It would appear that if you dig deeply enough you'll hear something negative about any engine builder. I had heard good things about SA and was impressed with their very good web site. My FE had just given up the ghost and I was tired of shopping around and was ready to go for the full treatment 427 Sideoiler. I sent two detailed email messages and even talked to someone there who said the best person to talk to was out. I told him I was ready to do business and asked them to get back with me ASAP. They never called, they never wrote. I thought it over and decided that if this is how responsive they were before I purchased their product, how were they going to be if there were any glitches?
In spite of the enormous price, I decided to go with the real deal. My Shelby motor is very impressive, and it is real, if not original. But to paraphrase the formally funny Dennis Miller, "But that's just my experience, yours could be different."
Rich