Lowest maintenance block?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Germantown, MD
Lowest maintenance block? I'm wondering which block would stand up best long term to being boosted. I'm kinda teetering between a Darton Mid sleeved Aluminum block and an Iron block. The Alum block would be lighter and from what I hear stronger, but the iron block is cheaper. If there is another configuration out there(C5R, LS2 or whatever) that you feel is apart of the LSX family that might be even better, please through your idea out. Also for those of you who have these blocks and are throwing significant boost at them, what type of maintenance do you do to your block?
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
A sleeved aluminum block would be a hell of a lot more expensive then an iron block. An iron block is best bang for buck in my opinion. There is always better stuff out there, depends on what your wallet can handle.
SSU'S Vice Mod
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hazard Co. Maryland
Buschman, from the things I've read and from what's been discussed here, the Darton MID isn't exactly proven yet. Especially in an application that sees significant street time (which your car does). If you go the C5R (356-t6 alum vs. production 341), be prepared to plunk down close to 6K for the block alone (plus the machine work if you don't want to go dry sump as it isn't designed for a wet sump). Iron is the cheapest way to go. What other plans do you have? I've been contimplaiting an LS2 cleaned up a little bit, still allowing good thick cyl walls and somewhere in the 382~388 cid range (square motors and out of square motors make me a little nervous if you intend to rev). I think you'd be best off to wait to the end of the year until we know three things. 1) What happens with the LS7 block, 2) If World will make a Gen III big bore block (man that'd be nice) and 3) GAS PRICES!!
It totally depends on what your power goals are as to what you need. If you just want to know what the strongest are then I would guess:
1) C5R (it is a purpose built race block after all)
2) Iron Block
3) Darton MID
If you are trying to make less than 900rwhp I think that you are probably ok with any of the above, and the C5R is overkill. If you are trying to make more then that I would go with either the C5R or iron block...I have heard that the mains start to move around on a LS1 block around 1000rwhp, so I would stay away from it at that power level.
On any of the motors that you decide to do, it is probably worth it to toss a main girdle on there for the added strength...probably somewhere around $600 for some add'l peace-of-mind.
1) C5R (it is a purpose built race block after all)
2) Iron Block
3) Darton MID
If you are trying to make less than 900rwhp I think that you are probably ok with any of the above, and the C5R is overkill. If you are trying to make more then that I would go with either the C5R or iron block...I have heard that the mains start to move around on a LS1 block around 1000rwhp, so I would stay away from it at that power level.
On any of the motors that you decide to do, it is probably worth it to toss a main girdle on there for the added strength...probably somewhere around $600 for some add'l peace-of-mind.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Germantown, MD
Well I'm not really asking about bang for the buck. I'm figuring on spending in the neighborhood of $8-12K for the right setup. In this particular thread I'm really just interested in longevity and maintenance.
C5R probably will be cost prohibitive, plus from what I understand most of it's heavy advantages won't be utilized in an FI car. Yes darton midsleeving is different than the norm. But if I followed the trends, I'd have a heads and cam, th400, weight reduced shell of an F-Body with a 200 shot. 
I'm not afraid to try something outside the norm. Yes a $4K darton mid slevved Alum LS1 would be more costly than a $600 iron block, but it's also lighter and some say stronger. So maybe if longevity is a major consideration then that might be a wise route in the long run.
I'm in no rush and by no means itchin to drop 8 Gs right now. Just thinking out loud and looking for some feedback. My plans are to build up the motor and fuel system to handle much more boost than my D1 can produce. Then at that time evalutate which system would be best to upgrade my D1 too. Maybe turbo, maybe an F series blower. Whatever I do I'd like to make a run at Mightymouse. But I'm certainly not gonna talk any smack. Just want to be at that level. Low 10, maybe 9 second "comfortably" street driven F-Body.
How am I gonna beat the mouse if I'm always one step behind him?
Mike
Originally Posted by sb427f-car
Buschman, from the things I've read and from what's been discussed here, the Darton MID isn't exactly proven yet. Especially in an application that sees significant street time (which your car does). If you go the C5R (356-t6 alum vs. production 341), be prepared to plunk down close to 6K for the block alone (plus the machine work if you don't want to go dry sump as it isn't designed for a wet sump). Iron is the cheapest way to go. What other plans do you have? I've been contimplaiting an LS2 cleaned up a little bit, still allowing good thick cyl walls and somewhere in the 382~388 cid range (square motors and out of square motors make me a little nervous if you intend to rev). I think you'd be best off to wait to the end of the year until we know three things. 1) What happens with the LS7 block, 2) If World will make a Gen III big bore block (man that'd be nice) and 3) GAS PRICES!!
I'm not afraid to try something outside the norm. Yes a $4K darton mid slevved Alum LS1 would be more costly than a $600 iron block, but it's also lighter and some say stronger. So maybe if longevity is a major consideration then that might be a wise route in the long run.I'm in no rush and by no means itchin to drop 8 Gs right now. Just thinking out loud and looking for some feedback. My plans are to build up the motor and fuel system to handle much more boost than my D1 can produce. Then at that time evalutate which system would be best to upgrade my D1 too. Maybe turbo, maybe an F series blower. Whatever I do I'd like to make a run at Mightymouse. But I'm certainly not gonna talk any smack. Just want to be at that level. Low 10, maybe 9 second "comfortably" street driven F-Body.
How am I gonna beat the mouse if I'm always one step behind him?
Mike
SSU'S Vice Mod
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,391
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From: Hazard Co. Maryland
You make me proud son. LOL, you need any hands, I'm in state, I'll be happy to help wrench. I knew I liked you, we think a like, just that you've got more funds and experience. DAMN I wish the oil prices would drop so I can afford a TA 
Talk with speed inc. I know they sell the Darton MID blocks. Maybe they've got more info on them.
Talk with speed inc. I know they sell the Darton MID blocks. Maybe they've got more info on them.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Germantown, MD
That's it? I'm surprised this thread hasn't garnered more conversation. Does no one really care about maintenance and longevity of the block? You all are some rich ****'s if you don't. 
Plus it's not often you get to smack talk Minnie Mouse a little and slip under the radar.
Hopefully this thread will get a little more life as I'm interested to hear more discussion on the topic.
Mike
p.s. How is a standard iron block gonna be stronger than a darton midsleeved aluminum block? I just don't see that happening. Those darton midsleeves are supposedily very tough.
Plus it's not often you get to smack talk Minnie Mouse a little and slip under the radar.
Hopefully this thread will get a little more life as I'm interested to hear more discussion on the topic.
Mike
p.s. How is a standard iron block gonna be stronger than a darton midsleeved aluminum block? I just don't see that happening. Those darton midsleeves are supposedily very tough.
SSU'S Vice Mod
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 0
From: Hazard Co. Maryland
Originally Posted by buschman
That's it? I'm surprised this thread hasn't garnered more conversation. Does no one really care about maintenance and longevity of the block? You all are some rich ****'s if you don't.
Plus it's not often you get to smack talk Minnie Mouse a little and slip under the radar.
Hopefully this thread will get a little more life as I'm interested to hear more discussion on the topic.
Mike
p.s. How is a standard iron block gonna be stronger than a darton midsleeved aluminum block? I just don't see that happening. Those darton midsleeves are supposedily very tough.
Plus it's not often you get to smack talk Minnie Mouse a little and slip under the radar.
Hopefully this thread will get a little more life as I'm interested to hear more discussion on the topic.
Mike
p.s. How is a standard iron block gonna be stronger than a darton midsleeved aluminum block? I just don't see that happening. Those darton midsleeves are supposedily very tough.
I've heard it both ways. Some people have said that they aren't that great, yet considering they are the same sleeves that a lot of Nitro Pros use (ok, maybe not the EXACT same) you'd think they are tough as nails. I don't know. Like I said, you almost need to talk to a builder that has worked with them.