Rousch Engines $$$$

[sparks]

why r these things so costly and r they really worth it or is it just a name?

[Maricopa]

The extra dollars go to add capitals and the letters 'a' and 'e'.

[sparks]

It Seems I Can Get An Aluminum 427fe From P.e. For Around 14k...the Same As The Rousch Carb. 427 Dart....

[mln385]

First off it is ROUSH....(Yes I am ANAL about the spelling )secondly compare apples for apples from the crank to the water pump and starter that ROUSH includes in their motor.

Also don't forget the 2 year 24k warranty where if something goes wrong with the motor ROUSH will pay the dealer to remove and ship for repair as well as re- install.

Will PE do that?? Is the PE dyno tested and run in prior to shipping.
I am not saying anything negative against PE just compare apples to apples is all.

[MrMagoo]

We just had a big thread about a guy who had excess oil consumption, and the way that Roush handled that was exemplary. I think Keith Craft, Roush, Performance Engineering (just to use some examples) all do a fine job regarding building a motor, and servicing the customer. That extra money for Roush funds a bigger operation with more resources, they do a little more R&D and vendors like MSD have special part numbers for Roush motors, which makes the Roush motors more like production than custom. The smaller shops like KC and PE give you a more personal touch, it's nice to talk to Keith with his 30 years of racing experience behind him. Your motor can be more unique, built to your exact specs. That can be good and bad depending....

I'm thinking that it might be less stressful in the event of a problem motor to deal with Roush, especially after some time has gone by. Of course Roush also has some fine print in their contracts which has caused comment on these forums.

[madmaxx]

"I'm thinking that it might be less stressful in the event of a problem motor to deal with Roush. Of course Roush also has some fine print in their contracts which has caused comment on these forums".

I disagree, and I am a 100% proponent of Roush. I feel your response with PE or Keith Craft would be exponentially quicker than Roush. Roush also has some fine print, they do not seam to push it but with my luck they would.

Yes I would absolutely take a Roush over another builder at the same price BUT if the other builders are less expensive with the same components then now it is back to wants and needs. The reason for Roush over other builder at the same price is everytime I open the hood and someone sees the engine their tongue drops out when the see Roush. Roush is like Rolex, extremely proficient at advertising.

If the differnce was a Roush 402 as compared to a KC427 for the same price I would take the KC427 since it has more power but real or imaginary in my mind not as much wow factor.

In summary the Roush I have in my SPF has been absolutely flawless since I received the car, PE did the install. I also know PE had to swap carburators with Roush due to a stumbling issue, so if I would have purchased directly from Roush I wonder what Roush response would have been. It is nice to work through Dynamic and PE where they have alot of pull when they call Roush, I am just a one off customer. I do not think being a 1 off customer with PE or KC would affect they would treat you.

[MrMagoo]

madmaxx,

Please dont misunderstand me. The case that I cited where Roush handled the 402R swap *was* done through a Roush dealer. With Keith, little old you can pick up the phone and speak to the man on the same day, hard to argue with that. What I was trying to explore was the question: what's the difference dealing with a larger company with more resources (and bigger margins to support all of that). I was trying to argue the point that there is something to it, that some problem (especially two years out) that Roush might be willing to take on as a warranty item would not be viewed as such by KC or PE. There must be some reason why Roush commands a much higher market price for the same number of ponies. What do you think it is?

[undy]

Roush for a Windsor.. maybe, but not for a FE. I don't believe the "FE" experience is there, definately not the FE CNC programs/machines like Keith has for his heads and blocks.

[SandyC]

We had three cars (mine included) out here in Phoenix that had a difficult issue with the EFI system on the same model new-release (SN's ranged from 1 to 14) Roush engine that the local EFI guru was unable to solve. So Roush flew their EFI tech with his computer out to Phoenix from the factory near Detroit and put him up in a hotel with meals and rental car for four days to solve the problem. During the process some parts were upgraded that perhaps really didn't need to be but it was done anyway by overnight shipping from the factory. It took only a few days to get him out here and now the engines run great, and all done under warranty at no charge. Now that, my friends, is customer service -- well done Roush. Perhaps that answers part of your question.

[madmaxx]

"There must be some reason why Roush commands a much higher market price for the same number of ponies"

For a carburated engine situation it is advertisment. For FI as described above it may very well be experience.

Why does Rolex charge $5800 for a submariner and Omega charges $2300 for a SeaMaster. Masters of perception and advertisement. All the dive magazines recommned the omega over the rolex. But guess what noyone ever said, Oh, I never heard of Rolex before"

Just my 2 cents. When my dist cap button burned up, roush wanted a form filled out, and pictures, blah blah blah, i put a new cap on for $20 buck. Now if I had a rod knock, or low pressure different situation. I guess it is how much warranty do you need and what are your skills. I have to admit I guess I asked enough questions they had an engineer return my call, and he explained alot on advance curves etc, so they do respond.

[SPF2245]

The parts used, the fact the motor is complete and assembled with care add up to a large amount of the cost of a Roush Motor...the other 20% of the price, well, racing isn't cheap and with a couple 'cup teams, truck teams and a 'ol P-51 in a hanger to fuel...that's were some of the added cost comes from.

But, much like the Rolex comparison or the classic Caddy built with Chevy parts and a steeper price tag, name carries weight and in some cases value. Keith makes a great motor from what I've heard and seen, but outside a small circle, his name doesn't mean much. Say Roush to just about any gear head and they know exactly the person and his reputation, kinda like saying Shelby. And that is one reason I spent the extra couple grand.

Just my .02.

[Fordzilla]

Originally Posted by sparks

why r these things so costly and r they really worth it or is it just a name?

My 2 cents is: You get piece of mind of having a company stand behind it's product with a warranty. Also extra dollars at time of resale because of that company's reputation & name recognition.

[sparks]

How R There Fe Motors. Are They As Reliable As Ther 351 Based Motors???