Smeding Performance

I am interested in buying a crate motor from Smeding Performance in Texas.Anybody have any recomendations or experience with them? Thanks....Tim

 

I had a 347" Smeding stroker in an F1 I built. No issues, ran very strong. Wouldn't hesitate to use again

 

I have their lowend 383 SBC flat tappet engine for my non-HAMB-friendly shoebox build. I thought it was great deal for $3895. Seems like their equilivant Ford engines are a lot more expensive.

Haven't fired it up yet, but very satisfied so far. They were very good to work with and the engine came crated very well.

Smeding has been favorably highlighted in rodding magazines in the past. Also, I only found good customer reveiws, nothing negative at all.

 

We bought one at a client's request for a car we did for him. I highly recommend them.

 

If I wasn't a fucken cheap skate, I'd buy one.

 

I bought the top-of-the -line "427 Cobra" from Smedding. essentially a Dart 351W block bored and stroked to 427. AFR aluminum heads, QFT carb. Made 566hp/567tq, best of all, 400ft/lbs at 1200 RPM. Only draw back, not enough manifold vaccum to run power brakes. Motor runs perfect. The shop was great with answering follow questions and the attention to detail in the assembly was amazing. If you're looking for a REALLY hot SBF, look no farther. Not a cheap motor, but worth the price. I live in a snooty Dallas suburb and when I start my car everybody turns to see. The idle signature is nasty beyond description. The Porsche and Ferrari guys don't want to be within a block of me. Next to my car their crap sounds like a coffee can full of angry bees. You can see the motor over on the Dogfight, it's in my Shelby OT.

 

Just bought a 383 stroker, 420hp for a 55 Chevy. Came complete from carb to pan, Dyno sheet and is ready to run. For the money, its a super deal.

 

Bought one of their EFI 383's for my OT truck when they were on introductory pricing better than a year and a half ago. It was supposed to be 370 hp, but turned out to be 419 with 465 lb ft of torque ... I understand their motors usually have more power than advertised ... it's a torque monster. There were some initial teething issues with their Accel EFI setup, but that happens when you buy new tech. Now they are using the FAST EFI setup, which seems to be better. Hey, I'm tickled pink with the motor ... their 3 yr. warranty is great also. Of course, I haven't had to use it. The shop I use sometimes says they've never had an issue with a Smeding motor, but they can't say the same about GMPP. I'd buy from them again if I needed to.

 

Barry,since you are in AZ,what about these guys? http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/ over 40 years + in Phoenix they are offering them in "turn key" now.

 

Thanks to all who responded to my question!! I liked the prompt positive referrals so now all I got to do is decide how much horsepower I want!!

 

I've heard an occasional gripe about component breakage, but their reputation is pretty good. I think I heard they sell engines on eBay, or at least did at one time. Does turnkey mean it has been started and broken in? If so, that may go a long way to preclude failures. Good luck, Jeff.

 

Dad put one of their 383's in his 47. I love it! We have had no issues and it hauls major a**!

 

Yes,they run it and break it in before shipping which seems like a good idea,they still sell through ebay also and some ads will send you to a video of various engines running.

 

How much torque?

 

advertised as 450 lb-ft

 

strong motors! have installed two of the 383's!

 

I've got one of tuffdawg's 328 hp/302 sbf's in my car and love it. Even after 6+ years it doesn't leak, runs hard and makes al the right noises. Darl's a great guy to deal with as well. Highly recommended indeed.

 

I saw some Smeding engines at a swap meet. They had about 6 of them on running stands and you could hear them run. I was VERY impressed. If I had the money, they'd get it.