Dart v.s World...Better Block?

[KBCobra95]

After saving like crazy, I finally have enough to buy a block strong enough for my needs/ wants. Now I have to decide on whether to buy Dart's "Sportsman" or World's "Man-O-War" block. Which block would be the best. i know both hold relatively the same amount of HP. World is around $400 more than the Dart which is a good chunk of change. But world has 4 bold mains on ALL caps as where dart has 4 bolt on center 3 main journals because of oil pan fitment? Let me know because the time is coming soon for the new buy! Thanks! Andrew

 

[illwood]

Personally, I my *eventual* engine plans are based around a man-o-war block. I don't have any experience with them, other than knowing they make some pretty good race cylinder heads. I think you can find both for about the same price, so it's down to personal preference.

 

[blksn955.o]

I thought it was the Dart "iron eagle" block that was along the lines of the man o war block. I thought the sportsman was the "in the middle" or cheaper block?

 

[KBCobra95]

The sportsman is good to 1500hp and I doubt I'll ever make that.

 

[skpm316]

The Dart Iron Eagle block has 4 caps on all the mains just like the Man O War block, both these blocks are rated for 1800hp plus. if you are not even going to come close to 1500hp like you said then go with th Dart Sportman block, why spend the extra money for something you do not need. I was going to order the M.O.W block for my 383 twin turbo set up but dedcided to go with the Dart Iron Eagle only because the M.O.W block is so new and there has not been enough feed back on how good or bad they are by experienced and reputable engine builders. It was suggested to me by Bennett racing and others to go with something that has been tried and true, and has a great reputation of being a very reliable block, that being DART.

 

[wytstang]

I agree with the above, you could join hardcore50 and ask what those guys have heard or used the M.O.W blocks....

 

[mootang]

http://www.adperformance.com/

 

[Daggar]

Not to mention the roughly 60+ pound difference between the Dart Sportsman and MOW blocks. There's no reason to go with a heavier block if you're not planning to run HP levels to even the potential of the Sportsman.

 

[KBCobra95]

The Dart Iron Eagle block has 4 caps on all the mains just like the Man O War block, both these blocks are rated for 1800hp plus. if you are not even going to come close to 1500hp like you said then go with th Dart Sportman block, why spend the extra money for something you do not need. I was going to order the M.O.W block for my 383 twin turbo set up but dedcided to go with the Dart Iron Eagle only because the M.O.W block is so new and there has not been enough feed back on how good or bad they are by experienced and reputable engine builders. It was suggested to me by Bennett racing and others to go with something that has been tried and true, and has a great reputation of being a very reliable block, that being DART.

I was told I would have a hard time with an oil pan with the M.O.W with the 4 caps on all mains?

 

[QUIKSVT]

I was told I would have a hard time with an oil pan with the M.O.W with the 4 caps on all mains?

yes.. you will.. the dart sportsman block is cheap.. and will do what u need it to just fine..

 

[95Vert]

a lil off topic. quiksvt, is your sig correct?

 

[BlueOvalStangGT]

Not with those wheels/tires!

 

[QUIKSVT]

a lil off topic. quiksvt, is your sig correct?

Haha. Yea. Stock long block. And I pulled those 1/4 times on V6 wheels and tires.

 

[BlueOvalStangGT]

Dang, those SZFQ-trims really make power! :rolleyes

 

[95Vert]

 

[Killercanary]

Not to mention the roughly 60+ pound difference between the Dart Sportsman and MOW blocks. There's no reason to go with a heavier block if you're not planning to run HP levels to even the potential of the Sportsman.

My thoughts exactly. I went with the dart sportsman because the block itself is the same casting as the iron eagle, only it doesn't have 4 bolt mains on the two end caps. From what I've seen and heard that shouldn't make a bit of difference in anything most of us will build. My bottom end should now be good to >1000hp if I ever want to do something crazy.

I will tell you this, I did a ton of homework and had more than a few people help me with pricing in building this shortblock and I still have a good bit over $5000 in it. It nice knowing that I have a shortblock that can take just about anything, but unforntunately I don't have any funds to do anything with it now. It ended up costing me more than I had originally planned, and I normally plan well.

 

[KBCobra95]

What kinda heads/boost were you running? Internals? Cam? HP? Please, all the help I can get will be greatly appreciated!

 

[igotyofire]

isn't the R302 block in the same category, and price range?

 

[Rick 91GT]

There is no oil pan issue when using the proper oil pan and radiusing the rear cap to give yourself a little extra clearance. That goes for either the MOW or IE block.

The MOW take me significantly more time to prep over the IE or Sportsman block, and it is much heavier.

The main differences are
MOW has 1/2" main studs vs IE and Sportman have 7/16" bolts

MOW needs custom length or atleast non shelf kit length head studs, they are recessed into the block an additional .600". ARP head stud kit will be around $150.

MOW needs significant grinding to get ANY motor mount on the block.

MOW has doweled mains, DART doesnt...they both use the same billet caps.

If you get the MOW just make sure you put some screws in the extra head bolt holes that you are not using as they have seeped on me in the past.

I like both blocks and would build either for any healthy combo, the Sportsman is a great block for the money and will accept a stock lifter and dogbone assembly. The MOW and IE needs a linked bar lifter....

The IE comes with freeze plugs, cam plug (special size for a DART) and coated cam bearings...none of the other blocks do.

Availabilty from either source can be sketchy at times...

 

[Rick 91GT]

isn't the R302 block in the same category, and price range?

In my expierence the R302 cost me more to machine in all cases, and the DART and MOW are better designed blocks with larger overbore capacity, oiling, etc...