coast high

Frank Giustinia · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 12:56 PM

I'm considering buying a 393 stroker crate motor from coast high performance. Has anyone had any experience with coast high? good or bad

agro1 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 01:41 PM

Frank - Email me and I will discuss with you offline. Or - just read my post in shop talk titled "Need Help RE: Engine builder".

lhartzog@bonddesk.com

MJN · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 02:36 PM

Frank

I did not buy an assembled motor from Coast but I did buy a crank, rods, custom pistons and had them balance the whole lot for me. I had a small problem with delivery because of the availibility of the rods but everything checked out spot on tolerance when I measured it to have the block machined.

I can't comment on agro's problems with Coast but may be it has something to do with the number of FE's that Coast does (very few)compared to Windsors (a lot)? One place that seems to have a very solid reputation for Windsor strokers is DSS. I did not use DSS purely because I got much better info and help over the phone from Coast on my particular combination. Hopefully you should get some good feedback on the best place to go from others on this site.

Frank Giustinia · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 03:06 PM

Mike, Thanks for the reply. Who did you deal with at CH.? I'm having a hard time getting a price quote. Do you know anything about The Engine Factory in NJ?....Frank

MJN · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 04:13 PM

Frank

I checked back on my Coast paperwork and the salesman is listed as Mike. But I also remember talking to George. I wanted a good set up to work with my supercharger, stroke, compression, cam reccommendation etc. I had already done a lot of research, called a lot of manufacturers and had a pretty good idea as to what I 'thought' I wanted from all the feedback. I think it was George at Coast, pretty much independantly backed up what I had already figured out from calling cam companies etc. I feel I got want I wanted, it was good quality, and I have been very happy with the results. Once I decided what I wanted I had no trouble getting a price worked out while I was on the phone. They do ask a lot of specific questions which if you don't have answers to they may not be able to give you a firm quote.

I did not have Coast assemble my motor. I used a local machine shop for the block and head work (Martyn Motors, Morrisville PA) and am exremely pleased with the service and the work they did. They are not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. As for The Engine Factory, I don't have any experience with them and don't personally know anyone who has.

FIA Mike · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 08:18 PM

Frank,

Without going into all of the details, a couple of months ago a friend bought an assembled 408 stroker from Coast. It had several "issues". Had to be sent back to Coast to be rebuilt. Send me an e-mail if you want the details. Bottom line was he will never recommend anyone go to Coast.

FIA Mike

Mohuska · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2002, 12:03 AM

I am also looking for someone to build a bulletproof 460 stroker for me.....I am trying to find a good builder in California.....Talked to Coast...they seemed to know what they are talking about...but now I am a little nervous hearing that there have been problems

I sure would like to know more about them (Coast) and other good builders for my project.....I am investing too much $$ to do it wrong....

Thanks for any replies.......

PERUCH · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2002, 12:47 AM

Doug of www.esiracingengines.com built for me several engines with no problem,stay in San diego
Bernie

MJN · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2002, 06:19 AM

Looks like Coast has some issues with assembling engines. The actual assembly of the motor can make or break it that's why I decided to do my own assembly. I have built quite a few engines but this was my first Windsor Ford. I dimensionally checked and weighed all the components I got from Coast and they were spot on. The reason I chose a local machine shop was because I wanted to see first hand exactly what they were doing to my block. Barry at Martyn Motors was fantastic and called me to come and discuss what they were going to do, look at set up on the machine and discuss final dimensions etc, before they squared the decks and again before they bored the block. I expected to have to slightly re-machine the decks on the block to get exactly the deck height that I wanted but when I bolted the rotating assembly in all the clearances including the deck height were spot on.

If you can find a copy, the November 2002 issue of Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords has a good article by David Vizard on mail order short block quality. Specifically DSS.

From the other posts here it looks like may be I was lucky with my experience with Coast. Caveat Emptor. (Buyer Beware)

Clois Harlan · #10 (**permalink**) 10-11-2002, 07:49 AM

Bernie,

You are the first French CC member I have seen on here. Are there other Cobra owners in your area? What reactions do you get from the locals, ie: American V8, noise, rear wheel spin etc.?

PERUCH · #11 (**permalink**) 10-11-2002, 09:34 AM

Clois,
In my country we have about 15/289 and 12/427 all genuine car anda lot of replicas but not your high level replica cars.
V8 noise is typical,French and European like because is very unusual ,these cars are loved for look and noise but not for MPG,you pay twice or more to fill the tank.
About race we have not dragstip except in England but are not popular.General philosophy about V8 engine is agricultural concept,but with your Windsor engine from 63 to now,start from 50/HP to 110/HP per liter incredible increase in performance due to several aftermarket parts and genious engine builder.Few years ago i have a race vs Violati's 330 Ferrari GTO ( 4 liters engine),easy win with my pusrod engine!!!,
Regards,
Bernie(

Clois Harlan · #12 (**permalink**) 10-11-2002, 09:40 AM

Bernie,

Next time you race you will have to share some pictures with us. I would love to see your Cobra even if it not at a race.

Thanks for letting us know about the Cobra's in France.

Clois

Naja · #13 (**permalink**) 10-13-2002, 10:21 AM

I wouldn't recommend Coast High for ANYTHING (except as a 'whipping boy'). They advertise things that they cannot deliver in a timely manner (supposedly "stock" items). They seem totally unconcerned about customer satisfaction after they have their money. They don't return phone calls. After blaming my assembler for weeks for not returning the wrong manifold that they sent by mistake (I ordered one with injector bung welded in), they finally had to admit that they "screwed up" when we sent them the UPS tracking number that, of course, they had signed off on (weeks before). They took their 'sweet time' in fabricating the manifold that was originally ordered (again, supposedly a "stock" item). All told, it took over 6 months of aggrevation to get what was originally ordered and paid for.

Stay away from these folks!!!!

Jack21 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-14-2002, 10:26 AM

Scat makes the entire 393 rotating assembly, crank, rods, & pistons. You'll likely want the Ford racing billet steel flywheel, and SFI front crank balancer, also from Ford.

Then open your yellow pages, find a couple of engine shops near you and talk to them. You'll find a Ford guy who knows what a 393W is, and how to build one. You can then drive the block to his shop, and go pick up the finished work. And if you have any problems, you know where to find him. Once you've got the engine in the car, you can drive car to his shop for some tweaking and tuning. Good engine machinists are a wealth of information, and that relationship should be built in person.

There are also a lot of Cobras running around on Long Island, and you'll find them here on this forum. Ask who did their engine work.

Mr.Fixit · #15 (**permalink**) 10-14-2002, 10:50 AM

Good idea Jack,
but go for ther billit aluminum flywheel from McLeod, you will be glad you did.

Back in Black · #16 (**permalink**) 10-14-2002, 11:27 AM

Go with Southern automotive for a really good motor... !

Have heard some bad press RE: Coast

Brad Pfeifer · #17 (**permalink**) 10-14-2002, 04:32 PM

I had my stroker motor partially built by Coast. It was built and delivered sooner than I thought, and came with full spec sheets and instructions. The motor 'looked' well put together, and the details were attended to.

It did fine getting pushed hard on the dyno, but developed a rear main seal leak. I have heard that complaint from a few folks on the site.

Brad

750hp · #18 (**permalink**) 10-16-2002, 05:25 AM

Naja - how did you like the quality of the work when you're manifold finally arrived? I bought an EFI conversion of a 351W Super Victor manifold, along with the cast alum elbow and fuel rails etc. I was really happy with the price, the quality of the elbow casting was flawless, and the injector bung welding was of a very high standard. I found it hard to believe that they would do all manifolds so nicely for the price, and I was just wondering if I was simply in luck that day???

Oh, and they delivered it when they said they would... double bonus!!!

I've never bought an engine assembly from them though.

Mohuska · #19 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002, 11:30 AM

I too have a West Coast and am right in the process of figuring out a new motor configuration.....I would really like to hear about your 533 with EFI.....I too am looking at EFIU....Been talking with Kinsler...who did you go with....??....The motor I am considering is a 532....very close to yours...Did you put in a forged crank....if so....whose?.....I would like to hear the specs...Thanks in advance.......

Naja · #20 (**permalink**) 10-18-2002, 07:44 AM

Craig -

Yes, their price was attractive. That is probably why I went with them. But I guess I 'got what I paid for' (or somewhat less)! My assembler guru wanted me to go with Wilson Manifold, but it was about 50% more expensive, but they do a lot of machining and finishing work on their manifolds, as well as having a contractual relationship with Edelbrock for R&D.

Coast just left a weld bead with some minor valleys in some bung holes - no grinding the weld bead smooth, etc. Also, no offer of any reimbursement for taking so long, screwing up so bad (a couple of times), and, basically, calling us 'liars'.

Regards,