Crate motor vs building a motor from scratch
#11
IMHO?
Unless you have GOOD cores, starting with a set of cases, a crank you can true and weld, jugs, and a set of heads that can be ported to match the rest of the parts, building a engine locally gets expensive quick.... you are buying parts one at a time, or even in a kit.... it is hard to compete with mass production and economy of scale that say a S&S or even HD has.
Crate engines are cost efficient and if you don't pick a junk brand, they are reliable too
Unless you have GOOD cores, starting with a set of cases, a crank you can true and weld, jugs, and a set of heads that can be ported to match the rest of the parts, building a engine locally gets expensive quick.... you are buying parts one at a time, or even in a kit.... it is hard to compete with mass production and economy of scale that say a S&S or even HD has.
Crate engines are cost efficient and if you don't pick a junk brand, they are reliable too
#13
Both have advantages. Build from scratch and you won't have to lay out $7,000-$10,000 all at once. You can buy parts as the money comes in. Crate motors are a better value. You can get more horsepower for less money. Probably a warranty too. I like one piece at a time because I don't have $10,000. You are doing the research so your on the right track.
#14
What is the ultimate goal? Weekly drag races in a specific class? Bragging rights Saturday Night at the local DairyQueen? 50+ years of riding and I still don't understand. There are so many bikes that have amazing speed at much lower costs, what is the drive to get a few extra MPH out of a HD?
#15
What is the ultimate goal? Weekly drag races in a specific class? Bragging rights Saturday Night at the local DairyQueen? 50+ years of riding and I still don't understand. There are so many bikes that have amazing speed at much lower costs, what is the drive to get a few extra MPH out of a HD?
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LoneWoolf (02-16-2022)
#16
But, I understand the appeal of building a more powerful engine for a Harley. Like others have stated, a crate engine has the advantage of a lower price point, and potentially a warranty. But, if you have the ability to do the work yourself, building an engine from scratch allows you to pick and choose which parts you want to install. And personally laying your hands on every part, bolt, and nut, assembling the entire engine yourself, may give you some peace of mind that the job was done right. But, if you have to pay someone to do it, it will get very expensive, very quick.
#17
#18
To summarize, I would say "it depends".
Last edited by panheadache; 02-16-2022 at 08:44 AM.
#20
when you build what you want - the entire recipe of the build takes place, a crate motor gives you only that & everyone is gonna go big or go home...right? putting the power to the ground takes more than a crate motor so there is the other costs for that. Oh..... and you might want to be able to stop the bike & upgrade the brake system. when I do a build for someone I let them know its a domino effect from motor to driveline to stopping power. when you build it and address all these things - then you got something - but its gonna cost you one way or another no matter what your choice.