Pilot Engines, Inc.

SFGator

SFGator

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2010
Location
Linden, NC
Hi, does anyone know anything about these guys, Pilot Engines, Inc. in Pilot Mountain, NC? How is the quality of their engines and service? My 22RE is at the 300K mark, runs good but is starting to leak oil, like from everywhere. Their prices seem a bit low which can be a bad thing. Thanks in advance.
 
Seems I posed this question several years ago, and it was not met with glowing responses. If you're looking for somebody in the Triad area, I've got a guy I trust off Shattalon Rd in Winston. He may not be the cheapest, but he's very good. There's probably a dozen "good" 22r builders within 30 miles of here, though.
 
I've heard several negative things about Pilot Engines. Some people i know have friends that used them and was displeased. Of course this is not first hand experience from me, just what I've heard.
 
Thanks, the low price turned me off, the ole you get what you pay for thing, but I fugured I'd ask. I'm actually in the Fayetteville area and will probably run it by Chase at ECGS. Thanks again.
 
Last rebuild I did ran me right at $1k. Machine shop assembled the short block and I did the rest with help from a friend. Used quality gaskets and a Toyota head gasket. I would be wary of anybody that charges less than $1k. They probably reuse head bolts and cut corners.
 
Thanks, my biggest problem is time. I don't have much free time and don't want to spend the rest of the Winter chipping away at an engine. Pilot charges $1795 to do the swap plus I believe you have to have a core to avoid a charge. Not dirt cheap but it seems a little low. Plus I would want my own cam and steel guide/dual row timing chain installed.
 
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Dr Bo's Machine Shop in Greensboro.
 
Looks like I am gong to take it to Higgins in Salisbury. Heard good things about the shop and spoke to Jim today. He knows what he is talking about and sounds like a good guy.
 
Guys, all the negative stuff you heard about this engine shop is true from my experience. First you get a low price to get the work started, then you get hassled about replacement parts IE new radiator and water pump that was never discussed with the engine price. This engine shop did my 5.7 Vortec and it has not ran right since the college kids installed it. It had problems with a vacuum leak in the intake because the gaskets were not replaced. The fuel injection was leaking inside the manifold and fuel pressure was erratic, the engine shop could not identify why it was running lean. The engine started leaking coolant because the shop did not replace any hoses while the engine was apart. The timing cover and oil pan are leaking oil. I sent my oil to a lab and identified antifreeze in the engine oil right after changing the oil.

Pilot Engines is impossible to deal with when their inexperienced mechanics broke stuff and cannot install gaskets or hoses correctly. Advance Auto Parts is their supplier who sells garbage parts. These guys stripped the oil drain plug and every gasket on my engine needs to be replaced in less than 3,000 miles of highway use. This shop has refused to fix anything but is quick to sell you parts that are not necessary to fix your engine.. I had to buy these parts. Radiator + oil cooler, fan clutch, water pump, distributor, Bosh Platinum spark plugs.. Find a better shop to do your engine work.
 
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