Has anyone bought an engine from American Speed ?

[ColinHudson]

Although I'm a year or so away from shelling out for an engine I heard about these guys the other day and wonder whether anyone has any experience of buying an engine from them.

http://www.amerspeed.com

Their prices seem good but a few questions spring to mind:

On the cost front:-
1. Import duty (is this 'just' VAT ..?)
2. Shipping costs (any idea about air freight for an SBC)

On the engine front:
1. Will they build from a seasoned (ie used) block to qualify under the pre-cat SVA regs ?
2. Are the horespower/torque figures to be believed ? (I've heard that the American HP figures are like their pints - a bit lightweight)


The whole arms length purchase / import thing seems fraught with uncertainty, but on the other hand they supply engines to the Ultima guys in the UK.

Any thoughts..?

Cheers

Colin

[robert]

Colin

I have not personally heard of American Speed, but have heard of the UK arm of American Speed which used to be run by Jim Blackburn until he had a heart attack. The business I beleive was then sold off by his son.

Do a search on american speed and there might be one or two items.

In terms of shipping, you will have to pay Import Duty AND VAT on the block, cannot help on the shipping costs.

US HP is quoted at SAE BHP, not DIN BHP which is what we use. The differential between the HP figures is approximately 15%.

The 7500 dollars for a 383 equates to £5,203.48 ex VAT, inc VAT is £6110, then you have to add duty and shipping.

Then, where does the support come from if there are any problems?

I personally would use one of the highly respected engine builders in the UK, EDA or Huddart.

Robert
Forum Admin

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[Miket]

Colin

Have a look at www.enginefactory.com

Miket

[kdavies3]

I have just imported a 383 stroker 450bhp , from the engine factory I should be collecting it from the airport tomorrow in fact (Yippee!).
I have found Matt Walsh their Chevy man to be extemely helpful all the along the line.
Shipping by air was $600, I've actually had the engine built complete with chrome alternator, belt and billet flywheel etc. Total inc. shipping was $6740.
But then at this end you have import duty of 4.2%, VAT @17.5% 0n everything.
Airport handling charges about £35 plus the forwarding agents fee for sorting the customs another £32 plus 3% of the VAT and duty, again around £32.

I reckon all in the engine will have cost me a total of £6080 inclusive of everything.

By the way the customs commodity codes are for an engine - 8407349900
Duty 4.2%
for a gearbox - 8708409000 duty of 4.5%

hope this of help to anyone considering bringing in the big bits.

I'll let you know if I have any problems when I see the engine tomorrow.

cheers

Kev Davies

[ColinHudson]

Kev,

Thanks for the information - I hope it all went well at the airport today, I'm interested to hear more.

Another quick question - When they built your engine did they use a pre '86 block? (ie to get by under the 4.5% CO emissions test).

Rob,
Thanks for explaining SAE vs DIN horsepower, although as you say in a recent post elsewhere it's the torque figures that really matter.

Cheers

[robert]

>Rob,
>Thanks for explaining SAE vs DIN horsepower, although as you say in a
>recent post elsewhere it's the torque figures that really matter.
>
>Cheers

Yep, but everyone seems to concentrate on the hp figures.

Robert
Forum Admin

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[dave]

Hi Robert.
The 383 engine that i bought for a customer from Mike Huddart cost £4,500 plus vat. on his dyno it produced 449 BHP at 6000 rpm and 447 ft lb of torque at 3500 rpm. the running in and dyno test cost an extra £250.
this was a turn key engine that included fly wheel and clutch cover along with all other ancilaries. pictures can be found on my website in the "watch a build" section that is linked from the bottom of my gallery page.

Total spent £5,537.50 and if anything goes wrong with it i don't have to crate it up and ship it to the States.

The only problem so far has been trying to get the Dax side pipes to flow free enough to handle the beast.... Think i've sorted it now by removing the 2" perf. tube from the baffle and replacing it with 3". }> Now it can set off car alarms three counties away. :7 :7 :7

[wilf]

Only three counties?? Wuss.

Wilf :P

[VinceGledhill]

You've only got little counties. You can't hear "owt" from Lancashire here. Unless you're close to't border.

Regards
Vince@gledhill.info

[kdavies3]

Hi Colin,
Yes the built the engine based on 'old' block at my request, as I said they were entirely helpful. I must admit that it sounds like Dave (pro dax builder) may have a cheaper route in this country.
By the way Dave, thanks for the advice on clutch cylinders etc. the other day.
I agree with the folks too about BHP isn't what matters it's all about torque!!


Kev Davies