Is the Proformanceunlimited 400HP 390 Turn-Key a fair deal?

[robroy]

Good morning,

I'm looking at the 400HP 390 turn-key crate engine from Proformanceunlimited for my F250, but I'm not experienced enough with engines to know whether $8,400 is a fair deal for it or not.

Here's the engine:

http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/spe ... 425hp.html

Note that the URL says 425 HP while the web page itself says 400 HP. I guess 425 is pretty similar to 400.

I realize that it's a lot of work to put an engine together and I need to pay for:

1. The expertise (planning ability) of the builder
2. Their time
3. The use of all their shop equipment and facilities
4. Their time for support if anything goes wrong with the engine
5. The parts that go in to the engine

My guess is that $8,400 is indeed fair, but I'd like to gather lots of opinions.

Thanks very much!
-Robroy

[390F100]

I know a company called Fennell Motorsports out of Casa Grande, Az that will build that same motor for 4,000 less. I can get you there number if you want to call them to ask any questions. The owner is a very good friend of mine that is currently building a 500hp 428 for my 68 f100. Check em out, it would be well worth it.

[DuckRyder]

I'd say its fair for the specs...

You might also look at:

http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com/

http://www.keithcraft.com/

http://www.dscmotorsports.com/asp/Site/ ... /index.asp

Also "Howdy69" had a 410 built he was pretty pleased with I think so talk to that gy too.

That said 400-425 horse from a 390 really aint that hard to do....

[427]

Looks like a great engine.IMO it sounds kinda high for a 390. As said earlier 400 horse aint hard to get from a 390. The early ones were rated at 375 horse. With todays aluminum heads that would be easily done. Id shop around. Just my .

[convincor]

I'd also say that's a little high.
This guy's been around for quite a while. Great feedback.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Ac ... m245.l1318

There's been a couple guys that put this in there Cobra Replica's and have been very happy- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-390 ... 0083059871

[rubiranch]

I wish I had $8400 to spend on my 390.

[td]

I'd also say that's a little high.
This guy's been around for quite a while. Great feedback.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Ac ... m245.l1318

There's been a couple guys that put this in there Cobra Replica's and have been very happy- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-390 ... 0083059871

my small block came from the second one mentioned here and i have nothing but good things to say about them. great engine! and a great buying experience.

[robroy]

Good morning! Thanks very much folks for the great replies!

I'm checking out the links to various engine builders and doing comparisons.

One thing I notice is that the less expensive engines aren't "Turn Key," meaning they lack a carb and ignition (and maybe other things)? So those things cost a little cash.

Also, I'm guessing that the warranties mean a lot for an engine like this, and I'm not sure what type of warranties are offered by the folks selling through eBay.

I'll check out each link in detail. Thanks again folks!
-Robroy

[cathynkeith]

I am very happy with my 418 Stroker from them, I have left many a vehicle in the dust who said they had 500 hp.

Mine has 497 at the wheels on the dyno.

I have flat out ran a VROD, GT500an a 06 Vett.
Best 1/4 mil using my Passport g-timer http://www.southerncarparts.com/escort- ... p-610.html

I highly recommend Doug, they are great to work with.

[convincor]

Best 1/4 mil using my Passport g-timer http://www.southerncarparts.com/escort- ... p-610.html

and the time was???

[cathynkeith]

LOL, 11.87

[cathynkeith]

using m&h drag tires, 12.60 on street tires

[averagef250]

Turn key that is a deal.

The difference between just the longblock and turnkey is a huge with a performance engine. The extra $4000 is expert labor and dyno time.

Most people do not in their wildest dreams have the expertise needed to tune a high performance engine.

Kiethcraft is well known in the FE world for building a very potent FE. I'm sure his prices reflect that, but if it's what you want go for it.

[cathynkeith]

MY truck will be up on their web site tomorrow, they got a new web gal that caled for pics and video last week.

http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/

[robroy]

Hi folks! Thanks very much for all the fantastic replies.

AverageF250, that's interesting to point out the cost difference between a long block and turn key performance engine, and I think your point makes a lot of sense.

Proformanceunlimited doesn't seem to have any long block prices advertised on their site, but they do have several short blocks. Their highest end short block is listed at $3,015:

http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/spe ... short.html

I'm guessing that their highest end short block might equal the price of their mid-range long block, so here I can see that an "Apples to Apples" comparison between their prices and other engine builders begins to show more similarity.

This makes me think the engine I'm looking at is probably a fair price, since I don't see any other builder listing a Turn Key 390 with similar performance for much less.

Cathynkeith, thanks for your anecdote that shows your great experience with your stroker! I watched some videos of your burnouts and wondered if the engine I'm looking at will sound like that or not--probably not exactly!

Several folks pointed out that 400-425HP isn't a huge amount of power to get out of a 390, and I suppose this is probably true. As I heard it from Steve at Proformanceunlimited, the engine is relatively smooth, requires almost no tuning once dialed in, and is should be very long lasting.

I also asked him about expected gas mileage. I pointed out that my previous engine in my truck (stock, somewhat funky 360) got around 12-15MPG, and asked it it was reasonable to expect around 10MPG from the new engine, and he said that it was a reasonable ballpark figure. Do you guys agree that this is reasonable?

Since I actually plan to drive the truck fairly often, I'm not so interested in an engine that'll take me down below around 8MPG.

Thanks again for all the superb opinions!
-Robroy