Engine rebuilders recommendations

[widget777]

I have a 78 280z stock in all aspects. I am puting on headers amd am thinking about replacing the long block with a rebuilt long block. My research to date scares me with the fly by night engine rebuild houses that are on the market. DOes anyone have a recommendation on a good house to buy a long block?

[TomoHawk]

More appropriately, what should you look for in an engine shop for an S30? Maybe there's one near you?

[Inf]

I think you may find some information in the search function - although some of it may be old and no longer valid.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16848&highlight=engine+rebuild+ATK

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13043&highlight=engine+rebuild+ATK

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8891&highlight=engine+rebuild+ATK

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1369&highlight=engine+rebuild+ATK

Back when I was looking, there were two companies I looked at who would ship you a remanufactured (rebuilt?) engine, expecting your old engine back as a core. One was ATK, the other was Jasper. Both should come up under google search. I'm guessing there are also some others that deal/dealt in L-series motors, but I'm not aware.

I ended up just having a local Z mechanic take care of it. I know he outsourced the actual rebuilding to some local machine shop, not sure which, nor would I really recommend them if I was, given that it's only been a few thousand miles and it could still go horribly wrong yet.

Actually, come to think of it, I have a bit of an oil leak from the head gasket between the #3, #4 cylinders on the passenger side. Be careful, I'm sure there are tons of unscrupulous shops out there looking to make a quick buck.

Edited October 23, 2009 by Inf

[hls30.com]

I would really look at the warranty offered by the different rebuilders you consider.

If they will cover local service you are way ahead of the game.

Remember too that Ebay feedback is normally added shortly after receipt of an engine-and generally based entirely on appearance-there is not enough time to get a good evaluation on an engine in the time ebay allows for feedback to be given, and once it is given-the opportunity to let ebayers know how the engine really did is completely gone. What looks like a great price could just be a colorful description and a nice paint/polish job...with nothing backing it up performance and longevity wise.

A company confident in its processes will have a warranty that is valuable, not one that is full of disclaimers and requires all warranty work to be done in their location.

Also verify any and all claims made in the warranty-if it gives local service find out from who and talk to them.

Will

[joker72z]

Why not give Oliver a call at Z Specialties in Snohomish, WA?

He apparently does restoration work and perhaps he knows of a good engine guy to refer you to. If you want a performance build and are willing to drive to Vancouver, go see Andy Pearson at Specialty Engineering as he has been building Z car's and race cars for 30 years.