505 Performance

I ordered one of the 505 stroker engines (complete intake to oil pan) from these guys, the only thing I they said I needed was the intake plenum from the original engine. It was on 6 weeks back order, no problem I was not in a hurry. The engine finally arrived close to 3 months later. After going through the trouble to do the engine swap and begin the break-in process I discovered the wrong bearings had been installed. Apparently their installers do not check bearing clearance when building an engine. After quite a few iterations of testing with different weight motor oils, Zach concluded it must be incorrect bearings and sent me the info for return shipping on the engine, telling me he would replace it under warranty. Zach claimed they do a drill test to verify oil pressure, but do not run the engine up to operating temperature. Seems odd that a performance engine shop does not really test their engines before shipping them out.

He did as he said, but the new engine (which was supposed to be the same as the first) did not come as complete as the first one. Dipstick, coil pack, and harmonic dampener were among a list of about 7 or 8 missing items, as well as a bad oil pressure sensor. 505 did send a coil pack, but the rest I was left to source myself, even though I contacted them regarding the missing items. Once the engine was installed and broken-in it was only 3k miles until the valve dropped and destroyed the piston and damaged the cylinder wall and head.

After Zach agreed to take the engine in return, I was unable to contact 505 further. No shipping info ever showed up, and all attempts at contacting him have been fruitless.

Both engines had serious problems with the oil galley plugs leaking, and the second engine had to have the rear main seal replaced at 500 miles.


I am now left with the option of buying a new engine from someone reputable, or replacing the Jeep, all at my cost in addition to the over $5,000 for the pile of junk motor sitting in my garage.

Our house boat was severely damaged and interior ransacked while in Zachs care. Zach Steele took our boat from our marina to his place of business for repairs. Weeks of unanswered calls and a 4 hour drive to his shop to speak to someone personally, we finally got our boat today. The rails around the boat were bent and broken, torn from the deck. Inside our boat was ransacked all electronics were ripped out from the walls. Two TVs, DVD, coffee maker, power tools, clothing and even my ficking shower head and hose. We work very hard for our things and it was very clear from the beginning Zach has no respect for our belongings and things entrusted to his care and responsibility. We don't know whether it was him who did this but we are filing both criminal and civil complaints and hope this won't happen to anyone else

I initiated a transaction with Zach Steele @ 505 Performance on October 15, 2013. The purchase originally was to be an engine build only. Upon speaking with him further he said he had another item that had been on his shelf for over a year and he wasn't going to use it. He also shared that he walked out onto the shop floor that morning and told his employees he was going to sell that item (whipple supercharger). I decided I would purchase that from Zach and stated to him that I would be doing this in 2 stages. (1st stage engine, 2nd stage supercharger) He quoted me a price on the brackets he would need to fabricate to adapt the supercharger of $350. I agreed, we proceeded with a transaction for $1,500. He sent me an email with in 24 hours regarding that transaction. As part of the transaction I requested more information on the details of the build to be sent and he agreed. Upon checking my email Zach Steele adjusted the price of the bracket to $400 and included the price of the Supercharger with the Engine.



I gave 505 Performance several phone calls over the passed 3 weeks. Zach Steele had to have used the F-word at least 5-6x in the 2minutes he ranted. He then expressed to me that my job was not a priority and that he was working on several other vehicles for a race coming up and that he would get to my job in his own time. Called me other names & used profanity at me. To conclude the conversation he put the phone on the desk when he was done raising his voice and let it be. I hung up shortly there after finding no reason to hold longer.





desired: I question this persons business quality and services. I would like money back to not have to further deal with Zach Steele and his attitude and poor business practice.