If we built your engine on exchange (sent you the new motor first and charged you a core deposit), you'll receive the new engine in either a cardboard box or wooden crate (depending on your location). Unpack the new engine and swap all the necessary parts over from your old one. Package the core up just like you recieved the new one. Once it is boxed and ready to go, give us a call or send us an email requesting a core return. We will email you the necessary paperwork to print out and schedule a pick up (freight returns only). Please print: one (1) copy of the shipping label and attach it to the box or engine and two (2) copies of the Bill of Lading; one is for the driver and the other is for you and your records as this will have the tracking number on it.

For UPS returns: Please print one (1) copy of the prepaid label and you can either call your local UPS store and request a pick up, or simply take it to the nearest distribution center and drop it off.

Custom Build means that we need to rebuild your core; which will require you to send us your engine first. This process is very similar to returning a core. Make sure ALL FLUIDS ARE DRAINED and everything that needs to be taken off is taken off, we have instructional videos that explain what to take off and how to prep your engine for shipping. If you can't get something off or forget something, we will do our best to make sure it is removed, cleaned and returned; however, Sunwest is not responsible for any loss or damage of extra parts. Valve covers and oil pans are the exception: if you would like us to clean these parts for you, you may leave them on the engine. We will make sure they are cleaned to our standards and return them to you with the engine. Sunwest DOES NOT REINSTALL things like valve covers, oil pans, intake or exhaust manifolds.

Our lead time depends on multiple variables, though on average, the build time is about 14 business days (roughly 2 and a half weeks) from when the core arrives at our facility. This time may decrease if we have the engine in stock OR it may increase due to parts availablity (especially specialty or performance parts), transit time delays caused by severe weather or other natural disasters or even equipment malfunction. It is because of this that we ask for your patience and often suggest that you allow for some extra time in your scheduling.

If the engine core is damaged on it's way here, we inspect each shipment for damage and usually catch most, if not all, significant damage and inform the driver of the damage, followed by filing a damage claim with the freight carrier. However, freight damage or loss usually occurs when the new motor is being sent to the customer. It is imperative that whoever is receiving the engine does a thorough inspection upon arrival. If the crate or box is undamaged and in tact, it may be signed for as undamaged. If the crate or box looks even slightly damaged or tampered with, note any and all damage and accept it. If the box or crate is missing and the engine looks like it may have suffered severe damage, you may refuse the shipment and have it returned to sender. Sunwest will handle the filing and processing of all freight claims. Sunwest will not be responsible for covering or replacing a damaged shipment that was accepted as undamaged. 

Please read through the warranty explanation for the full extent of Sunwest's warranty. A copy of it may be found by Clicking Here. 

Should you have an issue with your engine or cylinder head, don't worry, Sunwest is proud to offer a 30 month / 30,000 mile warranty on most of our remanufactured long blocks (see warranty explanation for details).

Simply, click on the 'Warranty Info' tab at the top of this page and fill out the form with the appropriate information. Read through the warranty explanation and agree to the terms and conditions and click submit.

A member of the Sunwest Team will review your claim and get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 48 - 72 hours. It is imperative that you do not attempt or authorize someone to attempt to repair the problem with out first getting prior authorization. Doing so will result in loss of warranty coverage and could potentially cause further engine damage.

If the vehicle starts acting/driving funny like misfiring, stalling out; avoid driving the car at all and give us a call.

Yes and no. If we can't find parts at a competitive price, we may ask that you source some or all of your parts. With some engines, we can also do a 'Ready to Assemble' Package (or RTA) which means we do all the machine work and heavy lifting and either we can order parts or you can supply parts, but you do the assembly. Sunwest does not assemble other people's parts or machine work. This is because 1) too much of a liability not knowing whether or not something was done correctly and we're 'the last ones to touch it' and 2) supplying your own parts to a machine shop is similar to walking in to a diner and asking them to cook the food you brought from home.... a good portion of their income comes from the food itself, not just cooking the food. Likewise, a good portion of our income comes from the parts that we sell and use to build our engines.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Flat Rate Round Trip shipping is our universal method of shipping via LTL Freight and UPS Small Package. It is based on 3 different zones: Northwest, West/Southwest/Central and East/Northeast each with their own price point for cylinder heads, short blocks, 4-cylinder long blocks and V6/V8 long blocks. Upon check out, you must select your zone from the drop down list and freight will be added to the total. FREIGHT IS NOT INCLUDED IN ENGINE PRICE.

Round trip shipping is just like a round trip airline ticket, it covers the trip both ways so there is no need to pay a second freight charge when the core is ready to be returned. Simply give us a call or send us an email requesting a core return label and we will email it over as soon as possible.

Even though your engine may seem to need only a few minor repairs, chances are one or more of the other parts are on their way out as well. This is why we are an 'all-or-nothing' type of business. If you are going to take the time and spend the money to have your engine repaired by us, then we are going to do it the right way the first time. All of our engine rebuilds go through the same process regardless of condition. This not only ensures that you, as the customer, end up with a quality product that will last; but also helps us maintain consistent results in our finished product. If all you want is a re-ring or bearing replacement, don't worry, if you bring it to us disassembled, we'll be happy to clean it up do the machine work for for you, but you have to do the assembly.

We ask that your core be sent back to us within 30 days to receive full credit on your core return. After 30 days, we deduct $100 from your refund and after 60 days, no refund will be given. Special arrangements can be made to extend the 30 days (not past 60 days) only if you contact us prior to the end of your first 30 days.