Has anyone Had Steve Johnson in Alpine CA Build them a mortor?

SaltySeaRabbit · 11-19-2015, 01:47 PM

I was talking to this guy on the phone about building an engine for me - has anyone had any experience with him? I get the impression that most of the engines that he is building are going into sand buggies. But he says a lot are going into Daily drivers as well. He says he builds MANY MANY subaru motors a year.

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user1029 · 11-19-2015, 04:55 PM

Steven who? Never heard of him

some dude · 11-20-2015, 12:31 AM

Post this in the Cali section and you might get more responses.

Paul · 11-20-2015, 04:12 PM

what is the shop called?

SaltySeaRabbit · 11-22-2015, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

what is the shop called?

I think its "S and S"

His website is: SUBARUPERFORMANCEENGINES.COM

user1029 · 11-22-2015, 11:21 AM

:crickets:

I would try Outfront Motorsports on the West Coast

ALOKIN · 11-22-2015, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user1029

:crickets:

I would try Outfront Motorsports on the West Coast

Suprised no ones mentioned graveyard...

Paul · 11-22-2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltySeaRabbit

I think its "S and S"

His website is: SUBARUPERFORMANCEENGINES.COM

Thought it was him. I lived in SD for alittle and know at least one person that had a build done by them with good success....sorry but I can't remember his handle on here.

CatfaceType-R · 11-22-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user1029

Steven who? Never heard of her

fiksd

user1029 · 11-22-2015, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALOKIN

Suprised no ones mentioned graveyard...

I fear the OP might actually go to them

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatfaceType-R

fiksd

You won this round.

feint05 · 01-13-2016, 02:16 PM

hey, I live local so I dropped my motor off.

I had a 98 forester that popped a head gasket, took my motor to steve and he put it together for less than I may have paid in parts.

I had just bought the forester after another mechanic had put head gaskets in, not sure if he did a **** job of what but the first set lasted 30k miles

So i dropped my motor off with steve and we talked about him taking on my project, i picked up the motor a week later and popped it in.

He said he was going to replace my rear main seal, he didnt and it leaked like a bitch, as you know this was really my only opportunity to get it done.

30k miles later the engine developed a pinhole leak that would cause a hard start up, I called steve and he told me to put some bars leak in it!!!!!

I sold that POS and never looked back, I'm not sure if I had a lemon or what, but I wouldn't use steve again.

I talked to another guy who had some catastrophic engine failures on his S&S motors (2) as steve at least fixed the first one that poured all the oil out the front of the motor. I take it as hearsay but..... i wouldn't recommend him at this point

user1029 · 01-13-2016, 05:06 PM

Outfront Motorsports >>>> Steven.

STiSomeday · 01-13-2016, 05:25 PM

Well if he's building mortors and not motors, there's the first problem. But yeah, stick to the reputable shops

user1029 · 01-13-2016, 06:41 PM

youcheekybastardfamilyguy.jpg

ALOKIN · 01-13-2016, 07:39 PM

Pffft. Graveyard is were its at bro

SR 25 RS · 01-14-2016, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by some dude

Post this in the Cali section and you might get more responses.

That's what I heard once from Some Dude

Ride_Red_199 · 04-17-2019, 04:30 PM

I know I’m a little late to respond but if you ever see, his engines are extremely good. We have had one in our buggy since 2005 with almost no problems. The only problem we have has is a turbo blow up because of a bad air filter. Not his fault though.

matthewjohnson775 · 05-15-2023, 02:22 PM

Just wanted to see if there are any other opinions on S&S performance. I had an engine built by him and just suffered a catastrophic failure after 11k miles. He offered to help me out and rebuild it at a reduced cost. Not sure if it’s a “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me” scenario, or if my scenario was just a fluke.

Thanks!

K3rm1tth3fr0g · 05-15-2023, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewjohnson775

Just wanted to see if there are any other opinions on S&S performance. I had an engine built by him and just suffered a catastrophic failure after 11k miles. He offered to help me out and rebuild it at a reduced cost. Not sure if it’s a “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me” scenario, or if my scenario was just a fluke.

Thanks!

How reduced of a rate?

rtv900 · 05-15-2023, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewjohnson775

Just wanted to see if there are any other opinions on S&S performance. I had an engine built by him and just suffered a catastrophic failure after 11k miles. He offered to help me out and rebuild it at a reduced cost. Not sure if it’s a “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me” scenario, or if my scenario was just a fluke.

Thanks!

was it his fault or yours?

matthewjohnson775 · 05-15-2023, 03:24 PM

He said he would halve his labor cost and give me a deal on parts.

I don’t believe the failure was caused by me. Never overheated, followed break in procedure, oil changed on time every time, etc. It was either a part failure or defect, or an issue with the build. But I haven’t dug into it yet.

matthewjohnson775 · 05-15-2023, 03:40 PM

Failure happened suddenly and dumped over a gallon of coolant into the oil pan (which did not emulsify with the oil). I lost oil pressure and immediately shut it down. Was cruising at 3500 RPM and 180* water temp. Temp spiked to 195* when I shut it down. Oil pan was filled with ferrous and non ferrous metal flakes.

16sti4me · 07-07-2023, 10:08 PM

Any updates on this?

11-19-2015, 01:47 PM	#1
SaltySeaRabbit Scooby Newbie Member#: 434433 Join Date: Nov 2015 Vehicle: 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero	Has anyone Had Steve Johnson in Alpine CA Build them a mortor? I was talking to this guy on the phone about building an engine for me - has anyone had any experience with him? I get the impression that most of the engines that he is building are going into sand buggies. But he says a lot are going into Daily drivers as well. He says he builds MANY MANY subaru motors a year. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-19-2015, 04:55 PM	#2
user1029 Scooby Specialist Member#: 57064 Join Date: Mar 2004 Vehicle: 2008 STi IAG built HTA86 E85 Kel272s Cos IM	Steven who? Never heard of him

11-20-2015, 12:31 AM	#3
some dude Scooby Specialist Member#: 100300 Join Date: Nov 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: MIC\|-\|IG/\N Vehicle: 06 WRX CGM	Post this in the Cali section and you might get more responses.

11-20-2015, 04:12 PM	#4
Paul Scooby Guru Member#: 56203 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: south nj Vehicle: 00 RSTI Coupe Twin Scroll 2.5XTR EJ207	what is the shop called?

11-22-2015, 11:21 AM	#6
user1029 Scooby Specialist Member#: 57064 Join Date: Mar 2004 Vehicle: 2008 STi IAG built HTA86 E85 Kel272s Cos IM	:crickets: I would try Outfront Motorsports on the West Coast

01-13-2016, 02:16 PM	#11
feint05 Scooby Specialist Member#: 152984 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: san diego Vehicle: 2004 jewbaru jewbuilt, polish tuned	hey, I live local so I dropped my motor off. I had a 98 forester that popped a head gasket, took my motor to steve and he put it together for less than I may have paid in parts. I had just bought the forester after another mechanic had put head gaskets in, not sure if he did a **** job of what but the first set lasted 30k miles So i dropped my motor off with steve and we talked about him taking on my project, i picked up the motor a week later and popped it in. He said he was going to replace my rear main seal, he didnt and it leaked like a bitch, as you know this was really my only opportunity to get it done. 30k miles later the engine developed a pinhole leak that would cause a hard start up, I called steve and he told me to put some bars leak in it!!!!! I sold that POS and never looked back, I'm not sure if I had a lemon or what, but I wouldn't use steve again. I talked to another guy who had some catastrophic engine failures on his S&S motors (2) as steve at least fixed the first one that poured all the oil out the front of the motor. I take it as hearsay but..... i wouldn't recommend him at this point

01-13-2016, 05:06 PM	#12
user1029 Scooby Specialist Member#: 57064 Join Date: Mar 2004 Vehicle: 2008 STi IAG built HTA86 E85 Kel272s Cos IM	Outfront Motorsports >>>> Steven.

01-13-2016, 05:25 PM	#13
STiSomeday Scooby Specialist Member#: 265430 Join Date: Nov 2010 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Cleveland Vehicle: 2005 OBP WRX STi IG/FB - seriousblacksti	Well if he's building mortors and not motors, there's the first problem. But yeah, stick to the reputable shops

01-13-2016, 06:41 PM	#14
user1029 Scooby Specialist Member#: 57064 Join Date: Mar 2004 Vehicle: 2008 STi IAG built HTA86 E85 Kel272s Cos IM	youcheekybastardfamilyguy.jpg

01-13-2016, 07:39 PM	#15
ALOKIN Scooby Specialist Member#: 348177 Join Date: Feb 2013 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: TX Vehicle: 2002 Bugeye Haltech GTX3584RS	Pffft. Graveyard is were its at bro

04-17-2019, 04:30 PM	#17
Ride_Red_199 Scooby Newbie Member#: 500503 Join Date: Apr 2019	I know I’m a little late to respond but if you ever see, his engines are extremely good. We have had one in our buggy since 2005 with almost no problems. The only problem we have has is a turbo blow up because of a bad air filter. Not his fault though.

05-15-2023, 02:22 PM	#18
matthewjohnson775 Scooby Newbie Member#: 534280 Join Date: May 2023	Just wanted to see if there are any other opinions on S&S performance. I had an engine built by him and just suffered a catastrophic failure after 11k miles. He offered to help me out and rebuild it at a reduced cost. Not sure if it’s a “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me” scenario, or if my scenario was just a fluke. Thanks!

05-15-2023, 03:24 PM	#21
matthewjohnson775 Scooby Newbie Member#: 534280 Join Date: May 2023	He said he would halve his labor cost and give me a deal on parts. I don’t believe the failure was caused by me. Never overheated, followed break in procedure, oil changed on time every time, etc. It was either a part failure or defect, or an issue with the build. But I haven’t dug into it yet.

05-15-2023, 03:40 PM	#22
matthewjohnson775 Scooby Newbie Member#: 534280 Join Date: May 2023	Failure happened suddenly and dumped over a gallon of coolant into the oil pan (which did not emulsify with the oil). I lost oil pressure and immediately shut it down. Was cruising at 3500 RPM and 180* water temp. Temp spiked to 195* when I shut it down. Oil pan was filled with ferrous and non ferrous metal flakes.

07-07-2023, 10:08 PM	#23
16sti4me Scooby Newbie Member#: 510810 Join Date: Jan 2020	Any updates on this?