WHAT IS A QUALIFIED CORE?
A qualified core must rotate freely 360 degrees. It must also be free from any cracks or holes in the block and free from excessive preload (the block cannot be spun). Your core must include all parts that we send with our engines. If you do not know what parts you will be receiving, please contact your sales representative and he/she can give you a detailed description of what you will need to send. When sending your core in, ensure that the core returned is a like-for-like year, make, and model. Please be advised that we cannot accept cores from salvage or junk yards, or those that have been in a fire. Cores received must be complete and undamaged. Cores that have missing components or have been disassembled may not be eligible for a refund. Choate manages to keep our core charges for engines low by implementing an all-or-nothing core refund policy. If your core is found to be unusable due to a damaged block, it will not qualify for a core refund, because the cost of attempting to repair or replace the block exceeds the amount of the core charge itself.
CORE RETURN TIMELINE
Thank you for choosing Choate Engineering Performance. As a valued customer, we kindly ask that you have the engine core crated and ready for pickup within 30 days of receiving your new CHOATE engine, per the BOL, to ensure you receive full credit for your core. Please note that core returns that are received after 45 days will be issued CHOATE Store Credit ONLY, which will expire 1 Year from the date of issue.
If you have any questions regarding your core return timeline, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service representatives. They will be more than happy to assist you with any concerns you may have.
- Usable core sent within 30 days – 100% Core Refund
- Usable core sent after 45 days – Store Credit Only
- Unusable core sent – No Core Refund
CORE FEES
Payment for your core fees are outlined in your sales quotation. Unless you have made other arrangements, the full quoted amount of the core charge should be paid upfront. All short blocks and long blocks come with a $2,000 core fee, while all full running engines come with a $3,500 core fee.
If you decide to send your core before you receive your engine, you’ll notice the full core amount will be reflected on your quote. However, once your core has been inspected, and passes our qualifications, it will be issued as a credit against your balance.
Please note that if your engine is finished in production before your core is finished being qualified, we require the balance on your order be paid and your engine be shipped to you. Once your core qualification has been completed, your core refund will be processed and refunded via a check sent to you through the US mail service. If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to call us at 901-553-9847 and speak with one of our customer service representatives, and they will be happy to assist you further.
SENDING YOUR CORE TO CHOATE
When you’re ready to send in your core, it’s important to make sure all fluids have been drained, the core has been shrink-wrapped, and it’s securely strapped to the pallet and crate provided. Securely strapped means with 1,000 lbs strength ratchet straps. Do NOT use box ties or zip ties. Additionally, you are required to submit images of your core to a customer service representative before a shipping BOL can be provided to you. Please make sure to include the laminated pallet ID card that was stapled to the pallet when you received your engine. This will help us process your core return in a timely and efficient manner. Please note that CHOATE will not be responsible for any additional parts that are included on your core return but were not required. Once the teardown process and inspection has begun, there is no return of the core or the components to the customer. NO EXCEPTIONS.
CORE TEARDOWN TIMELINE
The core will be inspected by our Teardown Department to determine if it is a good, usable core, and should let you know within two weeks of its arrival.
CORE REFUND TIMELINE
Inspection of the core takes approximately 30 days. Once inspected, the appropriate core fees will be refunded promptly by check and mailed by the US mail. Please keep in mind that it usually takes 10-14 business days for you to receive your refund check in the mail, but it can take up to 30 days.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For information regarding your new engine, check out the links provided below:
If you are looking to sell a core to Choate Engineering Performance, you can contact us here.