Anyone running Performance Engineering 557?
 

Just wanted to know if anyone is running the Performance Engineering 557 cu.in. in their SPF or other cobra and what they thought of it and their experience with Eric and others at PE? Thanks.

I would suggest that you look into an engine builder a little closer to where you live. If any problems should occur you wouldn't have any shipping issues or other possible inconveniences. It is also an advantage to being able to visit your builder without a scheduled trip. It is always better to go with a builder as close to you as possible.

Performance Engineering
 

Eric built a 522 for me and it ran flawlessly........not one problem. The Canton oil pan did develop a leak after 1,000 or so miles. I spoke with Eric and he had Canton ship me a new oil pan and paid my local mechanic to fix it. Very simple.

Although Eric and Performance Engineering is closer to me than you (approx. 3 hours), Eric has done 100's of engine installs and builds a great motor. If I lived in Florida, I wouldn't hesitate about having Eric build me a motor and do the install. I am sure that you have plenty of shops down there that could handle any problems if needed.

He also, throughly inspects the cars after the install, dyno tunes them and puts a few miles on them (weather permitting) just to iron out any bugs that there may be in the chassis.

Well, maybe not always. First, It always is best to get an engine builder who knows what they're doing, and then proximity second.

Eric's shop is right behind Dynamic motorsports, and I would guess he has done more SPF engine installs than any other private engine builder. He's built alot of motors. His prices are very reasonable. If anybody does it cheaper, I would think they had to cut some corners. I would think Eric is about as good as anybody else. If you're not going to install the engine yourself, I would have him do the install and dyno tune. He's working on an engine right now for me, that a previous builder didn't put together correctly, and then blew (snapped a connecting rod and bent the crank). If I had known in the beginning that my engine was not done correctly, I would either had done the engine myself, or had someone like Eric build it for me. Eric also fixed another engine of mine, a stock stroke 427 SO that had coolant leaking problems, and then chassis dyno tuned the engine. He got a 40 year old 780 Holley working really good, in fact , the engine/car on his dyno made about 40-50 more torque/HP than any of the Roush 427R motors that he has installed. I used the fixing of this engine to determine if I would let him touch my other engine, which I have him now doing.

Just to let you know, Eric is also a Shelby American dealer, and builds aluminum Shelby motors, some of them destined for other SAI dealer installs. He also is building the Genesis 427 engines.

I'm assuming the 557 is a 460 type block. Did you consider a stroked FE, Genesis block, 496. I would think the price difference would not be that great.

I met with Eric during a visit at Dynamic Motorsports. He certainly seems to be a straight shooter, and as referenced does many of the engine builds for Dynamic (one of, if not the largest SPF dealer[s]).

The 557 is indeed a bored/stroked 460 motor. From what I recall, the price point for this engine through Eric was roughly $12k, which is substantially less than a 427 FE-based motor. It's hard to beat the 460-based motors for HP/torque for your dollar.

Eric has built several motors for me and the customers are satisfied with his work. I too have considered the 557cu motor. It is a lot of hp for the money. Always there for me to ask a question, and has given me a straight answer.

Bill

Is the 557 based off of a stock block, or an "aftermarket motorsport" block ?

what is the web link for performance engineering?

I would like to add that my PE 418 Stroker runs incredibly strong. Never misses a beat in 5k. It starts before I can let go of the key...:)

It requires two or three gallons of Rocket 111 race fuel per tank to keep it happy, but I don't see that as an issue. That is most likely due to the crappy blended 91 octane gas we have here in SE WI.

Wouldn't trade it for anything! :D

I believe that the typical 557 that Eric at PE builds uses a "seasoned" iron 460 block (at least that's what I discussed with him, and that's what the spec sheet I received from him indicated).