Sportsman vs. Stock

they say the stock block is good for 400-500whp, The mexican block has more material on the mains and thicker on various areas of the block i belive than the sportsman, people say sportsman is only about maybe can potentially hold 100 more whp safely then a stock block and that the mexican block is stronger. But i think i remember reading of cases where people have still cracked the sportsmen block right down the lifter valley. I know on the turbomustangs forum they have a great discussion on this with pics of the blocks and everything
 
I know of a couple that have cracked. IMO the sportman is a waist of time and money for the simple reason it doesn't offer enough extra over a stock block to justify the cost of it. If you serious enough to need a better block than a stock one then I would save my pennys a little longer and go straight for a Dart or R302 IMO. There is a reason Ford Motorsports keeps decreasing the power rating on these B blocks. they now say there good for 450 Hp.. I think it use to be 600 :) http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=5031
I like the last line: Although I think there worth more than 450 :D
Extensive dynamometer and in vehicle testing has confirmed that this block should not be used for engines exceeding 450 HP @ 6000 RPM
 
1994Vib.RedGT said:
where can you get one of these "mexican blocks", how much do they run?

I heard a rumor a couple years ago that D&D motorsports went down and bought a bunch.. Not sure how true it is though and if they would still have any? But again IMO I would use your stock block with a girdle and ARP studs before I spent any amount of money on one of these.
 
the sportsman have four bolt mains on the center 3 caps. while the outer 2 are still 2 bolt mains.

the mexican block as stated above have thicker main caps. side by side to a regular 2bolt main. the mexican has some beefy main caps. and also thicker walls in certian areas.

but if you could ever see a complete dart or R302 short block. you ill want to mount the engine stall. cause all of my pennys are going to a R block my friends
 
donkey_punch said:
the sportsman have four bolt mains on the center 3 caps. while the outer 2 are still 2 bolt mains.

No it doesn't. The motorsports B50 sportsman is 2 bolt mains all 5 caps. I think your confusing B50 sportman with the Dart sportsman which is 4 bolt on the inner 3 like the R block.. But the sportsman block from Ford is 2 bolt like state in the link I posted above and as you can see in the picture on the link.