Chris Owens

Why Machine Shops Don’t Give Exact Rebuild Prices Online

One of the most common questions we get is: “Why can’t you just tell me what it costs to rebuild my engine?” It’s a fair question. And we understand why people ask it.

Heat Changes Everything — And Most Builders Ignore It

Heat Changes Everything — And Most Builders Ignore ItMost engines are measured cold. They are assembled cold. They are torqued cold. They are checked cold. But they do not operate cold. An engine that measures

The Most Expensive Words in Engine Building: “It Should Be Fine.”

There are five words that quietly destroy more engines than bad parts ever will: “It should be fine.” Those words are rarely spoken with bad intent. They’re usually said when: A clearance is close. A

The Oil Film Is the Only Thing Saving Your Engine

When people think about what keeps an engine alive, they usually say: “Good parts.” “Good tune.” “Good oil.” All of those matter. But none of them are what’s actually keeping the crankshaft from welding itself

Boost Doesn’t Break Engines — Bad Math Does

There’s a sentence we hear all the time: “Boost blew my engine.” No. Boost didn’t blow your engine. Bad math did. Boost is simply compressed air. It increases cylinder pressure. It increases heat. It increases

“Within Spec” Is Not a Strategy

There’s a phrase we hear a lot in engine building: “It’s within spec.” On paper, that sounds responsible. It sounds precise. It sounds safe. But in a performance engine, “within spec” is not

When the Numbers Say “No”:

Why We Reordered Main Bearings on a 548 BBC Build Big engines don’t forgive mistakes. And boosted engines forgive even less. During a recent 548 Big Block Chevy supercharged build, Chris made a

Torque Procedures: Why “Tight” Isn’t Good Enough

One of the most common misconceptions in engine building is that torque is simply about tightening fasteners to a number. In reality, torque is about controlling clamping force — and how

Bolts VS. Studs –

Why We Chose ARP Studs for the 6.2 LS Community Build When people follow an engine build online, they usually notice the big things — blocks, cranks, pistons, cylinder heads. What often

Why the Build Sheet Matters More Than Horsepower Numbers

When people talk about engine builds, the conversation usually centers around horsepower numbers, parts lists, and brand names. What rarely gets discussed — but matters just as much — is documentation. Not

Engine Failure Cause Checklist: What to Check Before Blaming the Parts

When an engine fails, the first instinct is almost always the same:“It had to be a bad part.” In reality, most engine failures don’t come from defective components. They come from

The One Measurement That Ends More Engine Builds Than Bad Parts

Most engine failures don’t start with bad parts.They start with bad measurements. We see engines come apart that were built with quality components, reputable brands, and solid intentions — yet they

Rotating Assembly Choices

6.2 LS Community Build Once the block choice is made, the next conversation always turns to the rotating assembly. And this is where a lot of builds either get stronger —

Why We Chose an Iron Block for the 6.2 LS Community Build

Anytime someone hears “6.2 LS,” the first question is usually, “Is it aluminum?” And yeah — aluminum blocks have their place. But for this build, that wasn’t the right choice. For the

Why We’re Starting With a Strong Short Block

6.2 LS Community Build Everybody wants to talk about cams, heads, and horsepower numbers. We get it — that stuff is fun. But none of it means a thing if the

🔥 Why Your Engine’s Cylinders Matter More Than You Think

When it comes to building a high-performance engine, everyone loves to talk about horsepower, torque, and camshaft specs. But underneath all that raw power is the real unsung hero: the

Smart Shopping: What to Ask Before Buying Engine Parts

At Owens Racing Engines, we’ve seen it all—fresh builds, full teardowns, and way too many parts that looked good online but weren’t even close to usable in real life. Whether

🧰 How to Extract Broken Bolts: A Complete Guide for Every Situation.

Breaking a bolt mid-project can feel like hitting a wall at full speed. One moment you’re cruising through your repair or build, and the next—you’re staring at a stubborn, snapped

🔥 5 Myths About Building a High-Performance Engine That Are Blowing Up Your Budget (and Your Motor) 🔥

There’s a lot of information out there about building engines—and not all of it holds up in the real world. At Owens Racing Engines, we’ve seen firsthand how certain myths