I'm sure this has been talked to death, forgive me. For a single engine/car team starting out that doesn't a have huge budget (but isn't shoestring either) does it make sense to dedicate a large chunk of upfront budget to a big name builder versus money spent elsewhere. Do you really get what you pay for? Those with a Gaerte, Ott, Shaver etc... Are you really satisfied with your dollars spent? Could that money have gone to a local builder, get a durable (albeit less hp) motor and spread the difference around? Thanks.

I have seen claxton engines run with all of them.

Kercher Racing Engines is another one

If you don't know what to do with your race car then no elite motor will help you. Learn your car and setups and then get horsepower.

Strpko Engineering makes this old, fat driver look good on the odd occasion. And best of all for next to nothing. I got lucky finding Mark!

The hp can almost be overcome with driver and car setup. Or buy a used big name motor and have your freshening done locally. It's very prevalent in the tqs. Many nights the new 4 valve motors will run behind because of setup driver vs a motor that's down 30hp but is setup well with a good driver

Don Ott's are very reliable and run great! 13 Wins on USAC national tour this year.

I think Williams Precision Engines does really well at making reliable power within your budget, and provides great support as well.

Mark Cummins Racing Engines does one heck of a job and has a full machine shop in house too! He does a lot of block repair for Donovan and many other race teams and is a former Sprint Car driver himself along with his son, Kyle. 812-386-7691 is the shop number. Give him a call and tell him J.T. sent you!

I appreciate the feedback. I'd like to hear from any teams that have gone both routes, (ponied up the coin for a "name" builder versus going local). I suspect it depends alot on personal budget comfort/size. You have "X" amount of dollars to build a car, Team A: decides 70% for engine. Team B: 50%