99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

15,000 miles isn't much mileage or much of a durability test. I know some people don't drive that much with their set ups but I need info on how well Big Bore hold up long term. I don't think a few trips down the 1/4 or 5,000 miles really says much about the long term durability. If the motor was only used as a race set up I can see dropping the 15,000 requirement. However, I'd expect to be able to drive 100,000 miles with a Big Bore like MTI has suggested is possible with a properly set up one. I know one of their BB's has 50,000+ and counting without problems. That's the sort of BB set ups I want to clearly identify.

Mikey, thank for the info on the ARE sleeved blocks.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

If someone has a Sleeved block with less than 15,000 miles pleae post your results and I'll keep tally. Please post current mileage for your Sleeved block if possible.

Thanks

10 replies

5 without issues over 15,000 miles

5 with cooling issues

Note: Steve has 5 Darton Wet's that havent reached 15,000 miles that have zero issues.

Visceral

iTrader: (1)

well, theres just no way I have 15,000 miles on the motor. I wonder if I even have 500.
I have no problems whatsoever, other than clutch .

But I cant choose one of the above, because I dont have 15k miles. I only drive the car for pleasure when its not raining. So it has to be dry here adn I have to have a couple spare hours on my hands. HA! No wonder Ive driven it so little.

I have shared loads of crappy experiences... they just arent with MTI or with my LA Sleeved 387.

chris

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Visceral, who did the LA sleeves for you?

Thanks!


Stats:

Poll-10 votes-5 without issues over 15,000 miles & 5 with cooling issues

Notes:

Steve has 5 Darton Wet's that havent reached 15,000 miles that have zero issues.

Visceral - has LA Dry w/no issues todate.

Visceral

iTrader: (1)

MTI did....

chris

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

ttt for more votes

50 percent problem rate overall

Out of those voting even the ARE re-sleeves which have been held in high regard for being problem free are show about the same rate of problems as the other set ups.

strife

the sample rate which is hardly conclusive though

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

very true...thus the quest for more data.

KHShapiro

iTrader: (10)

i dont see how the new darton sleeves can drop.. i mean they are all linked to the deck..i think the problems are with these "custom" sleeves they are cooled before thyey are droped into a heated block. Maybe if they too had some sort of notched Deck top to lock into......

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

I agree I don't think the new darton wet sleeve can drop either when installed correctly. The maching process is very critical with only half of a thousandth of variance allowed/recommended.

Scalpel

iTrader: (4)

The Darton MID setups are the real deal. As long as they are done correctly, they'll have no issues, IMO. Stephan himself will be doing mine. He has the MOST experience with them and help invent them and better them.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

time for TTT to see if any Wet Sleeve user want to vote.

Black Sunshine/ 00SS

iTrader: (1)

I have some coolant issues, but I dont believe it has anything to do with the block being sleeved.

The Block is ARE, and is O-ringed with copper gaskets. I'm told that the leaking is from the O ring/copper gaskets. I reduced it alot by crushing up and putting the GM pellets in the radiator.

Nasty N8

iTrader: (33)

I have used Darton wet sleeves for 2 years and not seen a problem yet. I have a couple of customers in Australia that put monster power to them without problems. This is the way to go.

Nate

GTBMad

Finally got my Darton wet sleeve up and running this week 429 ci wont take long to run the usage up 6 months is usually about 20,000 km.

Heres hoping there are no sleeve problems.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Learned today that ARE has some drys sleeve set ups with 30,000+ miles going strong in daily drivers. Also several with 20,000+ miles. I think this some of the most encouraging info on sleeved motors so far. With ~50 to 60 sleeved blocks out there only ~5-6 have had leaking issues. That is a very impressive ~90 percent success rate.

CHRISPY

Don't forget if the sleeve is going to drop it usually does it in the first 3000 or less miles

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

That seems to be very true. My other thread show most of the issues seem to be either at start up or before 2,000 miles. Seems like if the motor makes it to 3,000 it's on it's well on it's way to a long life.