Performance Engines
At Tri-Shield, we offer 4 basic levels of Street Performance 455 engines, and 2 different levels of Race Engine Preparation. These are dyno proven combinations, that offer excellent performance, reliability and value. We are constantly testing and installing these engines in customer's vehicles, so that gives us first hand knowledge of how these combo's perform. We R&D our stuff constantly, sparing no expense to offer the finest parts, and the highest level of performance in our complete assemblies. Since we not only build the engine, but often the entire car here at the shop, we have first hand knowledge of how our stuff works. Not many shops can claim this, and as the customer, this is a big advantage for you. Parts matching, to the rest of your drive train is critical. We have the experience to offer proven combo's for you.
We hold our work to the highest standards, from the initial concept of the engine, right thru the dyno phase. Nothing is left to chance, dimensions and fits are exact.
Here is a list of procedures all our engines go through.
Inspection:
Only hand selected blocks, connecting rods, and crankshafts are used. We discard approximately 1/3 of the stock connecting rods we receive for cores. Only blocks with minimal core shift are used. All blocks are sonic checked, and bored to acceptable limits.
Cleaning-
All cores are glass beaded, to insure perfect cleanliness. This includes the entire block, heads, timing covers, rods and cranks. All parts are washed repeatedly during the assembly process, and the assembly is sealed at all times, until you install it.
This would be what we consider clean!
Block work-
All our engines are machined on Sunnen cylinder bore equipment, and the final hone is done with a torque plate installed. All deck surfaces squared, and all combo's utilize a "zero" deck height. We have every block casting number is stock, so you can have a "correct" casting number for your car, if that matters to you. All engines are line honed in the main bearing bores. New brass freeze plugs are installed. Main saddle oil holes are chamfered. And, the critical step of machining the intake flanges of the heads, and the intake rails of the block are not overlooked, each engine is mocked up before assembly, and is fitted with .060 thick intake gaskets, and then the heads and front and rear of the block are machined to insure precise intake alignment, and gasket crush, while allowing the use of the factory type front and rear end seals. This is a very important step, that is often overlooked. More on that below.
Oil Modifications-
Every engine gets fully back-grooved cam bearings, a ported oil pump assembly, and all other high performance oil system modifications. Front main galleys are tapped and the correct plugs installed. All passages properly re-sized, within acceptable limits.
Rotating Assemblies-
All our street/strip performance motors use forged pistons. We offer a full line of rotating parts, to fit the needs of your particular build.
Timing Chains-
We use only the Roll Master 9 keyway timing set, in every performance engine. This insures perfect cam timing. All cams are degreed - in to exact specs. Cam card included with each engine.
Heads-
Whether new or rebuilt completely, these heads are second to none. All use a combination of modified full Teflon and Teflon/Rubber valve seals, for long guide life, and minimal oil consumption. Bronze guides, and all new valves, springs, retainers, and locks. All heads have fully polished and cc'ed chambers, and porting work, which varies depending on which level you chose. TA Performance Aluminum Stage 1 and 2 heads are available options on all motors, and standard equipment on some.
Precision Deck Height, Compression, and Intake Manifold Fitting.
A process that makes our engines more expensive, but it's the correct way to custom set the compression ratio, CC match the cylinder head chambers, set the deck height to zero. This insures precise cylinder to cylinder compression, and we machine the Intake sides of the heads for precise port alignment with .060 thick intake gaskets, and the front and rear rail of the block to fit the factory Intake Manifold end seal. We build precision motors here, and "close enough" is not in our vocabulary. Nothing is "guess at". We mock up the complete engine several times during this process, and it involves quite a bit of work.
CC'in a cylinder head.. As cast, even brand new heads are unequal, chamber to chamber, due to the casting.
The latest Equipment is used.
Instead of being locked into one shop's personnel and equipment, we employ several vendors, with state of the art machinery. This freedom to "shop around" and get the absolute best machining services done on your new custom built engine, or just a set of cylinder heads, is a big plus for our customers.
Precision assembly
Once again, we are not guessing.. even right down to how much effort it takes to "test spin" the camshaft, during the initial fitting and cam bearing installation phase of the build. Here is a pic of testing the force to spin the cam, with a tool we designed and built in the shop. This procedure is done to every motor.
Bolts-
All Performance engines come with a complete compliment of new chrome-moly fasteners. Main cap bolts are retained, unless studs or block girdle are specified.
All assembly specs are held to strict tolerances, gleaned from 20 years of building these motors. All volumes are equalized, to insure consistent cylinder to cylinder compression. Just like our more expensive race motors. Every engine is broken in and tuned on the dyno, and then heat cycled and infrared leak checked on TSP's custom built engine test stand. - Turn Key performance, reliability, and Drivability!
