BUILD THREAD My last elkie

[Sweet_Johnny]

They didn't pass my "sniff test" but I've only built a few, not nearly as many as you have, & I do use their parts as well as other cheap ones but pay very careful attention to certain areas. I wanted the Comp Magnums and considered the SpeedMaster copies but another member sold me his Comps. Since I'm also on a budget I researched it and Scorpion is the way to go from what I gathered. If considering SpeedMaster rockers ya may as well buy Deep Motor (eBay) instead- they're selling a TON of identical parts. Basically Skip White, eBay, and SpeedMaster all sell the same stuff. His N.K.B. heads (and others), cams, all of his intakes... identical.

I guess I'm saying that I haven't got too much feedback about the SpeedMasters but for a similar price everyone loves the Scorpions.

 

[JimmyD]

Yeah, I get that part, believe me. I'm trying to run an old set of Mickey Thompson valve covers, truly old with Chevrolet emblems engraved. All of the huge aluminum rocker arms I'm pretty sure will hit the valve cover. Comp cams steel rocker arms are stupid money. I'm still weighing my options and believe me I have no problem sending these rocker arms back to speedmaster.

 

[JimmyD]

 

[JimmyD]

As I said before, this motor is a build in progress. The short block is complete everything is installed including cam, lifters, timing chain and gear set. Front cover is already installed with the cam button. To secure the bottom man all I need to do is bolt on the melling hi-po oil pump, set the pickup and install the pan.

 

[JimmyD]

I have over Seven Grand in this engine right now. Anybody that thinks they can build something cheaper, yeah you go for that. Buy some junkyard s*** have it worked at your local sketch machine shop and see how that turns out.

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

I have over Seven Grand in this engine right now. Anybody that thinks they can build something cheaper, yeah you go for that. Buy some junkyard s*** have it worked at your local sketch machine shop and see how that turns out.

It definitely adds up much quicker than even the well-prepared are ready for. "If I upgrade this, then I must upgrade that or it'll explode" happens a lot, plus certain parts just have to be expensive no matter how ya slice it. You've done quite a bit of work to be proud of and it seems far better than some random backyard assembly, I look forward to hearing it run.

 

[JimmyD]

It definitely adds up much quicker than even the well-prepared are ready for. "If I upgrade this, then I must upgrade that or it'll explode" happens a lot, plus certain parts just have to be expensive no matter how ya slice it. You've done quite a bit of work to be proud of and it seems far better than some random backyard assembly, I look forward to hearing it run.

Yeah brother.I hear you. What started out as a "cheap *ss 383" has turned into a professionally built small block."How fast do you want to go, how much money do you have to spend, lol.🤧

 

[melloelky]

Yeah brother.I hear you. What started out as a "cheap *ss 383" has turned into a professionally built small block."How fast do you want to go, how much money do you have to spend, lol.🤧

it's amazing how that happens isn't it?

 

[JimmyD]

At some point, The return on investment does not add up. I've had this car sitting in my backyard for over 15 years. Putting in my time and money over the years has netted me an almost immaculate '81 Chevrolet El Camino. Body and chassis alone are over 10 grand easily. Complete 1985 front clip for the dual headlights and grill. Fiberglass hood, and bumpers. Custom deletion of side marker lights (filled, welded and painted) I expect to easily have more than $25,000 invested in this car.

 

[JimmyD]

5 years ago I bought a 2016 GMC Sierra four-door crew cab all black. I paid $19,999 for this truck used It had 79,000 mi on it. After replacing the transmission 2 years ago (suck *ss six speed) It is still worth five thousand dollars more than I spent for it. The El Camino will long outlive it and be worth twice as much money, so yes there is a certain point where you start going backwards.