Ford Sportsman block questions

[Mike92GT]

I'm in the market for a new short block. I was wondering if it would be worth the extra money to have it built on a new Ford Sportsman block as opposed to a used stock block. Any idea on how much power the Sportsman block can handle? Will it still accept my DSS girdle if I choose to re-use it? Ideally I would get a Dart Sportsman block, but I think it's a little out of my price range. I'm looking to make around 450-475 rwhp when all is said and done.

Here is the block I'm referring to.

http://www.adperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_258&products_id=684

 

[89white50]

the last line says it should be used in a motor that exceeds 450hp at 6k rpm. im sure thats being pretty damn conservative, but i would expect a sportsman block to handle that just fine.

do you know if the lifter valley area is strengthened, cuz thats one of the weakest links on stock blocks.

 

[92importkiller]

i would get a DSS level 20 block.......

 

[89white50]

why why why does everyone say a DSS level 20 block? it still a STOCK block!

 

[just4bob50]

that the latest gimmick from DSS. I dont get it either why spend that amount of dough on a stock block.

 

[bluevenom867]

why why why does everyone say a DSS level 20 block? it still a STOCK block!

I forget were I saw it,but I read that the 351W Sportsman II (yes theres TWO sportsman blocks) were marine blocks because they were casted better (less core shift,thinker webbing).

Im not sure on it though.

Also,I think a late 60's 302 block or a Mexican block would hold up just as well.But maybe harder to find,and not that much cheaper.

And yea,the DSS lvl 20 is just a fully machined STOCK block.Even if I got one I would probably drop it by the machine shop to make sure DSS didnt f*** up (like they have in the past,just search).

 

[Mike92GT]

My current motor is a DSS Bullet 308. It ran great, but after 40k miles I'm pretty sure the bearings are all wiped out. I'm thinking about doing something different this time, but I'm not sure if the Sportsman block would be worth the extra cash.

 

[onefstsnake]

A friend of mine is running 650RWHP+ on his B50 Sportsman Block.

D1SC at around 15-18psi. Runs great!

 

[Daggar]

That sportsman is a glorified stock block. It's not $900 worth of being better than a regular ole reman casting. Put together an additional $900 and get it into a Dart block. Block strength just won't be a question anymore.

 

[ms93gt]

Just wait until summer time and get the new ford motorsports boss block.

 

[Daggar]

Just wait until summer time and get the new ford motorsports boss block.

:Word: I'm hearing good things about this already. Someone on another forum wrote a small article about one his shop got hands on. They sounded pretty excited about it.

 

[Michael Yount]

DART....

 

[Rick 91GT]

Personally the B50 is not worth the money over a stock block, they have been broken with less then 500hp that is the reason Ford lowered the rating a few years back. Can you get one to take more, sure I made well over 600hp through a stock block, not sure how long it would have lived however.

DART Sportsman is the way to go IMO

My $.02

 

[FORCED2DV8]

Dart is the way to go. Yeah its extra money but treat it ok and youll have it forever. or you can spend 900 every year replacing that broke one.

 

[2000xp8]

Don't spend the money on the block alone, that would not be worth the time, money or hassle.
But buying a ford motorsport sportman 347 is perferctly fine. My buddy runs consistant 11.0's NA on the hyper version, and another went 10.70 NA on the B block with a solid setup.

The 347 hyper version which will handle 500rwhp is only about $2200 which makes it a great value, and the forged is $3000.
People can bash the hypers all they want, but realistically the block breaks before the pistons in most cases so what's the difference?
I have the forged version (not installed yet) but that is based on the fact that the internals which would cost quite a bit, can be swapped over to an R in the future.

So the built sportman shortblock from ford or chp is worth it, but buying the block seperate is a loss of alot of money. Figure to get it to a 347 you need a $800 block and then $1000 in machine work. Then a rotating assembly.

The guy already said the Dart is out of his price range, suggesting he spend 5-6 grand instead of $2500 is a bit ridiculous.
That's like telling a guy that is shopping for a mustang to buy a ferrari, whether he can afford it or not.

 

[Mike92GT]

Personally the B50 is not worth the money over a stock block, they have been broken with less then 500hp that is the reason Ford lowered the rating a few years back. Can you get one to take more, sure I made well over 600hp through a stock block, not sure how long it would have lived however.

DART Sportsman is the way to go IMO

My $.02

Thanks Rick, I was getting ready to PM you to see what your opinion was on this. I think I'm gonna rule out the Ford block for now. If I went with a Dart shortblock, would I need any other parts to make it work, or could I re-use everything I already have? I plan on reusing the oil pan, heads, intake, pushrods, etc. I figured I would have to buy some 1/2" head studs... Anything else?

 

[Mike92GT]

Don't spend the money on the block alone, that would not be worth the time, money or hassle.
But buy a ford motorsport sportman 347 is perferctly fine. My buddy runs consistant 11.0's NA on the hyper version, and another went 10.70 NA on the B block with a solid setup.

The 347 hyper version which will handle 500rwhp is only about $2200 which makes it a great value, and the forged is $3000.
People can bash the hypers all they want, but realistically the block breaks before the pistons in most cases so what's the difference?
I have the forged version (not installed yet) but that is based on the fact that the internals which would cost quite a bit, can be swapped over to an R in the future.

So the built sportman shortblock from ford or chp is worth it, but buying the block seperate is a loss of alot of money. Figure to get it to a 347 you need a $800 block and then $1000 in machine work. Then a rotating assembly.

The guy already said the Dart is out of his price range, suggesting he spend 5-6 grand instead of $2500 is a bit ridiculous.
That's like telling a guy that is shopping for a mustang to buy a ferrari, whether he can afford it or not.

I was looking at the forged version as well. Only catch is that I'm leaning toward staying with a 306. Main reason being that I'm gonna put my S-trim back on the new motor, and was concerned about longevity issues of a blown 347. Also, I'm trying to keep the power level pretty close to the same, otherwise I'm gonna be spending another $1500 for a complete fuel system. I haven't ruled out anything yet. I might be able to swing the extra cash, just means I'm gonna be without my car for a few months longer.

 

[Rick 91GT]

Depends on the 7qt pan you have it may or may not work, pushrods I measure for every motor, between deck heights it may change. Everything else will bolt right up...

 

[2000xp8]

I was looking at the forged version as well. Only catch is that I'm leaning toward staying with a 306. Main reason being that I'm gonna put my S-trim back on the new motor, and was concerned about longevity issues of a blown 347. Also, I'm trying to keep the power level pretty close to the same, otherwise I'm gonna be spending another $1500 for a complete fuel system. I haven't ruled out anything yet. I might be able to swing the extra cash, just means I'm gonna be without my car for a few months longer.

They guy with the hyper version i mentioned drives his all over the place, including from LI to englishtown (over an hour), no oil burning or longevity issues, that's what the hypers are good for. It really runs just like a stock mustang, except alot faster.
Not sure i see the point in using a dart block for a 306, it's alot of money for a block when others can handle it easy.
Maybe for the moment just freshen up your 302 is you are only going to a 306, then you can drive the car and work on your dart block while you drive it, not while it sits so you can save.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

I would not waste the extra money on a Ford Sportsman block. Believe me, it's not worth it for a supercharged motor. That block is basically for a car that makes under 450hp but revs a lot. Like an oval car. My friend bought one right when they came out advertising 600hp. He made about 500hp through a Kuntz shortblock motivated by an S-Trim and it split in about 1000 miles. Engine never detonated. Damage was to the inner main caps and lifter valley. Sounds like the same thing as a short block to me.