408 Stroker Short Block Details: Blueprint Engines

[12many]

You know, I was going to stay out of this but you keep dragging it up. So I'll help you out. I worked in production engine rebuilding shops. They make money three ways. They by parts in bulk and get a big break. They cut corners, especially on **** like balancing, finish honing, setting clearances and accurate machining. Third, they blow you up on the warranty.

So I'm not talking out of my ***. I'm TELLING you from experience. They can't do it any cheaper than any one else except by what I posted. I'd bet everything I have that your balance job is at least, AT LEAST 10-15 grams off. Will you know it? No. But I would have. I'd catch it on the balancer and I'd make it under 5 grams for a street car. That's how they make their money.

Oh yeah, they pay like ****, most people that work there aren't machinists and only do what they are told and have no idea why they do or don't do something. They don't know if it's right or wrong or what it should be.

So there you have it. From EXPERIENCE. You may get lucky. You may not.

BTW, bet they didn't use a torque plate on it either.

Not keeping dragging nothing up. I've read your post which is almost almost word for word to previous posts youve made in the past to others in similar situations. You've assumed I'm clueless about how the "build" world works. Well aware as far as I need to know. I do as much as possible, if I had the money id buy the machines and do it all myself! It is what it is, So you're not helping me out, you're not setting me straight. Like I posted earlier, for what I was going to do originally, what I can afford, time, etc, this is better than what I was planning. Just showing what I can here for many that have an interest in these, and as is obvious there are many. Thanks

 

[yellow rose]

Not keeping dragging nothing up. I've read your post which is almost almost word for word to previous posts youve made in the past to others in similar situations. You've assumed I'm clueless about how the "build" world works. Well aware as far as I need to know. I do as much as possible, if I had the money id buy the machines and do it all myself! It is what it is, So you're not helping me out, you're not setting me straight. Like I posted earlier, for what I was going to do originally, what I can afford, time, etc, this is better than what I was planning. Just showing what I can here for many that have an interest in these, and as is obvious there are many. Thanks

The problem is you keep saying those of us who think PER's are not that good have no experience. I can promise you I have much more experience than you.

I don't expect you to listen. You'd step over a donut to pick up a dog turd.

You've (and others) have been told how these places operate. You chose to not listen, to not exercise patience and do it your way.

Best of luck to you.

 

[12many]

Good lord.

 

[Toluene56]

I guess I'm a stupid **** for doing it my way... these dog turds sure are tasty though.

 

[12many]

Yeah, and I can't wait to install my home ported EQ heads, home ported Weiand Action Plus and Isky 280 Mega on 106LSA cam among other personally selected parts on this pile of dog turd. More like a jumbo dog turd .......mmmmmm

 

[yellow rose]

Yeah, and I can't wait to install my home ported EQ heads, home ported Weiand Action Plus and Isky 280 Mega on 106LSA cam among other personally selected parts on this pile of dog turd. More like a jumbo dog turd .......mmmmmm

BTW, I didn't say anything about your combo. I don't give a **** how you do it or what you use.

I just pointed out the FACTS about Production Engine Rebuilders. That evidently hurt your tender feelings.

 

[12many]

BTW, I didn't say anything about your combo. I don't give a **** how you do it or what you use.

I just pointed out the FACTS about Production Engine Rebuilders. That evidently hurt your tender feelings.

Ease up man. You hearing voices or think everything regards you? I'll quote you specifically so you can then reply, otherwise try sitting on your fingers while reading my posts.....

 

[SLOPAR72]

I need some cliff notes. What is you time frame on getting this in the car? I by the way am a huge fan of using local business for what I need done in regards to any given project. However without those resources I trust and given other factors I do not have a problem with buying something like this..... In the end you are the one paying the bill and I bet when all is said and done your car will haul the mail....

Why did you choose the camshaft noted? With more cubes and good heads why not take advantage of it? I would need to go back through the thread and see your compression ratio but for entertainment spill the beans lol.....

JW

 

[69_340_GTS]

Just some pics of a few details for anybody contemplating a 408 (this one is actually a 410 as it's .040" over) short block from Blueprint Engines. Finally got the short block on the engine stand ready to be assembled, checking it over closely. Looks really good, was sealed in a bag strapped to an enclosed crate that arrived intact. I'm seeing the bores at the deck and head bolt holes chamfered, underside the bores are notched for the rods, (which appear to have Chrysler part numbers), the edges of the piston skirts are chamfered, brass freeze plugs and threaded plugs installed with sealer, inside of block is very CLEAN, aside from the black paint which I'll be covering in race Hemi orange, it all looks great.

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It looks great. What cam/lifters are you going to put in that puppy? And it was recommended by who? Just curious.

 

[12many]

It looks great. What cam/lifters are you going to put in that puppy? And it was recommended by who? Just curious.

. It's any Isky 280°/232°@.050" Mega on a 106° lsa, .517" w/1.6 rocker,as to why that one etc is mentioned in one of my long dead threads!

 

[12many]

I need some cliff notes. What is you time frame on getting this in the car? I by the way am a huge fan of using local business for what I need done in regards to any given project. However without those resources I trust and given other factors I do not have a problem with buying something like this..... In the end you are the one paying the bill and I bet when all is said and done your car will haul the mail....

Why did you choose the camshaft noted? With more cubes and good heads why not take advantage of it? I would need to go back through the thread and see your compression ratio but for entertainment spill the beans lol.....

JW

Likely by next spring, I have an old old thread or two of what i planned on doing and haven't really updated it to current plans

 

[Toluene56]

threads like this are always fun.

Anyways I used a crane 285 cam in mine (285/228 [email protected]) with some :gasp: procomp heads.. once timing was dialed it doesn't really sound like it has a cam.. has boatloads of torque. But honestly I'm going to a bigger cam probably a hydraulic roller, I was eyeing a lunati 60412 maybe 60413. But 413 might be a tad much in the duration department.

 

[rrvolare]

Build what you can afford i say..........nice job....

 

[12many]

I need some cliff notes. What is you time frame on getting this in the car? I by the way am a huge fan of using local business for what I need done in regards to any given project. However without those resources I trust and given other factors I do not have a problem with buying something like this..... In the end you are the one paying the bill and I bet when all is said and done your car will haul the mail....

Why did you choose the camshaft noted? With more cubes and good heads why not take advantage of it? I would need to go back through the thread and see your compression ratio but for entertainment spill the beans lol.....

JW

Just a quick rundown on things initially. Started out doing a 360 shortblock from Carolina Machine Engines, were supposed to have cores, so went ahead and bought EQ magnum heads using standard size 1.92/1.62 valves, Hughes 1110 springs good up to .540 or so, dual plane, a 275/[email protected]" Howards hft cam, and as yet to buy 1-5/8 headers or lijely stepped, and a Thermoquad. Got a 727, I did a 3.73 w/sure-grip change in my 8-3/4" 741 case. Plan was everyday, hot rod around, little bit of strip. So heads and valve parts down to CME so they could havthings ready when I came back to pickup the shortblock, almost two months pass, kinda got the delay run around, turns out they mistakenly thought they had an la core, But nope, so then I started looking locally, no dice, said **** it, got my heads, stewed a little, still looked for a core, no luck, found a few rusty in field engines, no way, thought more, decided that for the work involved, time, money, hassle, finding a Mopar knowledgeable shop, etc etc, **** it, get a stroker shortblock. Did endless research, read reviews, on and on, new plan, do the Blueprint, now find a slightly bigger cam that'll be good with what I already have. I was gonna go Bullet Cams, as they had lobes that they could have had put on a single pattern 106lsa, all the numbers perfect based on my readings, research, but they never got back to me, isky 280 mega on 106 lsa almost the same, gave up a little lift. CME mistake really threw it up in the air, so with too much time and going to the drag strip I want more!....Short story long

 

[sireland67]

I know of two local mopar guys that bought their complete short blocks around the same time, about 3 years ago.
Guess what they are still running fine, and the guys that bought them are happy with the purchase.

 

[Howard1784]

All previous threads on this site pertaining to "Blueprint Engines" are not favorable. Many complained as stated earlier that once there was a problem with the motor the company ALWAYS blamed the customer. The dyno sheets were copies of copies. In other words, they dyno'd one motor and used those results for every motor they built. One person was named in particular as a compete fool to deal with.
That said, I understand that person is no longer with the company and the new person appeared to making changes as best as he could. Perhaps the work product has improved which would be sweet for mopar folks looking for a reliable crate motor which seems to lacking these days in the mopar world.

I would like to see some video from the company on their mopar engines and why we can have full faith in them.

 

[Johnny Mac]

This is pretty difficult to watch. Maybe real opinions could be formed after speaking with someone who sells dozens of these a week? or from someone with actual FIRST HAND experience with this company THIS DECADE, opposed to digging up decade old threads and polluting what appears to be a polite attempt of the OP to show the forum a product he spent his hard earned money on, and perhaps share a budget oriented offering with you guys?

 

[12many]

I recall reading some posts from someone actually from Blueprint that seemed to be attempting to address some of the issues people were having/raising. There's no doubt about bad dealings just as there is no doubt there are happy customers, just based on posts on this forum. One has to consider the fact most get on these forums to post problems more so than those that post their success. I see that on countless motorcycle brand specific related forums, where one might get the impression the bike is problematic. Sometimes it's a good indicator that it is in fact so, or simply people just bashing them for any number of reasons, rightly or wrongly. Bottom line IMO is, one does the research, weighs the otions, cover the bases as they best are able, decides if they can deal with any outcome and makes a choice. Not to be redundant, but again as posted earlier, from everything I've looked at so far it looks like a quality piece, assembled and packaged with care. Proper. Starting with the crate, not on a tire, not open on it's side on a pallet (I work in the LTL field, I seen it all believe me) not slapped together scraps, but solid and secure, sealed in a bag, delivered intact, not upside down laying on the pile of wood. Yeah, we ain't buying a friggin crate. I'd be considered incredibly anal and very picky, so when you go to pick up something this costly to see that is shipped professionaly is always a good start. And as I go along inspecting the actual engine I'm so far impressed. Obviously, a long way to go before it runs, we'll see. One thing I will say is the reason I decided to post my experience with this brand is because I searched and searched to find the same info from actual users, details of what you are thinking about doing. Might be out there, might not, I haven't seen it. Just maybe there are others are out there too. I get off on actually posting something that may be helpful to others, and anyways, my wife has no interest in my "show and tell" or hobby so I gotta take it somewhere else

 

[yellow rose]

This is pretty difficult to watch. Maybe real opinions could be formed after speaking with someone who sells dozens of these a week? or from someone with actual FIRST HAND experience with this company THIS DECADE, opposed to digging up decade old threads and polluting what appears to be a polite attempt of the OP to show the forum a product he spent his hard earned money on, and perhaps share a budget oriented offering with you guys?

I'm not talking about any one company. They ALL operate on the same premise. I can read the online warranty and see that while the numbers may be higher, those warranties are designed to save the engine builder money. And sometimes make the company money. That is a FACT.

In fact, I wrote a 100k/ 10 year "Gold Star" warranty program. Instead of cast rings we used moly. Instead of the standard silent chain we used a double roller. And we used all new valves and springs.

That cost the company about $50.00 and we charged the customer a $1500.00 premium for it. It did have a 100k warrant, but I wrote it, the lawyers went over it and then the owner and I signed off on it. To actually even have a warranty, we had to do the install, or an authorized center we chose. You have to have PROOF of a new water pump installed, all new hoses, a new thermostat, and had to PROVE you either had your radiator serviced or bought a new one. You had to have PROOF of oil changes every 5000k miles at the most and you couldn't just show you bought oil and a filter. You had to have a third party receipt with the mileage on it. We had a 50 point checklist that had to be filled out and sent back or no warranty.

The real idea was to charge for warranty that the customer would never use. Most people who buy an engine from places like that don't keep the car more than 3 years on average (we did the research and that's what we found) so in all likelihood we'd never even have a warranty because they didn't keep the car. We did offer an option for $750.00 that would allow a one time warranty transfer. But, they had to have all the paperwork required that the first owner had.

We never put the warranty into effect, but our early tests said about 35 per cent of our customers would go for it.

The company sold, I was fired and then it went broke.

Again, that's how the whole industry operates. I could say more. But why?

 

[Dartsun]

I bought a blueprint stroker 408 base about 8 years or so ago and have had great luck so far with about 2000 miles plenty of power and the customer service was helpful. Recently I bought a 273 4 barrel engine from a friend who had a local supposed reputable machine shop build it and within 50 miles had oil in my radiator so I fixed that with new head gasket. Then 100 miles later started missing real bad. Found out had broken valve springs. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose. Short block looks nice to me. Dustin

 

[Johnny Mac]

I could say more. But why?

I missed the part where I quoted anyone directly? and Considering the Blueprint warranty comes with the engine for free, Your post has zero relevance to anything in this thread whatsoever, especially the 408 the OP has in hand.

 

[Dusterdenovo]

Well, I drank the Kool Aid and am awaiting delivery of my Blueprint 408 Dressed. After failing on numerous attempts to find a local builder who gave a zhit about building me a small block I turned over every possible rock to learn as much as I could about this vendor before making my decision, including every post in FABO (and some of the other FxBO forums) that even remotely mentioned Blueprint. So far, I have not seen any negative feedback from someone who owns / drives one (within the last 10 years), nor have I seen any positive feedback from anyone who apparently doesn't own / drive one. I just can't incorporate statements that start with "the whole industry" etc. into my decision making processes. In due time I will also share my experiences with FABO, GOOD OR BAD.

There are at least a few BP owners on this thread right now. Im curious; did you all get photocopies of the same generic dyno sheet? Non BP customers need not respond. Thanks.

 

[yellow rose]

I missed the part where I quoted anyone directly? and Considering the Blueprint warranty comes with the engine for free, Your post has zero relevance to anything in this thread whatsoever, especially the 408 the OP has in hand.

A whole lot of butt hurt over nothing. Do what you want.

You, again, asked for experience THIS decade. I do. That's what I posted. Plus experience from past decades. If I felt like it I'd pull the blue print warranty and I'd bet I can find holes all over it.

I just told you how it worked. Figure it out.

 

[Toluene56]

Well, I drank the Kool Aid and am awaiting delivery of my Blueprint 408 Dressed. After failing on numerous attempts to find a local builder who gave a zhit about building me a small block I turned over every possible rock to learn as much as I could about this vendor before making my decision, including every post in FABO (and some of the other FxBO forums) that even remotely mentioned Blueprint. So far, I have not seen any negative feedback from someone who owns / drives one (within the last 10 years), nor have I seen any positive feedback from anyone who apparently doesn't own / drive 1. I just can't incorporate statements that start with "the whole industry" etc. Into my decision making processes. In due time I will also share my experiences with FABO, GOOD OR BAD.

There are at least a few BP owners on this thread right now. Im curious; did you all get photocopies of the same generic dyno sheet? Non BP customers need not respond. Thanks.

Short block doesn't come with dyno sheet. Sorry.

 

[SLOPAR72]

I remember when a friend opted to order a long block kit from Scott Shafiroff racing engines. Oh did he get the dirty business from the local guys..... I put it together and it came with all machine work done and ready for assembly. It went together easily and all the machine work was fine. The end result was the car ran about a 10.0 in the quarter. When the season was through he was thoroughly convinced that a local and well respected builder would get the freshen up to show everyone how it was done. More compression, porting, and the list goes on.... All the drool coming out of peoples mouths about his new bad **** motor and the car picked up barely a tenth. I laughed at all of them and said good luck in life.... So how does that story pertain to this thread? Same deal, just a different business and names....

If you want a comp motor don't go to BP... If you have the ways and means to not go to BP and get an engine done that meets your expectations alot of people are probably envious lol.... But if everything makes sense in terms of price, time, and quality for what your expectations are you probably won't go wrong getting a mail order piece like this.... In today's world something like engine rebuilding has become a task for the average person and sometimes it worth making a phone call and solving the problem....

JW