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What are the trade offs with going with a short block vs longblock vs crate engine?

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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 02:37 AM
  #1  
RedBanditz28's Avatar
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What are the trade offs with going with a short block vs longblock vs crate engine?

Like the post says, what are trade offs with going with a long block vs short block vs crate engine or fully assembled engine?

I know short blocks come with less things than long blocks and crate engines. But what do most people pick when upgrading? Is it effective to go with a short block when you are looking to make good amounts of power? Whats a good cost effective solution? I know its based on the money in yor wallet, but is it worth it to go all out and buy a fully built engine? Do those who buy short blocks keep a lot of their stock engine parts? When using a turbo or blower, is it better to go with all new engine components like that of a long block and crate engine or could a person make do with a short block? I don't think i have ever seen a post like this on here before, which is why i am posting it. If there has been, i missed it.
Old Nov 9, 2006 | 06:45 AM
  #2  
teke184's Avatar
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From: US 1 Mile Marker 52 in the Florida Keys
i'd say it's 2 things....simplicity and customization for your needs

long blocks and crate motors are great when you don't have time, or knowledge (and sometimes $$$) to put together an engine on your own. with one order you can have an engine ready to drop in, hook up the lines and start. however you are at the mercy of what the manufacturer builds.

long blocks take some of the guess work out of building an engine, the manufacturer pieces together what they think is an ideal setup. and alot of times you can chose things like cam size and heads. but you don't have to go through the trouble of ordering, assembling and tuning the setup afterwards.

short blocks are great for when you are on a budget....or when you are truely building a custom engine. you pick the cam, you pick the heads, you pick the intake, you pick the ingnition. and you save money buy assembling it yourself. if you already have heads and a cam...but blow a piston. you can get a short block and swap everything over. or build a near stock engine with a high quality short block and be confident it will withstand abuse...and then upgrade the heads, cam...etc...later as money allows. the engine will "grow with you"
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