs to be done to reach MOST of his expectations. This was an actual customer, and he got his 600hp and then some. What he didn't get was a nasty sounding motor that needed a bunch of rpm to make power, while sacrificing street manners with his combination. He still sends me messages saying how pleased he is with the performance. If I had built that motor exactly the way he thought he wanted it, he would have been disappointed, and my reputation would have been damaged.
When it comes to machining, if they are building the motor, you can't possibly know what they are doing, so I give them what they ask for. If I don't, the liability is on me.
I may ask questions if something doesn't sound right to help them avoid a mistake, but they are ultimately responsible for the build.
I usually only call the customer if there is some issue, like backordered parts delaying the build, or if they need to send more money. Otherwise, more time on the phone, is less time getting their motor built.