The difference between a parts assembler and a true engine builder is the machine work. Craig Gerfen does his own — balancing, decking, honing, block work, rod work, and cylinder head machining all happen in-house at Race Engine Systems. Nothing gets farmed out.
Complete In-House Capability
Most engine shops send machine work to a third party. That means waiting on someone else's schedule, trusting someone else's tolerances, and losing the ability to control quality from start to finish. RES doesn't operate that way.
Craig learned complete engine machining — balancing, decking, honing, block and rod work — before founding the shop, specifically so he would never have to rely on an outside machinist. When you bring a build to RES, one person is accountable for every clearance, every cut, and every finished surface.
Precision and Verification
Every clearance is measured and recorded. Components undergo a complete inspection process including magnaflux. Proprietary honing processes are verified with a profilometer bore inspection machine to ensure optimum ring seal — the kind of verification that separates a precision race engine from a parts-store rebuild.
Cylinder head machining is handled to the same standard, with every head flow bench tested after the work is complete.
Machine Work for Your Project or Standalone
RES machine shop services are available as part of a complete engine build or as standalone work on components you supply. Block work, cylinder head machining, balancing, and assembly prep can all be performed to your specification.
If you're sourcing machine work for a race engine combination, the advantage of RES is the same as everything else here: you're working directly with a machinist who builds and races these engines — not a shop running parts through a line.