FCar2000TA

iTrader: (7)

Just curious if there are any reviews of a Darton sleeved motor from Texas-Speed. I didn't know that they did resleeved motors until I searched after ERL closed. Their prices look really nice, *****-to-the-wall ERL 454 was right around $10K. Texas Speed with the same Callies Compstar internals is right around $7K. The only difference is ERL superdeck vs Darton.

Jontall

I never saw those options before... Looks like they are filling the niche now that ERL is out. Fantastic work Texas Speed!!!

FCar2000TA

iTrader: (7)

Even if you opt for the Ultra Billet internals, and all of the options, the price is barely over what the ERL Superdeck was.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Texas Speed has offered this for a while now. I talked with them about their Darton sleeved bare block this winter, and almost bought one, but decided to go with RED sleeving a block I already had instead, due to experience.
The sleeved block from Texas Speed is like $2k, but you have to deck, bore/hone, and align hone it when you get it, or they will machine it for $500.00 more.
They start with new 5.3 aluminum blocks...

FCar2000TA

iTrader: (7)

Oh.. I thought that R.E.D. sleeved all Darton blocks.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Steve will and does sleeve just about any manufacturers block. He uses Darton sleeves. If you need a donor block, Steve will supply a 5.3 aluminum block for you.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

There's a machine shop down the road from me in Fort Walton Beach that does Darton MID Sleeves in LS blocks for $2500. He also does Honda and a few other things. So there may be a couple of options nearby if you check.

But the Darton dry sleeves are a good option for big motor NA power... I don't know how much they support with boost though. I know the MID/wet sleeves can withstand a ton of power. However, I haven't seen much in the way of Darton stuff anymore. It's just as easy to go with a GM block (LS7 or LSX) it seems. But it seems like the Dartons are cheaper and definitely stronger.

Jontall

I don't like the way RED drills through the block between the cam and crankshaft... Does nothing but weaken the block and I've read that some crack.

Tuskyz28

You talking about the breathing hole?

I never heard of one cracking. Where did you read that info at ?

HISS

iTrader: (52)

Check out Howard at AR Fab aka Darton East. I'd put a link up but he's not a site sponsor. Work is top notch.

KCS

iTrader: (20)

It's an option he does when you use a 5.3L block since they don't have the bay windows. It's basically the same thing GM did to the early LS1 blocks.

Tuskyz28

The hole supposed to help the oiling at higher rpm.... that's what I remember Steve telling me.

FCar2000TA

iTrader: (7)

So, does R.E.D. sleeve the blocks, then send the block to Texas Speed, or does R.E.D. just send the sleeves to TSP, and TSP sleeves the block? Assuming R.E.D. still owns Darton.

Tuskyz28

Great Question!! I'm willing to bet R.E.D does the sleeve work to the motors then send them back to Texas. It takes a special kind of machine to get the job done and by the way Steve was telling me it takes some skill to do it correctly.

Jontall

Texas Speed has their own Centroid 4-axis CNC for block sleeves and everything else: https://www.texas-speed.com/t-enginebuildinfo.aspx

KCS

iTrader: (20)

I don't think Steve/RED owns Darton, but he is a co-holder for the Darton MID Sleeve patent. I visited RED when I went on vacation to San Diego, and he does do the sleeving and stress relief in house. He does A LOT of different engines too, from Hondas to GTRs and even some Mercedes blocks.

I don't know anything about TSP's blocks, but I really doubt they farm out the work to RED. I'm sure they do it in house like everything else they're into.

Jontall

I can't find the article, but I have the picture:

Tuskyz28

Jontall... Do Texas Speed drills the hole in block ? ​​​​

Did ERL ever drill the hole in the block ?

FCar2000TA

iTrader: (7)

ERL did as an option. I think LS2, LS3, and LS7 blocks all have it already, so starting with one of those would eliminate the issue. However, I have heard that 5.3 blocks are stronger than LS# blocks.

Tuskyz28

R.E.D also has it as a option on the 5.3 blocks. Now if the LS2,3,7 blocks has it already..... I don't see how drilling a hole the same size as the others will make it weaker and making it crack. Im confused to say the least.