I am getting ready to start ordering parts for my new engine build and I am curious as to which block to go with. I'm pretty much set on a Dart block but I was wondering which one I should go with, sportsman or iron eagle. Cost difference is around $400 and the iron eagle has all 4 bolt main as opposed to the sportsman having 4 bolt mains except for the two end caps which are two bolt.
Dart Sportsman Ford small-blocks are a cost saving version of our Iron Eagle block. They use ductile main caps with 4-bolt centers and 2-bolt end caps, and do not include the coated cam bearings, freeze plugs and dowels which come with the Iron Eagle. The Sportsman blocks are made of the same quality materials and machined to the same tolerances as all Dart blocks.
I heard a rumor that it is tough to find if not impossible a early model (front sump) oil pan that will clear the end caps on the Iron Eagle??? That is one consideration.
I intend to use my existing AFR185 heads, do 347 or 363ci and do a non intercooled ATI D1SC Procharger blow through at around 12 PSI on pump gas. This shoud net me around 725HP and 625 tq based on some other similar builds that I have seen dyno #'s on.
I know a guy that just built a 347 w/ AFR205's and a non intercooled D1SC on a sportsman block w/ a pretty small Hyd roller and he netted 804HP and 650tq at the flywheel.
Anyway your input is appreciated and thanks in advance for the help.
Dart Sportsman Ford small-blocks are a cost saving version of our Iron Eagle block. They use ductile main caps with 4-bolt centers and 2-bolt end caps, and do not include the coated cam bearings, freeze plugs and dowels which come with the Iron Eagle. The Sportsman blocks are made of the same quality materials and machined to the same tolerances as all Dart blocks.
I heard a rumor that it is tough to find if not impossible a early model (front sump) oil pan that will clear the end caps on the Iron Eagle??? That is one consideration.
I intend to use my existing AFR185 heads, do 347 or 363ci and do a non intercooled ATI D1SC Procharger blow through at around 12 PSI on pump gas. This shoud net me around 725HP and 625 tq based on some other similar builds that I have seen dyno #'s on.
I know a guy that just built a 347 w/ AFR205's and a non intercooled D1SC on a sportsman block w/ a pretty small Hyd roller and he netted 804HP and 650tq at the flywheel.
Anyway your input is appreciated and thanks in advance for the help.