i just bought and installed a 306 short block very happy, great people to deal with. they answered all my questions (very helpful). great price and a warranty.
My DSS 331 pro bullet grenaded on me. But mine was also an engine set up to turn 7,000+ rpms. I run the crap out of mine on the street and at the track. Mine driven with some sense(or as a daily driver) probably would have lasted a lot longer. Then again, they claim to handle 650+hp and up to 8,000 rpms with their girdle and "race prepped block", but mine didn't last. Just my experience though. Lots of people have good luck and quite a few don't.
i guess ill start the argument and i cant hold my self back!
"race prepped block" <--- that kills me, i dont care how much you grind,machine,port, or bore a stock block, its still a stock block, it will still hold the same amount of power as a un touched stock block, and a girdle is a crock too, if my engine was going to explode i would rather it break a little instead of putting a girdle on it and just holding all the main caps together where they all break at once, sounds like a 4 for 1 deal to me that i dont think i want a part of ...
I would go with a world man o war block. I've heard very good things about them and they come highly reccommended from a personal friend who builds engines for a living. The block has the same deck height a 302 does but what they did was make the walls thicker so it could handle more power. Can hardly tell the difference looking at one compaired to a 302 - not only that, they bore and stroke out to 375cui small block. Fairly cheap too.
i just bought and installed a 306 short block very happy, great people to deal with. they answered all my questions (very helpful). great price and a warranty.
same here, runs great no problems at all. As for the race prepped block issue....it's still a damn stock block, if you plan on 500hp and up get a serious block.
fiveohGT- The Man-O-War is a nice block but it requires some special parts, unlike the DART variety of racing blocks that are out. They are also very heavy, over 60 pounds heavier then the DART Iron Eagle, and they are rated at the same power level. I have pictures on my site of one I built for a customer... SHame they have the extra head bolts holes but know one besides a custom drilled Blue Thunder race head will fit it, and it is not class legal anywhere (extra bolt holes).
mustangsally93- As far as the shortblock goes it depends what you want but like the others mentioned already after about 40450RWHP you are taking the chance of splitting the factory block. It depends on your power level, budget and intentions with the car and combo. If I can help let me know...