in/near so cal, who has some tips on a good engine builder, I'm thinking "severe duty" type engine, 450-500 horse I want something dependable, anything with a warranty is absolutely ideal
I've been looking on ebay etc and found this, anyone have experience with them?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARINE-CHEVY-454-7-4-ENGINE-1995-REBUILT-PROF-LONG-BLOCK-BIG-BLOCK-CHEVY-/160818566774?hash=item2571889676&item=160818566774&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
I've got everything other than a good long block (blew it the other weekend in blythe 
)
Thanks for any help or ideas you guys have 
The ad says it has Sealed Power pistons, meaning cast pistons or hyper pistons. Either type of piston can be suitable for 450 hp jet boat engine if the tune is right, but having said that we wouldn't build a jet boat engine with Sealed Power hypereutectics. Too often, we've seen and heard of marine engines whose Sealed Power hypers come apart. Engine tune might have played a part in some of those builds, but certainly not in all of them and it always seems to be the Sealed Power hypers that end up like gravel in the bottom of the oil pan....whereas the KB hypers stand up to all kinds of abuse when set up correctly and the engine is kept in good tune. (By the way bad tune can kill most
any piston, including forged.) I'm pretty sure the engine shop in the Ebay link is in Truckee, CA (near Lake Tahoe), so shipping will be added to the sales price. And if you have a warranty issue then there will be shipping fees again--both there and back.
We have a rebuilt 454 Mk IV longblock, 0.030" overbore KB's, oval port heads (would need to check which ones), mild cam, new rings, bearings, etc, perhaps 425 hp +/- (depending on external bolt ons), located in SoCal, $2300. Call if interested.
LO
P.S.: If you want a lot more engine, ie forged pistons H-beam rods, etc, then be prepared to spend a LOT more money.
