Buildin an engine, my self or a builder

[Chanman420q]

i decided to go with hetrick, i was looking at there web site for there 400ex engine kits, and this is it...

Hetrick Racing Engine Kit Prices
Retail

Hetrick 416, 425, 440 Kits for Honda 400ex

Web Cam – 450/451 Grind (other cams available at request)
$160.

Gaskets – Head

Base
$16.07

$7.31

Labor if motor is shipped
$150.

Bore Cylinder
$40.

Total with Ross Racing or JE Piston 416/426 (includes all above items)
$505.33

Total with Wiseco Piston 416/425 (includes all above items)
$472.08

Total for Full Nikasil 440 National – Most Durable 440 on the market! - $849.95

Total for Sleeve 440 National $649.95



Full Race Port Job
Add $175.

Hetrick Racing Pipe and Silencer Kit
Add $439.

38mm Lectron Carburetor
Add $289.

39mm or 41mm FCR Carburetor
Add $485.

Heavy Duty Stud Kit
Add $85.

High Rev CDI Box (Unlimited RPM)
Add $129.

Uni Foam Air Filter
Add $25

Heavy Duty Cam Chain
Add $100

i was gunna go with the 505 dollar kid with a 416 ross piston. I was also thinking of going with the Race port. so it would be about 680 bucks. Thats all i would need for now. How much do u think i could save buy just buying all this ( except the port job ) and doing it my self? would it be worth it?

[remlapr]

Why not send it to C & D? I'm sure their prices would be about the same if not cheaper and you will probably get better service.

[dirtmomma]

We got a 460 kit for our 400 (not installed yet) but what we did was look up all the parts needed then ordered them thru my bro in law who is a Wiseco dealer:D then will do most it ourselves, we did that kind of w/ my 300 here a couple weeks ago. I have a great Machine shop who sponsors us & he did the boring for me.

[Chanman420q]

im just wondering if it would save that much money to have someone else install that. Say i got JUST the 500 dollar kit, and had them install it and all that. How much would i save, buying all that stuff and doing it my self. This is what im trying to get at

[EvilJester400EX]

Some people that do engine work will warranty their stuff if it blows up. If you blew it up... well, you're screwed, lol. I would just send it off to someone, either to Hetrick themselves, or get all the parts in and send it to a local dealer to do all the work.

[Chanman420q]

thats what im thinking, but saving say 200 dollars well that would be my port job right there, or half way to the FCR carb

[MIKE400EX]

You'll need hardfaced rockers with that cam. Add $250.
Also some better springs if you use the unlimited rev. CDI.
Maybe some valve seals and a valve job too.

[Chanman420q]

what im asking is, if i bought all the parts that came in that kit, and installed it my self how much could i save?

[ny300exrider]

you could probably save around 150-200 dollars by doing it yourself but it may be best to have them install it so you dont need to worry about anything. thats just my .02

good luck man and tell us how the hetrick kit is, i always favored hetrick over everyone

[Chanman420q]

it probobly is better.... but 200 bucks is alot for me right now...... so i dunno.... anyone else know of any other good engine builders. I dont want a long turn around time either

im also debating to do it my self, because i take a motor class in school and i could easily turn this into a school project and get a grade for it.

[skemp]

Hetrick does really good work, and the customer service is excellent. I had Rich do the race port job on my head and I am SATISFIED. :) Their exhaust is also the best overall that I have used; much like the Sparks, but with a smaller price tag and better quality in mine and others' opinions. You can save money by doing it yourself, but the pros can make a motor almost bulletproof. :macho

[Diedrich]

FDO is good.. u could save some money..all u really need is to have someone bore it..then send the head off too be ported..u can do the rest

[Chanman420q]

how much could i save doing it my self though