Blocks (TOPIC SPLIT from o'ring thread)

[QWKSNKE]

Originally Posted by flashbang756

I'm not trying to start an argument either. Just like the wideband issue, it's good tech. I understand the reason your not going to because AFR said not to. But for some reason, I myself wouldn't put much stock in the machinists thoughts because of the mexican block thing. If he had never heard of a mexican block and said so, then that's cool. But if he hadn't heard of one and then said it wasn't any better, then that's where I have a problem. Just looking at one for a few seconds, and the differences/advantages are extremely obvious.

On the mexican block issue.... (since it keeps popping up)

I believe his point was rather than go spending unecessary money machining a mexican block, his OPINION was put that money towards a dart block or equivalent. Mex block is only worth a few hp over OEM. (I am guessing 100 or so)That is all.

I do trust the machine shop I use quite a bit. If I didn't, I wouldn't use them. (or pay the high ass labor) They put out a lot of performance engines a year. Now, am I solely going to listen to him, of course not. That's what I have Edgar's phone # for


Did I purchase the Cometics because of my preferred machinist? Yes. I also purchased them because Edgar told me to 3 months ago. And I also purchased them because AFR told me to even though Cometic didn't recommend it.

[NightHawk756]

Originally Posted by QWKSNKE

On the mexican block issue.... (since it keeps popping up)

I believe his point was rather than go spending unecessary money machining a mexican block, his OPINION was put that money towards a dart block or equivalent.

What? You had to machine your stock block. Machining a mexican isn't any more. I don't understand the "unecessary money machining a mexican block" part. And as far as cost, a dart block is going to cost you in the neighborhood of $2000. How does that compare to $300 or so that I have seen mexican blocks sell for, for more peace of mind.

Mex block is only worth a few hp over OEM. (I am guessing 100 or so)That is all.

Well, that's funny. Because everyone on Turbomustangs that's used mexicans for several years can't even put a hp rating on them because no one has split one yet. There's even one guy that has gone 8's with one, went way lean, major problems, pulled it out and the block was still fine. It's now back in a 9 second car. Sounds like more than 100 over OEM to me.

Did I purchase the Cometics because of my preferred machinist? Yes. I also purchased them because Edgar told me to 3 months ago. And I also purchased them because AFR told me to even though Cometic didn't recommend it.

I never said anything about the use of cometics. As a matter of fact, I said they may be fine. I've heard nothing but good things about these gaskets. My problem was with not o-ringing the heads and why.

[NightHawk756]

Originally Posted by slvrbullit

Gonna add my experience with the o-ringing of the block and use of copper gasket.

Some of you are aware of the turbo car a friend of mine built and I helped some. Well after having the block o ringed and purchasing some ROL copper gaskets, we put the motor together and all is going great. Set the motor in the car and get everything hooked up ie. radiator, turbo plumbing, and all the other little goodies. Anyways we start putting coolant in the radiator and all of a sudden we hear water running and hitting the floor. Look down and see a nice green stream of coolant flowing out from under the car. Upon further investigation we see that the coolant is running between the block and the heads. After tearing the motor back out of the car and removing the heads we find that the gaskets were not making full contact with the head or block. Took the motor completely apart and sent the block to the machine shop to have the o-rings removed and ordered a set of cometic gaskets. So far all is good with the car and has seen 17psi and no head gasket problems.

Maybe this car will make it to the track one day.

I've never been a fan of 0-ringing a block. I like the idea of actually having an 0-ring in the head that seats into the gasket when torqued.

[coupe]

Originally Posted by flashbang756

There's even one guy that has gone 8's with one, went way lean, major problems, pulled it out and the block was still fine. It's now back in a 9 second car. Sounds like more than 100 over OEM to me.

The stockers can hold around 600 hp (which will take you into the 9's in a mustang). Of course, you can make one lay down more power, but not for long (Blake did 637hp/750tq)...I think it's safe to say the Mexican is capable of 100-150 more hp than a XXX or YYY roller block...that would put it around 750, which can get a mustang into the high 8's.

As far as the R302 or Dart as a comparison?
They can be abused with 1500 hp and not flinch. Just my .02.

[NightHawk756]

Originally Posted by coupe

The stockers can hold around 600 hp (which will take you into the 9's in a mustang). Of course, you can make one lay down more power, but not for long (Blake did 637hp/750tq)...I think it's safe to say the Mexican is capable of 100-150 more hp than a XXX or YYY roller block...that would put it around 750, which can get a mustang into the high 8's.

As far as the R302 or Dart as a comparison?
They can be abused with 1500 hp and not flinch. Just my .02.

Well, maybe you've been around some 600hp mustangs in the 9's but I haven't. Are you talking fwhp or rwhp? Because if your talking rwhp then your at a stock blocks splitting limit and on borrowed time. And if your talking about rwhp, then look at several guys here with over 500 rwhp that are still in the 12's. It's not as "common" as you make it sound. Yes, I DO see guys with stock blocks in the 10's but not very many at all in the 9's. And I've never seen one in the 8's.

Also, coupe, I wasn't comparing hp capabilities between the dart and mexican. I was comparing cost because his machinist said to put the money towards a dart. When the only other money other than machining the stocker would have been in the $300 neighborhood for a mexican rather than $2000 for a dart.

[coupe]

True on the money thing. It's expensive to go the R or Dart route. But what do you have in the Mexican with Machine work? I think you could certainly find used R's or Darts for $1000...pretty much already machined too. I'm just one of those who has waited (and passed on a couple mexican blocks) and I think finally, my wait is over .

[NightHawk756]

Originally Posted by coupe

True on the money thing. It's expensive to go the R or Dart route. But what do you have in the Mexican with Machine work? I think you could certainly find used R's or Darts for $1000...pretty much already machined too. I'm just one of those who has waited (and passed on a couple mexican blocks) and I think finally, my wait is over .

The thing your missing coupe is that we are talking about building a stock block or building a mexican block. So, with that being said, the machine cost is the same for both, so you exclude that. The only "extra" money you spend is what you get a mexican block for. I've seen them for as little as $300 and as much as $500. So, if your wanting to keep your project in the 600rwhp range and never plan to go higher, then a mexican is perfect. Because it gives you that 150-200 more hp area for peace of mind and you spend about a $1000 less than a dart if take out machining.

[Italian LX]

Originally Posted by flashbang756

The thing your missing coupe is that we are talking about building a stock block or building a mexican block. So, with that being said, the machine cost is the same for both, so you exclude that. The only "extra" money you spend is what you get a mexican block for. I've seen them for as little as $300 and as much as $500.

You seemed to have left out the $400 lifters that is required for a non-roller motor. :P

[NightHawk756]

Originally Posted by Italian LX

You seemed to have left out the $400 lifters that is required for a non-roller motor. :P

OOps, I forgot about that part. Ok, it's $600 cheaper than a dart if you spend $500 for the mexican. Or as much as $800 cheaper if you get your mexican for $300 as I'm seeing alot of lately.

[Italian LX]

Originally Posted by flashbang756

OOps, I forgot about that part. Ok, it's $600 cheaper than a dart if you spend $500 for the mexican.

Actually, the difference between the mexican and the dart would still be the same since those lifter would be needed for a Dart block. I was pointing out how much more the mexican would be over using a stock block.