Buying a Blueprint | A High-Performance Crate Engine Buying Experience

So, you want to buy a crate engine for your next product? Not sure where to order or who to trust? Those are some of the most common concerns we hear over and over again. We decided to throw our opinion out there for you to consider so you’re a little more educated before dropping some cash. Based on our experiences, we can offer some words of advice and tips for a positive engine-buying experience. We’ve ordered them, installed them, rebuilt them and even destroyed them. So, learn from our past to make the right decision in the future. 

BluePrint Engines was started 30 years ago in a small garage in central Nebraska. What started as a passion for speed turned into a hobby, then a job and finally a career. The founder, Norris Marshall, built one engine at a time for his friends and neighbors while his business and reputation grew bit by bit. Drag racers, circle track racers and street rodders all got some of the first engines produced by BluePrint Engines, and they performed like no other.

Most of us can relate to what happened next. In the early 2000s, mortgages, children and a need for financial security changed the way people shop. Everyday cars, or “grocery-getters,” were easier for dealerships to sell. So, a focus on crate engines for everyday buyers became an important part of their success strategy. This shift pushed Norris into the mainstream, and his success in that endeavor is legendary.

Today, BluePrint Engines has produced more than 300,000 engines for cars and light trucks. The company’s tremendous staff of qualified technicians has a passion for performance both on the job and in the street. Their experience means that BluePrint is the best choice for reliable horsepower that you can drive every day. And you know it’s coming from a solid, reputable company that does the job right and stands behind it.

Keep in mind that most crate engines on the market do not come as complete as their premium lines of engines. BluePrint’s premium crate engines come complete with fuel system, ignition system, plugs, wires, and the water and fuel pumps. Also, know that you can opt for either forged or cast components on most models. Every BluePrint Engine is dyno-tested and balanced, and most engines are backed by a 30-month/50,000-mile warranty. 

Ready to order? Whether you’re building a 4×4 off-road machine, street-driven kit car or frame-off restoration, we recommend Summit Racing. BluePrint Engines makes a powerplant to fit your budget needs, and Summit Racing breaks it down perfectly. Choose from a huge selection of short and long blocks for Chevy, Ford and Chrysler applications or get maximum value with the most complete crate motors on the market. 

Source
BluePrint Engines
2915 Marshall Ave.
Kearney, NE 68847
800-483-4263
www.blueprintengines.com

ENGINE BUILD ORDERING OPTIONS

BARE BLOCK – Brand New Bare Block

Each BluePrint bare-block engine is perfectly cast, precision machined and balanced within 2 grams by only the finest true-blue craftsmen. Our engine blocks are the perfect foundation for your high performance and heavy-duty applications!

SHORTBLOCK (SB) – Block With Internal Components

Each BluePrint shortblock engine assembly includes the block assembled with crank, rods, pistons, freeze plugs, oil galley plugs, and installed cam bearings and features internal components. This option is perfect if you have already invested in a good set of heads, camshaft and intake that you wish to utilize.

SHORTBLOCK PLUS – Block With Internal and External Components

BluePrint Engine’s Shortblock Plus option features internal and external components along with crank, rods, pistons, freeze plugs, oil galley plugs and installed cam bearings. The company’s Shortblock Plus engines are designed for you to customize to fit your build.

COMPLETE ENGINE – NO FUEL DELIVERY

You can get most versions built up to the intake manifold. BluePrint’s base units come complete with oil pans, valve covers and front timing covers. They’ll let you finish the engine out with your fuel and ignition systems. Base models are balanced, blueprinted and dyno tested. If you have good “top end” components, use them on a BluePrint base model.

COMPLETE ENGINE – FULLY DRESSED WITH CARBURETOR

Complete and ready to install, BluePrint’s dressed engines come complete with ignition, carburetor, water pump and even spark plugs. More complete than almost any other crate engine out there, the company’s dressed models provide fast, easy installation. And because they are dyno tested, you can be sure all the components are working perfectly.

COMPLETE ENGINE – FULLY DRESSED WITH FUEL INJECTION

The ultimate in smooth crate engine operation, BluePrint’s fuel-injected engines are complete and ready to install. Experience all that a BluePrint fuel-injected engine has to offer…excellent throttle response throughout the rpm range, better fuel economy and improved cold starting. There’s just nothing like bringing your engine to an instant roar with a simple turn of the ignition key.

Norris Marshall started BluePrint Engines out of his garage by building engines for local racers in 1982. From there, the company expanded to a facility that could house three football fields in just the production area alone.

Since its founding, BluePrint Engines has grown to be one of the largest crate engine manufacturers in the world. BluePrint builds Chevy, GM, Ford and Chrysler crate engines.

These crate engines are high-performance drop-in engines, sometimes called stroker engines or stroker motors. In all cases, these engines offer substantially more horsepower.

Crate engines or crate motors from BluePrint Engines offer a custom builder, hot-rodder or kit car builder an engine that is ready to drop into the vehicle.

BluePrint crate engines come complete with all the components that will be needed to start and run the engine very quickly. In addition, crate engines are dyno-tested and are shipped with documentation of their high-performance power curve. Forged cranks and pistons are also available on all models. BluePrint Engines has produced more than 200,000 engines.

BluePrint Engines 383CI Stroker Crate Engine | Small Block GM Style | Longblock | Aluminum Heads | Roller Cam

MSRP: $4,499

DESCRIPTION:

• HP and torque: 430 hp/450 ft-lbs
• Compression ratio: 10.0:1
• Aluminum heads
• Hydraulic roller cam
• Cast steel crank
• Hypereutectic pistons

BLOCK:

• Hand-picked seasoned block
• Square and parallel decked
• Align honed main bearing bore
• Cylinders honed on computer-controlled machine to within 0.0002 straightness and roundness
• Cylinders are sonic tested for thickness
• Four-bolt main
• 4.000 inches, bored 0.040 inch over
• One-piece rear main seal
• Mech fuel pump provision: Yes
• Passenger side dipstick only 
• Drilled and tapped for clutch linkage

ROTATING ASSEMBLY:

• New BluePrint cast steel crankshaft
• 3.750-inch stroke
• OEM type 5.700-inch connecting rods w/ 150,000 psi bolts
• Hypereutectic pistons
• External front/external rear
• CYLINDER HEADS:
• BluePrint Aluminum Cylinder Heads – H8002K
• 64cc chamber
• 2.02-inch intake/1.60-inch exhaust valves
• 195cc intake/75cc exhaust runners
• CAM SPECS:
• Cam Type: Roller
• .528 intake .536 exhaust
• 221 intake/226 exhaust duration
• @.050 – 110-degree lobe separation

IGNITION TIMING:

• 34 degrees total at 3500 rpm
• ALSO INCLUDES:
• New valve covers, oil pan and timing cover
• Brass freeze plugs
• Dyno test results shipped with engine

WARRANTY:

• 30 month/50,000 mile

BluePrint Engines 302CI Crate Engine | Small Block Ford Style | Dressed Longblock with Carburetor | Iron Heads | Flat Tappet Cam

MSRP: $3,299

DESCRIPTION

• Dyno tested warranty
• HP and torque: 235 hp/317 ft-lbs
• Compression ratio: 8.5:1
• Cast iron heads
• Flat tappet cam
• Cast steel crank
• Hypereutectic pistons

BLOCK:

• Hand-picked seasoned block
• Square and parallel decked
• Align honed main bearing bore
• Cylinders honed on computer-controlled machine to within 0.0002 straightness and roundness
• Cylinders are sonic tested for thickness
• Two-bolt main
• 4.000 inches, bored up to 0.060 inch over
• One-piece rear main seal
• Mech fuel pump provision: Yes

ROTATING ASSEMBLY:

• Ford, machined and balanced by BluePrint Engines
• 3.000-inch stroke
• OEM type 5.090-inch connecting rods
• Hypereutectic pistons
• 50 oz external balance

CYLINDER HEADS:

• Cast iron
• Hardened retainers and springs
• 1.94 swirl polished intake valves
• 1.60 swirl polished exhaust valves

CAM SPECS:

• Cam type: Flat tappet
• .376 intake .389 exhaust
• 184 intake/191 exhaust duration
• @ .050 – 112-degree lobe separation
• IGNITION TIMING:
• Initial timing – 12 degrees and total timing 32 degrees

ALSO INCLUDES:

• Carb
• Intake dual plane
• Harmonic balancer
• Chrome valve covers
• Chrome timing cover
• Distributor
• Water pump, standard rotation
• Fuel pump
• Spark plug wires
• Spark plugs
• Painted oil pan
• Brass freeze plugs
• Dyno test results shipped with engine

WARRANTY:

• 30 month/50,000 mile

BluePrint Engines 632CI ProSeries Stroker Crate Engine | Big Block GM Style | 10.3L | Aluminum Heads | Roller Cam

MSRP: $11,499

DESCRIPTION

• Dyno tested warranty
• HP and torque: 815 hp/775 ft-lbs
• Compression ratio: 11.0:1
• Aluminum heads
• Hydraulic roller cam
• Forged crank
• Forged pistons

BLOCK:

• New BluePrint cast iron block
• Manufactured and machined in the USA
• Four-bolt main
• 4.600-inch bore
• One-piece rear main seal
• Mech fuel pump provision: Yes
• Tall deck (Cyl deck is approx .400 taller/wider than OEM block)

ROTATING ASSEMBLY:

• New BluePrint forged crankshaft
• 4.750-inch stroke
• Forged H-beam 6.635-inch connecting rods
• Forged pistons
• Internal

CYLINDER HEADS:

• BluePrint aluminum cylinder heads -PS8012
• 119cc chamber
• 2.30-inch intake/1.88-inch exhaust valves
• 358cc intake/125cc exhaust runners
• Cylinder heads feature a 0.300-inch raised exhaust port versus an OEM casting.
• Must verify clearance of exhaust, shift linkage, steering components etc. before ordering.

CAM SPECS:

• Cam type: Roller
• .698/.698 lift
• 272 / 282 duration @ .050 – 110-degree LSA

ALSO INCLUDES:

• Valve covers, oil pan and timing cover
• Harmonic balancer
• Dyno test results shipped with engine

WARRANTY:

• 30 month/50,000 mile

BluePrint Engines 427CI ProSeries Stroker Crate Engine | GM LS Style | Dressed Longblock with Supercharger | Aluminum Heads | Roller Cam

MSRP: $18,999

DESCRIPTION

• Dyno tested warranty; watch the dyno video
• HP and torque: 800 hp / 780 ft-lbs
• Compression ratio: 11:1
• Aluminum heads
• Hydraulic roller cam
• Forged crank
• Forged pistons

BLOCK:

• OEM block machined in the USA
• Six-bolt main
• 4.060 inches, bored to 4.069 inches
• One-piece rear main seal

ROTATING ASSEMBLY:

• New forged crankshaft
• 4.125-inch stroke
• Forged 6.125-inch connecting rods
• Forged pistons internal

CYLINDER HEADS:

• BluePrint aluminum cylinder heads -PS8015
• 72cc chamber
• 2.165-inch intake/1.600-inch exhaust valves
• 259cc intake/102cc exhaust runners

CAM SPECS:

• Roller
• .624 intake .624 exhaust lift
• 239 Intake/255 Exhaust duration
• @ .050, 114-degree lobe sep.

IGNITION TIMING:

• ECM supplied with calibration
• Not capable of transmission control
• Transmission controller required

ALSO INCLUDES:

• Supercharger
• Electronic fuel injection
• Coil packs
• Valve covers
• Oil pan
• Water pump
• Belt tensioner arm
• All sensors required for engine to run
• Wiring harness
• Gas pedal
• 90mm drive by wire throttle body
• Timing cover
• Spark plugs
• Spark plug wires
• Harmonic balancer
• Dyno test results shipped with engine!

WARRANTY:

• 30 month/50,000 mile

BluePrint Engines 496 Stroker Crate Engine | Big Block Chevy 454 Style | Dressed Longblock with Carburetor | Aluminum Heads | Roller Cam

MSRP: $8,599

DESCRIPTION

• HP and torque: 600 hp/568 ft-lbs
• Compression ratio: 9.6:1
• Aluminum heads
• Hydraulic roller cam
• Forged crank
• Hypereutectic pistons

BLOCK:

• Hand-picked seasoned block, 454 BBC
• Square and parallel decked
• Align honed main bearing bore
• Cylinders honed on computer-controlled machine to within 0.0002 straightness and roundness
• Cylinders are sonic tested for thickness
• Two-bolt main
• 4.250-inch stroke, bored 0.060-inch over
• One-piece rear main seal
• Mech fuel pump provision: No
• Standard deck

ROTATING ASSEMBLY:

• New BluePrint forged crankshaft
• 4.250-inch stroke
• OEM type 6.385-inch connecting rods w/ 150,000 psi bolts
• Hypereutectic pistons
• External balance

CYLINDER HEADS:

• BluePrint aluminum cylinder heads – PS8013
• 119cc chamber
• 2.30-inch intake/1.88-inch exhaust valves
• 316cc intake/124cc exhaust runners
• Cylinder heads feature a 0.300-inch raised exhaust port versus an OEM casting
• Must verify header/exhaust clearance

CAM SPECS:

• Cam type: Roller
• .566 intake .566 exhaust
• 242 intake/248 exhaust duration
• @ .050 – 112-degree lobe separation
• IGNITION TIMING:
• 34 degrees total at 3500 rpm

ALSO INCLUDES:

• Aluminum intake manifold
• 850 cfm carburetor
• Distributor
• Valve covers
• Oil pan
• Brass freeze plugs

WARRANTY:

30 month/50,000 mile

BluePrint Engines LS 427CI ProSeries Stroker Crate Engine | GM LS Style | Longblock | Aluminum Heads | Roller Cam | Late Model Drop-In Upgrade

MSRP: $8,999

DESCRIPTION

• HP and torque: 625 hp/550 ft-lbs
• Compression ratio: 11:1
• Aluminum heads
• Hydraulic roller cam
• Forged crank
• Forged pistons

BLOCK:

• OEM block machined in the USA
• Six-bolt main
• 4.060 inches, bored to 4.069 inches
• One-piece rear main seal

ROTATING ASSEMBLY:

• New forged crankshaft
• 4.125-inch stroke
• Forged 6.125-inch connecting rods
• Forged pistons
• Internal

CYLINDER HEADS:

• BluePrint aluminum cylinder heads -PS8015
• 72cc chamber
• 2.165-inch intake/1.600-inch exhaust valves
• 259cc intake/102cc exhaust runners

CAM SPECS:

• Cam type: Roller
• .624 intake .624 exhaust lift
• 239 intake/255 exhaust duration
• @ .050, 114-degree lobe sep.

IGNITION TIMING:

• ECM controlled (not included – customer sends their original ECM to BluePrint for reprogramming)

ALSO INCLUDES:

• Timing cover
• LS3 Intake manifold

WARRANTY:

• 30 month/50,000 mile

BluePrint Engines 427CI ProSeries Stroker Crate Engine | GM LS Style | Dressed Longblock with Carburetor | Aluminum Heads | Roller Cam

MSRP: $10,499

DESCRIPTION

• Dyno tested warranty
• HP and torque: 625 hp/550 ft-lbs
• Compression ratio: 11:1
• Aluminum heads
• Hydraulic roller cam
• Forged crank
• Forged pistons

BLOCK:

• OEM block machined in the USA
• Six-bolt main
• 4.060 inches, bored to 4.069 inches
• One-piece rear main seal

ROTATING ASSEMBLY:

• New forged crankshaft
• 4.125-inch stroke
• Forged 6.125-inch connecting rods
• Forged pistons internal

CYLINDER HEADS:

• BluePrint aluminum cylinder heads -PS8015
• 72cc chamber
• 2.165-inch intake/1.600-inch exhaust valves
• 259cc intake/102cc exhaust runners

CAM SPECS:

• Roller 
• .624 intake .624 exhaust lift
• 239 intake/255 exhaust duration
• @ .050, 114-degree lobe sep

IGNITION TIMING:

• Ignition box required

ALSO INCLUDES:

• Carburetor – 850cfm with mechanical secondaries, dual accelerator pumps and mechanical choke
• Single plane aluminum intake
• Harmonic balancer
• Valve covers, retro fit oil pan and timing cover
• Coil packs and coil pack harness
• Crank, cam and MAP sensors
• Spark plug wires and wiring harness
• Dyno tested and shipped with results

WARRANTY:

• 30 month/50,000 mile