347 Crate Engine from T and L Engines

[MrMagoo]

There is an outfit in California that I discovered while I was doing my research. Smeding Performance. Anyone here have any experience with them? I only mention it because you're from California, and maybe they are close enough for you to go and visit the shop.

As for T&L I would say "what everyone else said".

I had a good experience with Keith Craft and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. And of course, the final word of advice would be that this is a highly competitive market and you get what you pay for, basically. Don't forget to have the builder dyno-test the motor, even if you have to pay extra for that service.

[Mark O'Neal]

Originally Posted by MrMagoo

There is an outfit in California that I discovered while I was doing my research. Smeding Performance. Anyone here have any experience with them? I only mention it because you're from California, and maybe they are close enough for you to go and visit the shop.

As for T&L I would say "what everyone else said".

I had a good experience with Keith Craft and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. And of course, the final word of advice would be that this is a highly competitive market and you get what you pay for, basically. Don't forget to have the builder dyno-test the motor, even if you have to pay extra for that service.

Smeding is a customer of mine and they have a good reputation.

[Prestidigitator]

I posted this on another site as well.

As of this writting I would NOT recommend T and L under any circumstances.

Bought a 347 with a weber stack and it has issues.

This could all change as I iron out the details but as of now I would say buyer beware.

More to follow in the coming weeks.

[Aloys]

Update:
today is the 24th of August, 6 and a half months after my friend ordered and partly paid for his 428
Got mail with 2 pics showing the (his?) motor in a crate with the order number on it, requesting final payment. As they don`t work with PayPal anymore (customer could call back money) it has to be transferred to their homebank.
This was done 3th of August, money was received. Motor was to be sent via airfreight on the 6th or 7th of August.
Nothing happened. They mailed and said they lack our phonenumber for the custom papers. We gave them that numer at least 5 times and now once again.
They mailed and said the number was wrong as it would not fit into the US-custompapers....
Finally reached a living person on the phone, Aug. 17th
He told us they were in contact with freightquote... so they had not even given a shipping order to any company!
Got mail on Aug. 19th, saying all was clear, tracking number would follow!
From then on: silence `til today, August 24th
So much to T&L!
Will keep you informed!

[RodKnock]

Someone ought to email Kit Car Builder magazine and let them know that one of their advertisers isn't delivering engines on time, or ever, for that matter.

[Keithc8]

Do your research and talk with others when you are going to spend this kind of money. You will see more of this in the future with the economy being slow. Deal with companies that have been around a while and have the resources to be around. Sometimes when things sound like a bargain or to good to be true there is a reason.
It sounds like these guys need a visit from some of these customers. I have heard even more than what is on here from several customers. On over seas purchases you have to be real careful because some of these vendores will rip the over seas customer of because of the distance. Good luck, Keith Craft

[767Jockey]

There are so many well respected engine vendors right here on CC with many satisfied customers - Keith Craft, Survival, Roush, Smeding, and so many others. Why take a chance on a place with a spotty record?

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

There are so many well respected engine vendors right here on CC with many satisfied customers - Keith Craft, Survival, Roush, Smeding, and so many others. Why take a chance on a place with a spotty record?

Along with those listed above, you might want to check out Danbury Competition Engines, listed on the ERA FIA index. From what I have read, Danbury Competition has a great reputation and has done a lot of motors for ERA customers.

- Tim

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by tkb289

Along with those listed above, you might want to check out Danbury Competition Engines, listed on the ERA FIA index. From what I have read, Danbury Competition has a great reputation and has done a lot of motors for ERA customers.

- Tim

I'd steer people away from DCE based on our experiences. There are better choices, I'll keep it at that.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

I'd steer people away from DCE based on our experiences. There are better choices, I'll keep it at that.

X2.
And I had one so it's first hand experience.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

X2.
And I had one so it's first hand experience.

Well, it's probably hard to have an engine shop for decades and never have somebody cranky with you.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well, it's probably hard to have an engine shop for decades and never have somebody cranky with you.

Yes, that length of time indicates you're successful and not lacking for customers. Also enjoying the support of a stellar reputation company like ERA indicates that as well.

However, the low compression, pump gas "basic" FE is what Joe's recommended for. It is expedient to sell this kind of package to many ERA turnkey buyers. The proximity factor adds to the appeal. Many are durable, 'journeyman' engines lasting many years in street and parade duty.

These are essentially rebuilds, not blueprinted unless requested and not exactly cutting edge motors As Tom Lucas, Keith, Barry or George build.

Going back two decades the distinction was less well defined. What you wanted and what you got were not always the same and investigating the difference was not met with "customer service".

Apparently Cashburn has had more recent dissatisfaction.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Going back two decades the distinction was less well defined. What you wanted and what you got were not always the same and investigating the difference was not met with "customer service".

Apparently Cashburn has had more recent dissatisfaction.

Your bad experience was 20 years ago?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Your bad experience was 20 years ago?

Your grasp of higher mathematics is impeccable.
However, "business as usual" apparently continues for some to this day.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Your grasp of higher mathematics is impeccable.
However, "business as usual" apparently continues for some to this day.

Chas, 20 years and you're still holding a grudge?!? C'mon.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Chas, 20 years and you're still holding a grudge?!? C'mon.

No Pat. Just reporting my experience from that far back.

The point was, Lapine apparently still operates that way to this day as evidenced by Cashburn.

I now have a far superior engine from a local machinist. I did not go back to Joe for more of the same treatment.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

No Pat. Just reporting my experience from that far back.

Clearly, there are lingering hard feelings....

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Chas, 20 years and you're still holding a grudge?!? C'mon.

I gotta be honest, Pat - although I'm not proud of it, 20 years from now I am still not going to buy a Genesis product. After all the B.S. they put me through, I'll never deal with them again. Of course in 20 years I'll be 71 years old if I'm still alive, so I doubt that Genesis and their crappy customer service will be at the top of my list of priorities. Right now I just have to figure out how to survive this damned disease and live that long!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

I gotta be honest, Pat - although I'm not proud of it, 20 years from now I am still not going to buy a Genesis product. After all the B.S. they put me through, I'll never deal with them again. Of course in 20 years I'll be 71 years old if I'm still alive, so I doubt that Genesis and their crappy customer service will be at the top of my list of priorities. Right now I just have to figure out how to survive this damned disease and live that long!

And that's perfectly reasonable (me being familiar with your experience). Perhaps if Chas. told us the whole story he would feel better, or at least that would allow us to judge whatever happened in the proper light.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Clearly, there are lingering hard feelings....

Careful Chas, Patrick may send you bill in the mail for this therapeutic time at $175/hour.