Just my 2cents on the crate engine. Long story short I wound up going with a base 290hp GM 350, from GM Performance. I found another engine I liked better, but went with the GM motor because of the warranty. I bought the motor from Jegs, and I put it in a 60 vette. As soon as I fired it up, it was out of balance. I went thru everything in the bell housing, believing that it couldn't possibly be the motor. Again long story short, it was the motor. The crank was out some, but the pistons are absolute junk, out of balance, and the skirts are flared out bigger than the bores, as much as .008. The piston scuff had already started to score the crank. I live near San Diego, and I first started going round to get help with this thing from, GM Performance, GM customer service(no phone numbers or e-mail, a written letter is only recourse), and the regional manager, were absolutely no help. I tried all of the GM dealers in San Diego County, no help. The dealerships are independent, and obviously GM has no power over the service dept. None of them would even begin to talk about repairing it, even before they knew what it was in. I am sure others will have stories of just the opposite, but this is my side. The low horse power motors are built in Mexico, they have a bad track record. There only good for 5300 rpm, and mine is a real gas hog. Don't buy because of the warranty, good chance it won't do you any good without a battle. There are a lot of them in a lot of various vehicles out there, but some time your not that lucky. If I had to do it over again, I would keep searching for a very good(someone who can make a true bore, not common out here), reliable engine machine shop, and build what you want form scratch. Less headache, and you know what you have inside in the end. The more expensive GM motors I believe are made in the states, and have a better record. As far as the warranty, I think your better off trying to get the guy down the street to fix it, than some large corporate entity. Good luck.
