Top Notch Engine Builders In Sa?

[kitto]

Hey everyone, simple one, I'm looking to see who recommends what engine builders here in SA.

I've dealt with Lewis Engines before, but wasn't super impressed, plus i've heard mixed reports. Ideally looking for a Nissan specific builder. Someone who takes care and has the right equipment to build a reliable RB.

I have heard of Allen Engineering in Mallala, and apparently they know their Nissan engines.

YES i'm on a budget, i dont have unlimited $$ for this, at this stage i'm looking to chat to the builders, decide on one, see what engine components they like to use, order them, then give him my head and block and let them work their magic.

Give me your opinions, thanks.

NOT LOOKING FOR ANYTHING INTERSTATE. Thanks.

[Aberax]

I used Rhemac for my machining, they also do assembly also, however they are a bit pricey. Other then that I would suggest Lewis Engines, I shall be using them for my head work.

Boostworx, and Willall also do assembly as far as I am aware.

[kitto]

Yeah i have heard of Rhemac, and have just been speaking to a mate about them. But yeah he said they are quite pricey.

What machine work did you have done and what was the rough bill?

I have used lewis before, and yeah wasn't too greatly impressed. Plus i've heard some horror stories as of late too.

[Aberax]

Check out my build thread

but to give you an idea

Hot Tank Block and Crank

Grub Screw Crank

Mirco-polish Crank

Bore and Hone Block

Line hone block and girdle with torque plate

Check Rod and Crank Bearing Crush

and a few other things...all up it was just over $2.2k

Also, if you want top notch, your going to pay for it.

I'll be using Lewis as my tuner is friends with them.

[ovrtym33]

go visit James from Nispeed, he is a Nissan performance engine specialist up at Modbury just down the road from Morpowa

if u can track down Peter Hall (ex Willall) he is also one of the best, they both built my forged rb25

im now at Morpowa

[Jap_star]

+1 for rhemac. Only had bad experience with Lewis engies. Go down to rhemac for a chat and tour. You won't be disappointed

[kitto]

Wow Aberax, a little pricey yes. I had similar work done to my RB30 block for half the cost through lewis engines, but eh his work wasn't that great.

ovrtym33 - I've heard of Nispeed, but havn't really heard about their work. I know Peter Hall and have heard of his work, a mate also got his bottom end work done by him, and neither myself or my mate were overly impressed with what he did. I think Peter's knowledge is well and truly L series stuff. But i might have a chat to them anyway. Plus Peter is impossible to get a hold of.

[DCIEVE]

Wow Aberax, a little pricey yes. I had similar work done to my RB30 block for half the cost through lewis engines, but eh his work wasn't that great.

Can you elaborate on this? Did you have a personal difference or was the machining sub standard (if so in what way).

[bigmikespec]

Anyone got more information on James from Nisspeed? Does he do his own machining? Head porting?

[Brezza]

I had my motor built at Boostworx, and havent had any issues with it at all.

its been going strong for 2.5years now and for the last 18 months its been a 300+kw RB26

When I was building mine all that time ago i asked Manta what they would charge and it was a little steep for me.

But boostworx came within my budget

[kitto]

Can you elaborate on this? Did you have a personal difference or was the machining sub standard (if so in what way).

It wasn't that bad, i just think hes more a get the job done as quick as possible, get it out. I dunno maybe it was his attitude. I've also heard some not so good stories about other people. Apparrently he built an engine, rod failed due to not being correctly torqued, but he blamed it on the tuner - being pre-detonation. Customer got no warranty or anything. But yet it was a workmanship failure, not tuning.

I had my motor built at Boostworx, and havent had any issues with it at all.

its been going strong for 2.5years now and for the last 18 months its been a 300+kw RB26

When I was building mine all that time ago i asked Manta what they would charge and it was a little steep for me.

But boostworx came within my budget

Boostworx, hmmm yeah nah, i'm sure they do alright, but they send their machining work to someone else as they are a performance workship, not a dedicated engine builder with all the necessary gear to build engines.

I've just been on the phone to Allan Engineering, he seems to know his shit! For the power i'm chasing, he really thinks i should stick with stock rods, JE or CP pistons, change the exhaust valves and a few other things, nothing too major for the 400kW MAX that i'm chasing.

Also spoke to knight engines, hes not too sure about using a Tomei pump, he seems to think the stock pump with billet gears are good, hmm i'm not too sure about that. But he said the same, JE or CP pistons, he said stay away from eagle rods, go with something like a SCAT rod (which Allan said not to). But he was also saying something similar that i wont really need to do heaps of head work and such to achieve the power i need.

[N1GTR]

If you call every workshop in town you're going to get mixed thoughts and just end up confused.

[kitto]

If you call every workshop in town you're going to get mixed thoughts and just end up confused.

Ahh yep! I was aware of this lol.

Just spoke to Andrew from Rhemac, he seems to certainly know his stuff! Hes gone against the other two and said that Eagle rods are fine for the power i'm chasing. So there another mix up there.

But he also said for the power im after, head work isn't really necessary, just do a rebuild, bronze vavles, valve springs etc.

[heslo]

Rhemac /thread

Had work done by them but very impressed, timely, always keep in contact and excellent work. Maybe a bit more pricey but you get what you pay for. Best thing about them they won't oversell stuff just for you to spend more money there.

I also had a bad experience at Lewis Engines, piss poor attitude, terrible excuses and couldn't deliver when given AMPLE time. Stay way away imo. Ask Matty T about his headwork, see what he has to say

[kitto]

Rhemac /thread

Had work done by them but very impressed, timely, always keep in contact and excellent work. Maybe a bit more pricey but you get what you pay for. Best thing about them they won't oversell stuff just for you to spend more money there.

I also had a bad experience at Lewis Engines, piss poor attitude, terrible excuses and couldn't deliver when given AMPLE time. Stay way away imo. Ask Matty T about his headwork, see what he has to say

What work did you have done Heslo?

Yeah i know Matty T very well, im good mates with him. And i heard his horror story with Lewis, lifters all needed to be reset.

What specs is your RB26? You do track work and it hasn't failed yet? Power output, engine specs etc?

[heslo]

I got my head fully rebuilt, ported, polished, etc. Had some Tomei Poncams fitted at the same time. Apart from that and the oil restrictor mod my 26 is internally standard,puts out 320awkw everyday @ 18psi and hasn't skipped a beat. I put a lot of that down to supporting mods like oil cooler and most importantly the tune. Touch wood I haven't had an issue yet but when I do eventually rebuild ill get Rhemac to do the bottom end also.

I've always had the motto spend a little more now to save later or the poor man pays twice. Going with this philosophy I've had a trouble free car modifying experience and a tonne less headaches. Sure it might cost a bit more but as I said earlier you get what you pay for. Can't afford it now? Wait! Youll kick yourself in the head later down the track when something does go wrong

[ovrtym33]

Anyone got more information on James from Nisspeed? Does he do his own machining? Head porting?

YES IM PRETTY SURE HE DOES ALL HIS OWN MACHING AND ALSO MANY PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS USE HIM FOR THIS REASON

HE DID ALL THE MACHING FOR MY ENGINE THEN PETER HALL ASSEMBLED IT

[kitto]

I got my head fully rebuilt, ported, polished, etc. Had some Tomei Poncams fitted at the same time. Apart from that and the oil restrictor mod my 26 is internally standard,puts out 320awkw everyday @ 18psi and hasn't skipped a beat. I put a lot of that down to supporting mods like oil cooler and most importantly the tune. Touch wood I haven't had an issue yet but when I do eventually rebuild ill get Rhemac to do the bottom end also.

I've always had the motto spend a little more now to save later or the poor man pays twice. Going with this philosophy I've had a trouble free car modifying experience and a tonne less headaches. Sure it might cost a bit more but as I said earlier you get what you pay for. Can't afford it now? Wait! Youll kick yourself in the head later down the track when something does go wrong

Yeah good point, hence why i'm getting a good builder to do it. Not like an average one like Lewis.

Do you remember exactly what work he had done to your head, cam specs, lifters, retainers done? Valve guides/seats etc? Oh and if you dont mind me asking, what did that sort of end up costing you?

[heslo]

I've got the receipt sitting around here somewhere.... Gimme a minute ill chuck you a PM

[tricstar]

James Nisspeed, very helpfull and knows RB's, Built the stroker in my car (750hp+) did a great job