99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

All Sleeved Block comments and experiences greatly appreciated. Super stroker guys with sleeves please respond too.

I would like to get a feel for what I might be about to get into if I have a Big Bore 382-388 built for my 91 RS. I have confidense in my builder but after seeing what's required for Darton Wet's I'm worried. The Drys also worry me.

I listed the four types/systems of sleeves I know about...

Darton Wet
Darton Dry
ARE - Darton Dry
LA Sleeves Dry

Thanks for taking time to vote.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

This should be interesting..

GTBMad

Just got my Darton Wet back last week hope they have no issues.

DERTY

ARE Dry sleeve, 382 AB. No issues to date. More nitrous passes then I can count at this point with 200HP. About 10 300HP passes and still no issues. Drive it around town, no issues.

After looking at the Darton Wet sleeves at PRI, I would definitely consider those over the ARE dry sleeves. The main reason is the amount of section thickness through the length of the sleeve is much better. Yes, it requires some interesting machining. Once people get that figured out it will be a very nice setup. Virtually a 0% chance of dropping the sleeve due to it's shoulder setup as well. Very nice looking piece of work.

Either sleeve would work, but I would definitely consider the wet sleeves at this point. Darton also offers a service to install the sleeves for you if you or your builder are not comfortable doing the machine work.

Speedfreaks101

Who installed your sleeves?

Which builders are using the Darton wet sleeve?

Later,
Bart

strife

over 20 000 miles on my are ARE 4.1 bore no issues

Steve - Race Eng

iTrader: (1)

These are the builders that I am aware of that use the MID sleeve setup. I've either done blocks for them directly or through Darton or have spoken with them about the installation.

Lingenfelter, Gen III, Cartek, School of Automotive Machinists, JPR, Redline Motorsports, Morgan Motorsports, Thunder Racing, and Kroyer Racing Engines. The list grows longer every week by the way.

Steve Demirjian
Race Engine Development

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Moderators - I would like to edit the poll and add the following options:

MTI dry - had no issues to date & over 15,000 miles
MTI dry - had coolant/leaking issues

I didn't realize MTI had their own custom dry sleeve.

thanks

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

TTT for more votes and data collection.

So far a total of 3 out of 7 Sleeved blocks didn't have issues.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

TTT for more votes and data collection.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

I am surprised many have not responded. Who are they protecting? One of the reasons this board was created was to help people make good decisions on engine builds. If people do not share information some will take chances and end up spending a lot of money for nothing. Maybe that is the purpose of the silence?

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

I'm sort of wondering the same thing because I know there are/have been more than just 7 Big Bores or Super strokers on this board.

NoGo

iTrader: (2)

I am currently using an MTI dry sleeve. I have been chasing a cooling issue for ~6 months now. The new engine has always ingested just a *bit* of water (takes roughly 300 miles to notice).

Its fine for racing, but it is annoying for a daily driver.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Did you vote in the poll?

Good info thank you for sharing it.

Scott Turvey

I have five motors, but I don't qualify to respond because none of them fit your criteria yet. They are all Darton wet's and have less than 15,000 miles. No issues.

NoGo

iTrader: (2)

I say scratch the 15,000 mile part.

Most people who spend enough on their car to punch out the motor are not going to use it as a daily driver.

It would be interesting to see exactly how reliable it is to punch out these motors. I know plenty of people / customers that have done it with no problems at all. I know about equal as many that have had to deal with some sort of coolant problem.

mikey

iTrader: (6)

Never had a leak issue with my ARE motors (I use one and sell them too). All have been rock solid.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Now that is more like it. I was beginning to think there was some sort of conspiracy going on. So basically it is a crap shoot when going resleeved. Knowing this push me more to the iron block or just holding off longer and getting the C5R block.. I am on my 3rd motor. I really do not feel like building a fourth for the same car.

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

The sad part is that your more than likely to hear about problems than people that have no problems.Same as valve springs,5 people report they break and everybody jumps..But there are 5000 people that have no problems...See what I mean

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

I guess you are right. Who actually knows what is going on out there? The problem that I see is if problems are not posted you have someone thinking that something is ok to do. I know people who have made mad mistakes and would never share the information. Their thought is I had to learn the hard way then others should too. Those same people sell parts to others knowing that the part does not work. I on the other hand like to share my experiences. Whether bad or good. Silence only helps bad vendors. I will help a vendor promote a good product, but not cover up for a bad product. The Vendors have to understand that we understand they are learning too, but we should not have to take FULL responsibility for their learning curve. The VENDOR who shares is the VENDOR who cares should be the slogan. We know most of the time we are test mules. We just want you to stand behind your experiment. Dont let your personal bills dictate whether you are going to be honest with your customers. We have bills as well. Where am I going with this? I need to get to the gym. Anyway, we live in the information age. Share the information please.