Who are the best American Muscle engine tuners?

Callaway and Hennessey come to mind

 

Keith Craft Performance Engines

 

Pratt and Miller?

 

Are you talking vintage stuff or modern stuff?

For classic Ford stuff I would also say Keith Craft. I have had a lot of dealings with him and he is a stand up dude. He will build what you want from mild to wild and he stands behind it. If you are looking for a Ford Windsor or FE, he is the man.

 

Ford? Chevy? Dodge?

 

Katech is very good w several LeMans victories for their engines in the Corvette C5R & C6R

 

Saleen?

 

Nelson Racing Engines - Extreme Horsepower Twin Turbo Engines, Supercharged Engines, LSX Engines

SAR-802 HEMISPHERICAL HEADED PUMP GAS ENGINE (1350 HP) - Sonny's Racing Engines

 

You already mentioned Roush. I've heard nothing but great things about them. A guy I used to do some business with DDed one of their Mustangs. When he wasn't upgrading it he was trading it in for a new one. His Mustangs were scary fast and I think even warrantied.

 

For Ford guys, add Jon Kaase to the list. He's won a few Engine Masters comps.

 

Most won't recognize the name "George Bignotti". I'm aware of George, because I attended school with his son.

Let's just say with the "Special Parts" George acquired from racing, "George Jr's" Mustang took ALLOT of peoples lunch money.


I don’t consider it a stretch to say that without George Bignotti, AJ Foyt and Al Unser would not be four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500. Altogether, George Bignotti was the Chief Mechanic on a record seven Indianapolis 500 winning cars; AJ Foyt (1961 & 1964), Graham Hill (1966). Al Unser (1970 & 1971), Gordon Johncock (1973) and Tom Sneva (1983).

A Fan Remembers George Bignotti | Oilpressure

 

Butler Performance, Steve Morris, Sonny Leonard, Ron Potter, Dustin Whipple to name a few.

NRE seems to be making good engines, but word is that the service is atrocious.

Big name tuning companies. Roush, Pratt & Miller, Lingenfelter and Heffner comes to mind.

 

Don't forget CALLAWAY & RENNTECH

 

John Kaase of Kaase Racing Engines.

Jerry Bischoff of BES Racing Engines.

These two gentlemen have won the most 1st places at the Engine Masters Challenge.

 

this guy should not be left off the list-if you don't know what he builds it is worth a little research : )

Drag Racing Engines - Truck Pull Engines - Sonny's Racing Engines

 

In the Midwest a popular tuner & builder is West Bend Dyno here in WI.

West Bend Dyno Tuning Wisconsin

 

This is a timely thread for me. I have a 1995 Trans Am I have owned since new, and will never sell. One of my first projects when I get my garage up and running will be a mini-restoration on it (new paint, some interior work, suspension, engine). I want to keep the original LT1 engine in the car vs. swapping to a slightly newer (and I think more tuneable) LS1 or whatever. I don't want anything crazy, but 400 or so streetable, reliable horespower, preferably without forced induction, would be perfect I think.

Who would be a high-quality guy I could ship the original engine to, and have it come back nice, shiny, and more powerful?!?

 

Nathan your timing is perfect. I'm in the process of overhauling my suspension as we speak and a new adjustable torque arm will arrive mid next week. For your engine, check out TPiS Specialties in Chaska, MN TPiS, Inc. These guys are fantastic with old school LT1 & L98s. I got my AFR heads for my 93 T/A from them and extremely pleased. With my cam & supporting mods my 350cu LT1 is well over 400hp naturally aspirated. The 95 LT's are very tunable so no worries. I have a 383 LT1 shortblock that will make its way into the car soon and its output will be over 500... still N/A.

For suspension go though UMI Performance, BMR or Strano Performance. Steve Strano has won many SCCA championships

BMR Suspension - High Performance Suspension & Chassis
UMI Performance Inc.
Strano Performance Parts - Parts Catalog

 

For LS V8s - Katech, Lingenfelter, LMR, LG Motorsports, to name just a few.