Are you hiring? - If you are an experienced engine builder or machinist; we may have a spot for you. Contact Chris at Cross Racing Products by phone or e-mail. At this time, we are not doing any training but we can recommend some schools if you are interested in a career in the racing engine business.
Do you have a guarantee or warranty on your engines? - We have a 2 year and 3 year unlimited mileage warranty that is included with all pre-packaged OEM rebuilds and all street/strip and some race engines that we build. It is also optional on custom builds. However, the warranty does not include blown, turbo charged or nitrous engines. The engines also must be installed by an ASE certified technician for the warranty to be valid. Full details are available on request.
Why are crate engines cheaper than custom engines? - The same reason that a Hyundai costs less than a Rolls-Royce, a steak at Sizzler costs less than one at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and why Wal-Mart clothes cost less than do ones from Nordstrom; quality and speed of delivery. Both types of engines have their respective buyers and that is OK by us. Some crate engine prices are so cheap that we would have to cut back on our quality to compete and we just refuse to do so. Quality may not be that important to some people and, again, that is OK with us. We cater to the customer that wants the best and is willing to wait for the best. Does that delicious juicy steak arrive to you as quick as a Big-Mac? Probably not. Does it taste better? Yes, very much so.
Is my engine done yet? - If you have to ask then the answer is probably no. We will call you as soon as it is done and that is a promise. Scouts Honor! However, if you are the type of guy or gal that needs to check on us every 15 minutes (slowing down the whole process I may add), then you may be wanting to sign up for our new daily e-mail updates. It is a great way for impatient people to be informed as soon as even the most mundane of tasks are completed on your job. Details coming soon! Also, see next question.
How can I get my engine project finished sooner? - A 100% pre-pay is the best way to get moved to the top of the list. On complete custom engines, we generally move at the speed of payment. Many times in the past we would finish an engine with a 50% deposit only to have it sit finished waiting for the customer to pick it up. This kills our cash flow and our storage space. So, if you can not afford to pay 100% up front, give us what you can and we will go as far on your engine as you have paid. This way, you set the pace of your engine job.
My friend says hypereutectic pistons are junk. What do you think? - The fun of this industry is the large amount of "experts" that are available to send you down the wrong path and the relatively small handful of true experts to put you back on the right path. Many people have had problems with hypereutectic pistons for one of two reasons.
1) They may have just ignored reading the instructions. Many people miss that slightly important detail of the required extra ring gap. Too much ring gap does not hurt much (or any) but too little is a disaster waiting to happen. When the ring expands to the point of the two ends butting, and the ring still wants to expand, it is going somewhere and the path of least resistance is upwards by removing a section of the piston crown. That is a guarantee to ruin your day and put more dollars in the pocket of your friendly neighborhood machine shop.
2) They may have put the piston in an ill prepared engine or in an engine that required a more "elastic" piston such as a 2618 forged piston. We have used the KB hypereutectic pistons in many engines including blown, turbo and nitrous with much success. However, in severe applications, there may be situations that are beyond what the hypereutectic can handle so we simply do not use them in that case. That is not saying that they are junk because they are superior to forged pistons in many ways, in many applications. Everything has it's place and there is a place for everything.
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