bodhi

I wasn't aware that LPe was selling these blocks. That's pretty ******* cool. The numbers for LPE stil seem high. I don't know of a cam that I would want for $300. Most of the cams I look at are at least $350, pistons are more like $600+ the cost of rings, and rods are more like $600. I think Joe uses Eagles which are under $600 if I'm not mistaken, and you forgot assembly and bearings. This stuff adds up pretty quick.
LPE Prices:
$3500 Darton block
$500- Rods
$150- rings
$600- Pistons
$350+- Cam
$200- Bearings
$???- Assembly (what do you think LPE would charge to assemble a shortblock?)
That's at LEAST $5300 plus assembly. Joe told me that he could get the Darton block for around $3k (maybe under).

I think you need to take another look at the numbers.

MelloYellow

Don't forget the crank price.

myss2638

iTrader: (10)

Let me know if you find anything out. That is about as much info as I have been able to get out of the GM powertrain people.

At this point I guess it still has to be considered a rumor since I have not physically seen one yet.

I guess we will know soon enough since the new c6 is supposed to be unveiled at the NAIS in Jan 04.

jfm

iTrader: (4)

Dang,a 6L aluminum block would kick ***.

BTW-I still think there are a LOT of bad sleeve/Darton combos that we dont hear about,just MHO.

strife

i have 18000 miles on my ARE sleeved all bore




-----------------
2002 Phantom HSV GTO 382 M6 All Bore
2000 Commodore 436 Solid A3

Scott Turvey

The 6.0 aluminum block already exists. I have two. Whether they see the light of day as a production block remains to be seen...

They definately do not have knock sensors in the traditional location.

jfm

iTrader: (4)

Scott,more info please,dont leave us hanging.

VipZ28

iTrader: (4)

Hold on here, I don't think you are reffering to the DARTON sleeve system, I believe you are reffereing to the standard sleeves... I cannot recall a darton sleeved block dropping a sleeve, and due to the way they are installed I do not believe that you will be able to show me one case of the DARTON sleeves being dropped....

jfm

iTrader: (4)

Darton can leak at the O ring seals.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Prices I've seen for resleeved blocks are as follows:

Speed Inc. $1999 for a resleeved block, the other goodies are extra.

From the internet prices I've seen:
$1200 to $1400 for Darton wet sleeves
$600 for an LS6 block from Valvegod
$1200 to $1400 machine work

~$3000 to $3400 for a Darton wet sleeve block depending on who you talk too.

LPE seems as competive on this as anyone else but this stuff is expensive regardless of who is doing it.

Also about nine months ago TEA was looking at doing a sleeved block that was less expensive. Maybe someone update on that.

BTW

A friend sleeved many blocks for racing engines. His take on the whole sleeve thing is, it really comes down the quality of parts selected and the quality of the machine work being done to fit the sleeves. With quality machine work the Darton wets are better than the Darton drys. Properly set up dry sleeves will work but everything needs exact.

myss2638

iTrader: (10)

Scott, from what I have heard the 6L aluminum block is a go for the c6. Now if the rumors for the 2006 zo6 block are true (and it is backwards compatible) WATCH OUT!

Chicago Crew UnderBoss

iTrader: (1)

Please note that i talked to LPE last month and they are still R&D their Darton Sleeved Block and and it is not available yet, even though it is advertised on their web site, etc. After seeing that option go out the window i opted for the C5R block and its HEFTY Price tag as i wanted to build the most bullet proof 427 that i could and that starts with the block which is the foundation of the motor. Yeah the price is insanse but what the fruck you going to do!!!!!!

Bink

More info,please.

Warbird

I've got 9,000 miles on my 2 year old ARE dry-sleeved 415 motor, added a turbo this year and the block is rock solid. I know of many ARE big bore motors and no problems.

jfm

iTrader: (4)

MTI427C5Roadster,that is exactly my way of thinking.I dont want to worry about a dropped sleeve or a leaky Darton,that really only leaves the C5R block as an alternative.

I am not saying every Darton leaks or sleeves drop on every motor but there is a percentage that do and with my luck I would get one.I hate to do things twice so until C5Rs price drops or new C6 block is reasonable I will have to settle for near stock cubes.

Joe Kizzire

There is still some issues with the Darton wet sleeve application. It's a head gasket sealing problem in the 12 oclock area. There's not enough material left between the edge of the water jacket and lifter area. I saw some head gaskets that is supposed to fix the problem and I also saw the latest version of the sleeve with the updated o-rings at the bottom. The jury is still out in my opinion.

BaddMood

Why bother with anybodys sleeves other then ARE's They just went 8.50s gotta be the strongest block out there

TTopJohn

How about the MTI resleeved blocks - I haven't heard of any issues, dropped sleeve or otherwise, with those (aside from when they were doing the R&D on them)

robertbartsch

Hey MTI427:
Lots of companies will resleeve our blocks using Darton wet sleeves....the one below charges $1,000 for the machining

http://www.strokerkits.com/darton_sleeves.htm

Visceral

iTrader: (1)

That just means they kept the heads bolted down, not that their block was strongest. 8-9 second cars have issues other than sleeves.

I like MTI's sleeved block and I drive one. They use the same technique as ARE, though they might have their sleeves manufactured by someone else. My sleeved block was $1995.

chris