i give up, soo,,....

[KungFuHamster]

Go Dart and don't look back. One of my best friends had his 347 built in a stock block - the first time. The engine wasn't too wild - ~400hp N/A with a 200 shot. All was well until it split.

The rotating assembly wasn't damaged and it was transfered into a Dart block... That was 9+ years of ever-increasing nitrous use and abuse ago.

agreed. a buddy of mine split his stock block right down the middle of the lifter valley in his ~460 rwhp S-trim H/C/I car.

though, im sure there are cheaper but stronger alternatives than a dart block out there (sportsman).

i agree with the crate motor thing. just buy a good longblock from a reputable source and be done with it.

or better yet....put a mod motor in it. 03 cobra motor FTW

[71chevellejohn]

Go Dart and don't look back. One of my best friends had his 347 built in a stock block - the first time. The engine wasn't too wild - ~400hp N/A with a 200 shot. All was well until it split.

The rotating assembly wasn't damaged and it was transfered into a Dart block... That was 9+ years of ever-increasing nitrous use and abuse ago.

[WildBill]

You know you will want more later on! Don't buy/build something you have to band-aide! Go ahead and man up for the Dart.

If you want long term street longevity, go with the 331 with the better rod ratio and pin placement on the piston. Race only would be another story.

Coast is a great value and they stand behind their product.

If you're gonna build something at this level, don't skimp on any of the supporting systems.

[Denny]

alrighty. i have been seeing your point, i trust what you say is right, its just me, not knowing what really i want/need at this point. it just doesnt seem right to me that a cast block,, which is whats used by coast high without the dart upgrade, idk.

If you can afford it and it gives you a piece of mind, then by all means, go for it.

[fbodyjohnny]

alrighty. i have been seeing your point, i trust what you say is right, its just me, not knowing what really i want/need at this point. it just doesnt seem right to me that a cast block,, which is whats used by coast high without the dart upgrade, idk.

[Denny]

I think they're a great idea. They provide valvetrain stability at high RPMs. My main point is that if you're going to sink that kind of money into a Dart-blocked motor for only 475hp, I thought you'd like to know that there are cheaper, reliable alternatives while still yeilding the same results.

[fbodyjohnny]

yes, i know you were talkin about the main girdle, i looked into that as well. what do you think about stud girdles?? worth it? seems like it to me... i said that about my cobalt because with these small block fords having stud girdles on the valvetrain, it would almost seem IMPOSSIBLE to have "valve float" occur with boost or just flat out high rpms....

[Denny]

Please don't get your Cobalt's block confused with a small block Ford.

I've got a 331 DSS long block with the Stage I ported Twisted Wedge Heads and Stage II TFS cam. I wouldn't hesitate to go up to 600hp on it.

And I'm talking about a main girdle (but support anything else you can as well):

[fbodyjohnny]

i know. the main girdle option they have seems pretty stout as well, and for my driving style, i guess it would be ok, but for my track days, i dont want to risk it. i DEFINITELY want to stud girlde, i know what its like to blow rocker arms and ditch valves into clylinders.. not cool, did it on my cobalt twice, so investing in stud girdles is going to be a good idea. main girdle, stud girdle, 2 different things... right? thats what im seeing at least...

[Denny]

Shit, just get a stud-girdled block and save your money from the Dart ass-raping. You're not looking for enough power to matter anyway.

[fbodyjohnny]

they also have some crate engine options on there, looking into that as well. the street fighter series, good up to 800hp. AFR heads, any compression ratio, damn near everything all ready to go. in my situation, this might be the way i go. something thats already built. i would LOVE to put one together with the help of my dad and uncle though. would definitely be fun, and good to know some bits and pieces of how to do shit like that. i dont know much, my "mechanical" skills arent much, i could easily do a tranny swap, change out a clutch, driveshaft, rear end, and do brakes and small things like that but i'm not ready to step into the engine work world... i have a lot to learn about that.

[fbodyjohnny]

yes.... i know that no matter HOW an engine is built or how it is treated,, something will eventually break, BUT, i dont want to run 500 hp on a weak block.. dart block all the way. even though the Iron block will be a bit heavier, but it aint like its going to absolutely kill it lol.

[black50]

15k gawd dam..You could buy the parts yourself and do it for under half that cost..

But why are you wanting a dart block for that amount of hp..Piece of mind in knowing the block wont split and future upgrades?

[fbodyjohnny]

fml. im so confused. im trying to understand this "head" business, so as im looking for trickflow heads to go with this block, im not finding 61.0 cc heads, what am i not understanding?

[fbodyjohnny]

the block with -14.2cc pistons seems like it would be more ideal, it says that with 61.0cc heads it would bring it to a 9.14 comp ratio, sounds like right on the money for 9 psi or more right?