Don,
Asking an engine builder about crates is a loaded question!
Ok, let's say you run an open(pro, ACT) late model. If you start from scratch, your into probably 25k at the minimum to get a name brand chassis, wide 5s, quick change etc with a template body. So your probably not going to worry about the "cost" of a built engine.
I belive the opens run a 604 as well, they are more expensive than the 602 by almost 2 grand.
If you count in the 1000 dollar headers, triple disc clutch and reverse mount bellhousing, trick 2 speed transmissions you easily have 40 grand wrapped up in a car.
Cost is not the issue here per se, crates are low maintenence, easy to hook up if you don't know chassis, and they are pretty much bullet proof.
BUT (there's always a but) the idea behind crates is to make racing more "affordable" which they do, but they also make racing pretty boring. All the wrecks we see nowadays are a product of crates.
If you have car A that is 4 10ths slower than car B because car A doesn't handle, and they both have the same power, car B will have a difficult time getting around if car A drives a narrow line and blocks. So what happens then? Shove him outta the way, that's what happens.
And me, with my legal built engines, has to see a Vortec headed (illegal in all classes) and a 480 lift cam (illegal in tc/ss) run SLOWER than my 1973 heads that have 2 grand into them, AND a stock lift cam! You want to make it "fair" and "affordable"?
Let us run vortecs. They are 99% race ready out of the box (or wrecking yard)
Old open chamber heads need tons of work and $ to make them competitive.
The crates are built to about 70% of what they should be, the weak valve springs and cam profile are limit the hp and rpm range to make them live.
If i could build a vortec headed engine, without the radical stock lift profile capped at 6200 rpm, i could knock 2 grand i bet off the price of an engine.
You dont need steel cranks, balancing, aftermarket rods, screw in studs, guideplates, you could use 2 piece valves, inexpensive valvesprings, hypereutectic pistons etc etc.
PLEASE refrain from opening up the crate debate again here, start a new topic for that.
If there are tech questions, also open another topic
Thanks
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