Engine Builder in Florida
 

Hey guys. I have a pair of 760hp fuel injected GM big block engines that I would like to get refreshed. Is there a reputable engine builder that I can go to in florida? I am staying away from Cobra marine heard some iffy things about them. Anyone have any experience with Innovation Marine?

What part of Florida are you in? Jeff Harris Performance is just North of Montgomery, Alabama. Just threw that out there in case you were in the Northern part of Florida.

this should be an interesting topic.....:drink:.............X2 for Jeff H

:food-smiley-007:

Innovation is very good.

Innovation or Carolina Racing Engines

Trying to stick to Florida because they are going to be shipped in from the Caribbean. Alabama isn't out of the question.

Don't let the name fool you, Carolina Racing is in Ft. Lauderdale

also HRE over in cape coral/ft myers area

rotflol

What ECM's are running the EFI, Id make sure who ever you choose knows how to tune them if need be.

And "Florida Marine Tanks" are in the Carolinas.

I am not from florida, but i would assume finding a good shop where boats were borned should not be a challenge! Right?

Mesa balancing

they are in florida?

Absolutely correct. Thanks for the reminder. I will be visiting those 2 shops next week.

+1 for Innovation. Good people there.

I always thought they were in Arizona lo!!

Rebuilders
 

RPM Performance and Machine. Ft Walton Beach Fl. Rebuilt my 496 HO. Upgraded internals and installed Supercharger. Call and talk to Brad, but they stay busy. Ship all over and do lots of custom work.

Innovation

Ironically, no, Florida is the "Sunny state for shady people"

There are some good ones but a lot of horror stories too... The thread names every reputable engine builder down here. Outside of this list it wouldnt be a good idea. Plus, almost all of the smaller guys that I used 5-7 years ago have swapped to "only outboards".

Innovation Marine is not far from me. Visited the shop a couple of years ago. CLEAN and up to date equipment. Friendly office staff. I didn't have the work done and don't know personally who has. Good luck......

Innovation Marine Inc.
8011 15th St E
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-355-7852

Ive never had anything done by them, but spoke on the phone with Laz a couple times a few years for pretty extended periods, and he seemed like he would be good/easy to work with

Express racing engines. Deland Fl

If I were in a position to have engine work done for my own boat, I would have to rely on my own personal experience of boat racing starting in 1958.
I would only have one choice......INNOVATION Marine in Sarasota.
Good people, quality work and these people really know what they are doing, because they have done it so many times before.

+1 for Bruce Baker at Express. ;)

Having spent a questionable sum of money with an engine builder in Florida, I'd take my business elsewhere if/when the need arises again. Innovation would be high on my list at that point.

Before you decide, find out who actually puts a warranty on their work. Should narrow down your list.

Laz at Mesa Balancing will do you right.

Flagship Marine Punta Gorda, FL.

A plus for Flagship Marine. Bought parts there and they were very fair.

I used Innovation in 2009/2010 to assemble, tune, and dyno two new 540 cu.in.Dart short blocks with Mercury EFI top end(s). The price was reasonable, the engines were great. The shop, expertise, and experience was great. It has been 13 years since that experience, but based on that, I fully recommend Innovation Marine.

I am always curious what is reasonable?

Wondering what kind of power you got and which EFI's, I will be ready to next winter and want to start thinking about how much. Of course I know it will be more then what you paid but I have no benchmark now.

Honestly a bill from 12-13 years ago won't give you any idea for today's cost.

GO BRANDON!!!

my bad I thought it was 2019,,,,,,, yea that isn’t going to help.

so what would someone say a refreash on a 500EFI would be assuming new rotating assembly and new heads would run?

This is my post when the work was completed in Phantom Owner's forum:

Motors: 540 cu.in. Darts with the MerCruiser 502/415 top-end EFI. 9.5 pistons, Iron ProTopline cylinder heads (I think they are 290's, not 320's). The Dyno at Innovation using my Gil Headers, not tube headers for the dyno test:

Dyno Numbers from Innovation:

Horsepower:
Port Motor: 517.7 hp @ 5000 rpm
Starboard Motor: 519.4 hp @ 5000 rpm

These motors peak at 5000 rpm on horsepower

Peak torque:
Port Motor: 646.2 lb./ft. @ 3700 rpm
Starboard: 641.0 lb./ft. @ 3700 rpm

Flagship is 6 months out and does not deal directly with the public. Super nice people, but thats what I was told when I stopped by last Monday. He just said to have your mechanic/marina make the call.

Your loooking at probably 16k on that. A good friend is having both of his done right now and I know they are right at that each. Also good luck with getting pistons and heads right now.

depending on goals and hours on what you have it varies. if your crank and rods are fine, it saves you a ton. new rings arent much and if you stay with the same bore if cylenders are good even more of a savings. as for the heads, unless you want alum yours can be redone and will be fine, good valves and beehive springs are a good upgrade, a little more pricey but worth it. the real expense comes in if you change the tune etc. then you have to get into fuel delivery and injectors.

Incorrect, lots of shoddy (i hesitate to even use the word) workmanship here.

A bit off topic, but do u feel that's for all boating aspects? I am wanting my Cafe rigged & painted & have been debating to keep it in midwest to have places i have dealt with before do the work, or bring it down to FL where i will be living. My assumption was FL has more places to do the work, but then i hear all these scam stories. Unfortunately taking it to Lipship or the new Cig restoration place is not an option.