Grooms engines?

[deezdad]

Seeking up to date experiences and reviews from anyone running a Grooms Engine. Reliability, performance, etc... Thanks -Dan

 

[Marc87GN]

I don't have one in the car, but I called and spoke to someone at Grooms a week ago and they are no longer making the level 1. They are only carrying the Level 2 & 3. I'm ordering a Level 3 as soon as I have enough money for a CK Stage 1 200-4R (hopefully in a month or less). I want to do both at the same time. I was told that they could get a Level 3 shortblock to my door in 10-14 days which sounds great to me. I spoke to a very nice guy that answered all of my questions.

 

[deezdad]

Thanks Marc, I have no clue about how an engine works internally but I noticed the differences between the level one and level two motors are forged pistons, double roller timing chain, apr bolts etc...are these big diffferences over the stock set up? What is different betwween level two and three? I'm assuming the level yhree would be a good choice for me and my combo as I don't race other than to pick on rice and mustangs.

 

[Marc87GN]

Thanks Marc, I have no clue about how an engine works internally but I noticed the differences between the level one and level two motors are forged pistons, double roller timing chain, apr bolts etc...are these big diffferences over the stock set up? What is different betwween level two and three? I'm assuming the level yhree would be a good choice for me and my combo as I don't race other than to pick on rice and mustangs.

The Level 3 comes with a RJC Girdle. I don't plan on making more than 450 rwhp, but that could change and I only want to do this once. I would say those are definitely big differences between the level 1 & 2. I realize that many people have gone real fast on bone stock parts, but that doesn't make it a great idea. I went 10s in a turbocharged 99 GT on the stock longblock, but when it broke, it was a violent death. I figure a good girdled short block, P&P heads/intake is something solid to build on and the block should handle 10s with no problem.

 

[sdteb]

grooms

i live here in nashville and if you are going to get one ask for doug anderson....he is a mgr there and make sure you check for the correct crank in it...talk with him....he is a buick owner....i have good and bad things about them...probably the same with anyone..

 

[deezdad]

Thanks Marc, I have no clue about how an engine works internally but I noticed the differences between the level one and level two motors are forged pistons, double roller timing chain, apr bolts etc...are these big diffferences over the stock set up? What is different betwween level two and three? I'm assuming the level yhree would be a good choice for me and my combo as I don't race other than to pick on rice and mustangs.

Whoops...I meant to say level two would be a good choice for me. So heres a dumb question, whats the difference between short and long block? Is a short block what you would get from Grooms? What else would I need to make it complete?

 

[Pronto]

Short block= no heads, long block with heads. Some crate motors (other than Buicks) will add intake, distributor, carb depending on vendor.

 

[frankg]

How much are they charging for the long and shortblock? Frank

 

[WH1]

I bought a Level 2 shortblock from Grooms in March. At the time, all of their ready to go blocks were .040 to .060. So I took them my spare motor and they bored it .030 over. I can't say anything but praise for them, I'm completely satisfied with it. One of the transmission flanges was broken off and they repaired it for me free of charge. It took them about 3 weeks to complete it and it now has around 950 miles on it. I didn't mind as I picked it up from them anyways. They always give a fairly impressive seminar on how they build their motors at the GS Nat's. Mine is: align honed and fully balanced .030 over forged TRW pistons, all ARP hardware and the GSCA 205/205 club cam. My Level 2 short block was $2,780 tax and everything; I believe the Level 3 is $3000 plus TN. sales tax.

 

[frankg]

Did they supply the turbo crank and rest of the parts or was that using all your stuff balancer, flywheel, new timing cover etc.? Frank

 

[Marc87GN]

Did they supply the turbo crank and rest of the parts or was that using all your stuff balancer, flywheel, new timing cover etc.? Frank

Absolutely they use genuine turbo cranks. They are easy for them to get because they charge a good size core charge and people, like myself, send in their engines. The shortblock I'm sending back has 51K original and the factory crank is in good condition. I'm sure it will end up in another engine. I would doubt that an engine builder of that size would lie about using turbo cranks if they say that is what they are using.

http://www.groomsengines.com/buick-231-turbo.html

 

[frankg]

So then that price is with a good core or rebuilding your shortblock basically. I do shortblocks like that for $2550 forged pistons, Arp throughout, best rings and bearings, balanced, line bored, decked, 204-214 cam and new front covers. Frank