Any input on JDM Engineering and/or L&M for engine builder near PA

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PM-Performance

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Just looking for insight from people that have dealt with either for engine builds.
I know alot of guys that used L&M, but wanted to get input to see how opinions were on JDM as well since I am getting a proposal as well from them and if anyone was in the same situation who did you choose and why?

I am starting to gather parts already and quite a bit out yet, but I like to make sure I know who I am doing business with and like to avoid potential clashes or issues along the way. Especially since this is a sizable amount of money.

Any valuable input you guys can provide, I appreciate it.
 

SCGallo2

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I have been fortunate to not require an engine build, but if I did JDM Engineering would do the work for these reasons:

- Jim Sr. tunes my car, original engine with 50k+ miles and still running strong.
- They utilize race proven components and combinations. They know the weak links in 5.4/5.8L engines and address them in their engine builds.
- 1 year no detonation warranty.
- Jim Sr. guided me on a tour of their shop, and I was impressed by their meticulous attention to detail with customer cars, both street and race applications.
- They are good people who stand behind their work, and I trust them with my car and hard-earned money.
- They are within reasonable driving distance from Southern MD.
 

IronTerp

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I would consider Johnny Lightning Performance, just south of Lancaster. He has been my tuner for 16 years and been to his shop dozens of times. Meticulous, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.
 

PM-Performance

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I would consider Johnny Lightning Performance, just south of Lancaster. He has been my tuner for 16 years and been to his shop dozens of times. Meticulous, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.
He is actually the closest. Not sure I trust them though. My friend had some issues with him.
His main tech also lowballed the shit out of my to buy my car and fix it when this first happened and left a bad taste in my mouth
 

GNBRETT

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I would send it to either Fast Forward racing or Tim at MPR. Being who's closest should be last on ur list. Shipping a motor on a crate is simple. Use to do it weekly a few years ago with my cousin who would drive to Detroit to get motors.

There is a reason the fastest cars in the country have their motors built by either of these shops and its not luck.

Fast Forward Race Engines
MPR Racing Engines
 

PM-Performance

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I would send it to either Fast Forward racing or Tim at MPR. Being who's closest should be last on ur list. Shipping a motor on a crate is simple. Use to do it weekly a few years ago with my cousin who would drive to Detroit to get motors.

There is a reason the fastest cars in the country have their motors built by either of these shops and its not luck.

Fast Forward Race Engines
MPR Racing Engines

Your comment makes it seem like L&M or JDM are not top of the game. Lol.
I never heard of the other places to be honest. No sense in me shipping when I have 2 major players within an hour of me was my point
 

Dusten

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I would consider Johnny Lightning Performance, just south of Lancaster. He has been my tuner for 16 years and been to his shop dozens of times. Meticulous, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.

And also well known as a piece of shit human.

Jdm doesn't build their own engines. They use
Disomma Racing Engines | Drag Racing Engine Builders
A good friend of mine just had his built there. Basically cut out the middle man.
 

crazy4life

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I have known Mike Rausher at L & M engines for years. Top notch engine builder and cam designer. Also had my car tuned by Jim SR at JDM. I would go with Mike any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Mike has a full machine shop and just builds engines 24/7. Dont build cars or rears or front ends. The man truly has oil in his veins.
 

PM-Performance

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And also well known as a piece of shit human.

Jdm doesn't build their own engines. They use
Disomma Racing Engines | Drag Racing Engine Builders
A good friend of mine just had his built there. Basically cut out the middle man.

Really? I asked them if they build and machine in shop. He confirmed they build in shop and "most " of the machine work. He said sometimes they need to dole out some of the machine work.
Knowing this kind of solidifies my decision then. Thank you for this valuable info!

I have known Mike Rausher at L & M engines for years. Top notch engine builder and cam designer. Also had my car tuned by Jim SR at JDM. I would go with Mike any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Mike has a full machine shop and just builds engines 24/7. Dont build cars or rears or front ends. The man truly has oil in his veins.

Thank you for the valuable info. He was who I planned to use from the get go, but i did not want to rule anyone else out that was also a major player close by. Thinking about the sole business of building engines and nothing else really makes a difference, So thanks for reminding me
 

IronTerp

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And also well known as a piece of shit human.
Johnny is a staunch Christian Conservative that is not shy to share his views. No question. But, I am local and have spent a ton of time with him and have never seen a side of him that would indicate that he's a POS. But, I don't want to derail this thread with this.

Really? I asked them if they build and machine in shop. He confirmed they build in shop and "most " of the machine work. He said sometimes they need to dole out some of the machine work.
Knowing this kind of solidifies my decision then. Thank you for this valuable info!
In my talks with him, he has a machinist that he has worked with for 20 years or so that does some of the machine work, and then his shop does all of the assembly. Being a Lightning guy initially, be has huge experience with the 5.4's. I was in the shop one time and he at least 20 5.4 crate motors sitting there ready to be built/installed.

Just a piece of information. No more, no less.
 

RBB

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I have been fortunate to not require an engine build, but if I did JDM Engineering would do the work for these reasons:

- Jim Sr. tunes my car, original engine with 50k+ miles and still running strong.
- They utilize race proven components and combinations. They know the weak links in 5.4/5.8L engines and address them in their engine builds.
- 1 year no detonation warranty.
- Jim Sr. guided me on a tour of their shop, and I was impressed by their meticulous attention to detail with customer cars, both street and race applications.
- They are good people who stand behind their work, and I trust them with my car and hard-earned money.
- They are within reasonable driving distance from Southern MD.
JDM did my engine and I'd have them do another one for me for all the reasons SCGallo listed above. Great guys to deal with, meticulous attention to detail and they stand behind their work with a warranty. They build these engines for their race program and have more real world experience than just about anyone else.
 

Dusten

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Johnny is a staunch Christian Conservative that is not shy to share his views. No question. But, I am local and have spent a ton of time with him and have never seen a side of him that would indicate that he's a POS. But, I don't want to derail this thread with this.


In my talks with him, he has a machinist that he has worked with for 20 years or so that does some of the machine work, and then his shop does all of the assembly. Being a Lightning guy initially, be has huge experience with the 5.4's. I was in the shop one time and he at least 20 5.4 crate motors sitting there ready to be built/installed.

Just a piece of information. No more, no less.

I'm not discussing his views. Im discussing his product and treatment of customers. that's why I brought it up here.
 

PM-Performance

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I'm not discussing his views. Im discussing his product and treatment of customers. that's why I brought it up here.

So I had a friend with a lightning have issues with him as well. My friend is a very A type personality as am I. So there must be something that triggered between him and Johnny. It is enough and I have heard enough little things that keep me from doing business with him.
Not only the fact that his main tech offered to buy my car from me for like $17k and said he can fix it for like $2k. Lol.
I had some choice words for his response.


I am still waiting on a quote from JdM and a build proposal to compare to L&M just for comparative sake. I always like to hear others opinion though before going balls in and regretting it due to some small piece of info I did not know.
 

Dusten

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if you can get away from a local shop, QMP is another shop to consider.
 

Blackedout

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I dealt with Mike at L&M because they were close enough to drop off and pick up my motor/heads.... Definitely knows what he’s doing with modmotors... answered any questions I had and explained everything they did... And it was done when he said it would be... I would use them again !!
 

PM-Performance

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I dealt with Mike at L&M because they were close enough to drop off and pick up my motor/heads.... Definitely knows what he’s doing with modmotors... answered any questions I had and explained everything they did... And it was done when he said it would be... I would use them again !!

that is great to hear as well. I am a stickler for time tables set up front.
Thanks for the feedback.
 

RBB

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Really? I asked them if they build and machine in shop. He confirmed they build in shop and "most " of the machine work. He said sometimes they need to dole out some of the machine work.
Knowing this kind of solidifies my decision then. Thank you for this valuable info!



Thank you for the valuable info. He was who I planned to use from the get go, but i did not want to rule anyone else out that was also a major player close by. Thinking about the sole business of building engines and nothing else really makes a difference, So thanks for reminding me
That's bogus info. JDM doesn't have a full machine shop, so that's correct, they do farm out some of the machine work to a local shop. As far as assembly goes, though, it's all in house. I took my heads up there and got a tour of the shop....for anyone doubting whether or not they assemble in house I'd be happy to send you pics of my motor in the assembly room.
 

biminiLX

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My JDM 5.8 has taken a beating now with 1110rwhp and last used oil analysis was perfect as new right after that Dyno.
I wouldn’t hesitate to have them build another.
There’s also Keith Rhea at Wonder Racing currently building a friends 5.8 near Pittsburgh.
-J
 
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