Slowboy Racing or FFWD motors?

[JamesonTSI-AWD]

i was looking at slowboy racings 2.4l stroker motors and FFWD's 2.3l stroker. I was just curious if you guys had heard anything bad or good about either of the motors and wich one you personally would go with.

thanks
Jameson

 

[project_tsi]

You do know that they are both different blocks/etc, right?

The 2.3L is a stroked 2.0 4G63. The 2.4L is either a G4CS or a 4G64.

 

[qtxdevilz]

does anyone know if slowboy torque plate bores, align hone and all that other good stuff on there motors?it doesnt say it on there website...and i have heard bad stories about slowboy blocks/motors...

jacksonautomachine.com has a 2.3 motor i think...and they have a really good reputation...there prices are very reasonable and they do all the extras...take a look at there site...

 

[project_tsi]

Yes, SBR uses a torque plate, and line hones the blocks.

As for Jam, I am sure they have good products, but I personally hate there customer service, its the worst I have ever had anywhere. I was actually hung up on from JAM!

 

[TSIfreek]

FFWD is more expensive but cryos all there parts for strength.

 

[GVR4592]

Everybody always says that FFWD is more expensive but I've bought from them and their prices for short blocks are within $100 of every other vendors prices.

 

[Maglin]

Dude You already know what I think. FFWD if you have the cash. It's going to cost to get everything Cryo'd and that very sexy Butcher Crank. so FFWD for sure.

 

[m1nd64m3]

Definetly FFWD

 

[98talonAWD]

SBR all the way, i was there for my dyno session last summer and they were building two customers motors, and there RWD motor for they shop car. they double check everything and make sure its done right. i saw it first hand and i would recommend them to anybody.

if you have a DSM, you need to look into SBR bottom line, period, end of story, finished, the end.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Ive talked to both builders. FFWD all the way IMO. Someone double checking things wouldnt be the 1 thing to make me think they are the best imo. Ive talked to both, and seen results from both builders. FFWD def is more knowledgable on the subject from the information i was given.

 

[JDNSBR]

Ive talked to both builders. FFWD all the way IMO. Someone double checking things wouldnt be the 1 thing to make me think they are the best imo. Ive talked to both, and seen results from both builders. FFWD def is more knowledgable on the subject from the information i was given.

I am not going to be one to get on here and say "Come buy our product!" I find this thread and others like it opinionated, not fact based. I am sure FFWD makes an excellent product that is long lasting. How many of the voters have actually run both motors? Very few I suspect. There are many places to purchase 2.3 motors from. I can write a huge list if you prefer. Some off of the top of my head are Buschur, Magnus, Extreme Motorsports, and a ton of others. I am not posting to cause any problems. Anyone who knows me knows I am not like that nor do I ever intend to be. I just find this extremely biased.

In my opinion, best way to pick the vendor you want to buy from is call in. Talk to the shop or engine builder first hand. If you are knowledgable with the motor, test them. See how much they know. If you don't like the answers move on.

Is every single motor an engine shop build going to hold up and take the abuse that it is intended for? No. There are way too many variables for every car, motor, tune, modifications, driver, and ect to take into account. Each machine shop does their best to make the finest product availble. Whether it be us or FFWD.

Now for those of you wondering "Did you vote?" No, I did not. Nor will I. Thank you for the space.

 

[90turbotsi]

if you do decide to go with slow boy be careful... ive seen a number of people run into problems with them cutting their cranks, clearly running into more serious problems down the road and engine failure

 

[GVR4592]

My statement is based 100% on opinion. I've dealt with both FFWD and SBR. My brother, my cousin, and I have spent thousands of dollars with both vendors. After doing business with SBR and talking with others that have done business with them, and seeing how they have treated some people on this forum, I would rather have FFWD doing my engine work.

 

[TSIfreek]

Becarefull about bashing vendors could get you kicked off here.

 

[ISUJakey]

I am not impressed with the overall lack of consistency in customer service that SBR provides so my money would be going towards FFWD if I had to choose between SBR & FFWD. Although, I am glad to see that this survey is about SBR & FFWD and that the original poster appears to not be considering Jackson Autoshit.

 

[jetdriven]

Buschur. Shep ran a stage 3 shortblock for a whole season on one of those.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Shep doesn't run a buschur stage 3. A buschur stage 3 is eagle rods (crower optional) and JE 9.0:1 pistons. Its just an assembled stock block with off the shelf parts. Shep's motor was built by buschur, but its been strengthened and all that just for Shep. A set of his rods cost more than a complete stage 3 shortblock.

 

[overdoseheroin]

SBR for sure...id personally like to rock a 2.1 de-stroked myself

 

[90turbotsi]

If I were in you position id gather all the needed parts and locate a reputable machine shop to machine it and build it. It will in the end probably save you some money and you will know exactly whats going in to it and hows its being put together.

Or as some of us, send it to a machine shop for needed machine work and then assemble it ourselves

Dont forget there are a good number of other places out there selling good motors other then those listed

 

[jetdriven]

Shep doesn't run a buschur stage 3. A buschur stage 3 is eagle rods (crower optional) and JE 9.0:1 pistons. Its just an assembled stock block with off the shelf parts. Shep's motor was built by buschur, but its been strengthened and all that just for Shep. A set of his rods cost more than a complete stage 3 shortblock.

according to the buschur fourms jarrod is saying that Shep runs a stage 3 block. Granted he doesnt say what rods and pistons he's using but he's running it up to 10,500 RPM and using at least 56 PSI of boost. A whole season on one motor and its still running.

As far as having a machine shop build you a motor I wouldnt do it if it were me. I've seen most of these places and for 2250 you'd be lucky to get what you ask for. My experience is they get the piston to wall and oil clearances "close" but it wont be what you specify. these guys build motors all day but they go in toyota's and chevy pickups not 600 HP DSM's. Plus no one I've seen has equipment to balance a 4G63 to 9,000 RPM. Any place that is able doesnt produce enough DSM motors to do it for a price significantly les that SBR/FFWD/buschur. And these guys are proven.

When's the last time you seen a machine shop mic all 4 pistons and then bore each hole .002 under, then hone it out, then plateau hone it in exactly when the top and bottom of the bore are exact with a torque plate and the maincaps torqued? Will they turn the crank .10-.10 just because its out of the block, even though we arent supposed to? Do they use a rod bolt stretch gauge? Do they cycle the ARP head studs 3-4 times before torquing them down? Do they have a clean shop and wear gloves assembling the motor? Will they scrub the bores with WD-40 and a nylon brush then WD-40 a white rag and wipe the bores until surgically clean before fitting the pistons? Do they even have the equipment to accurately measure the rod and main bearings while torqued to get an accurate ID for oil clearances? (we're talking something that can measure down to a half-thousandth, repeatedly) Do they check ring end-gaps?
will there be any trash in the oil galleries when you get the motor back?

Seriously, for the money it costs to have a true racing shortblock built you cant go wrong with FFWD, SBR, or buschur. All these guys have what it takes to build a true racing shortblock, not something punched out .30 over and built in 30 minutes by a guy that builds chevy V-8's for pickups. those you can sand the bores with 80 grit and throw a 99.00 summitt rebuild kit in it and it will run. It just wont produce 4 HP per cubic inch under any circumstance for any length of time. it wil run just fine in your uncle's pickup.

 

[GVR4592]

Becarefull about bashing vendors could get you kicked off here.

I answered the guys question. I wouldn't say I was "bashing" SBR. How do I tell somebody that I (and many others) have had experiences with a vendor that would discourage me from buying an engine from them, without "bashing" them?

A lot of people have had great success with SBR and their engines. I have my reasons why I wouldn't purchase an engine from them, if anybody wants to know why PM me.

 

[ddavisaf]

Matt, get back from Iraq first buddy. We'll build you a motor when you get home!

 

[ddavisaf]

I answered the guys question. I wouldn't say I was "bashing" SBR. How do I tell somebody that I (and many others) have had experiences with a vendor that would discourage me from buying an engine from them, without "bashing" them?

A lot of people have had great success with SBR and their engines. I have my reasons why I wouldn't purchase an engine from them, if anybody wants to know why PM me.

This would be the correct way to voice your opinion

 

[andymoraitis]

In my opinion, best way to pick the vendor you want to buy from is call in. Talk to the shop or engine builder first hand. If you are knowledgable with the motor, test them. See how much they know. If you don't like the answers move on.

I would have to agree very strongly with what Jon is saying here. Remember that doing business with a vendor is about forging a relationship. If you find that the relationship isn't progressing the way you'd like then finding someone who makes you feel comfortable should become your number one concern. This should be the case whether you're buying a fuel pump or a complete block.

Just my .02,

Andy

 

[BrokenTsi]

Ive talked to both. And trust me, i wouldnt think twice about using ffwd over SBR any day.