Interesting video. Looks expensive due to the machine work and labor so im interested to see the cost vs an aftermarket aluminum block.

 

Watched this vid this morning. In for pricing…

 

I get class racing, but at what point do you just move to an aftermarket block?

 

There aren't enough stock block classes to support someone spending that much for a resleeved block.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking. A dart block is $7,000 to $7,500. And one would think it is stronger all around.

 

I agree. It does sound like it comes fully blueprinted ready to assemble where the aftermarket aluminum blocks do not. So, factor that in and it gets closer to where the price point needs to be on this to consider it.

It's crazy how thin the material supporting the larger sleeves is on the stock block, but I've been watching several guys with resleeved 427's making a lot of power with several laps at the drag strip on them issue free.

I think this Steve Morris block filled would be able to handle a sh*t ton of power but at that price you would have to be simply wanting the bragging rights of doing it with a stock block.

 

Steve said in the vid that he would not drill holes for wet deck…it’s on you if you want headgasket problems. Obviously he changed his mind. Pricing starts at $6k…I’ve sold RED sleeved blocks for $6k, so I’m surprised by the starting pricing.
Best bang for the buck out there is the Concept LSR block.

 

Morris is using a non siameesed bore block in the video. There's a coolant transfer hole between the bores in that block making it non dry sleeve able. As far as I know the only siameesed bore 5.3 blocks are the LC9 12571048 and 12601900 casting numbers. All other Gen IV 5.3 blocks share the internal cores of the Gen III which have a coolant transfer hole between the bores including all front drive blocks.

 

Ya 6000 for a sleeved block or 7000 for a concept LSR which is going to be stronger AND give you 6 bolt per cylinder. At that point of spending 6000 for a block it's no longer a budget build might as well throw another grand out and get the better block with 6 bolt per cylinder.

 

I don't know many people who will pay $6K for a sleeved 4 bolt block these days.

Offhand I only know of one class (Holley LS Fest Stock Block) that mandates a stock 4 bolt block. The class only pays out $2-3K to the winner.

 

I also wonder how many of these are out being tested right now or if the first purchasers are also the test subjects.

 

What are your thoughts on him wanting to add the extra support for the top 1" of the deck? Is that an area of concern under normal conditions with sleeved blocks?

 

Also, if you don't want to comment directly about his design that is understandable, but I would like your input on where you normally see sleeved blocks fail. It seems like the mains are still the weak link and is why the LC9 block is preferred for resleeving correct?

The longer head studs seem like a benefit, but the rest of it may be adding additional cost without actually addressing the weak link with resleeved blocks.

 

That's interesting, why on earth would they make 2 versions like that? I've got a few cores here I need to look at closer.

 

Did you guys see his follow up video show his "Version 2" block modifications? Wondering if it'll still share that original price point.

 

From the amount of machine work required it’s likely to cost even more. At that point he’s replacing so much material with billet you are basically only doing it to say you used a stock block.

It also makes me suspect they found a problem with version one before any are even in the wild yet if they are already on to version 2.

Why bring something to market that hasn’t had real world testing ? He does amazing things but also has lots of problems initially. That’s part of the process but I don’t want to be a test subject. lol.

 

It does. You can order it either way. The options can take the cost all the way up to 8K

He also walked back and said if you really want a wet deck they will drill holes where the head gasket has them.

 

Its all theory right now. He admitted he thought about that thin flashing not doing anything to support the sleeve. So he made version 2 on the printer first and they are machining the new version of deck now.

Yes, at this point you would be a Guinea pig.
Block number one didn't even have the sleeves installed in it yet when he came up with design 2.

 

At that price point it seems like a no brainer to go with the dart or concept performance aluminum blocks that have r and d behind them.

Im sure morris would take care of you if his block failed but what about all the other parts it took with it when it failed?

 

Yeah this seems like a deep rabbit hole and not sure on risk vs reward. Don't get me wrong, the content is extremely interesting and he is a very intelligent man. He's clearly created interest and discussion.

All of that and still do not get priority main oiling in all of this that aftermarket blocks provide which I believe they still meet OEM block architecture for most classes. I feel like most classes just state no billet blocks.

The Deihl brothers just proved out my direction in this last Drag Week that Steve did for them. Dart block, dry decked block/heads, 1/2 studs, hooped, and parallel cooling.