[Outlaw440]

I remember there was an old thread here where someone asked about the hp limit of the 8.2" deck block and the answer was 1500+

So..my logic thinking was that since the stock 351 production blocks were stronger than the production 302s from ford, maybe the DART 9.5" deck motors are stronger than the 8.2" ?

If so what are the power limits?

What is the best iron block to use? And is the Aluminum block just as strong?

For what it's worth the intended application is a 440 (4.135" bore, 4.1" stroke) with twin turbos, or maybe go with slightly more cubic inches if i feel confident with it.

Any help is greatly appreciated. When it was time for me to consider an engine block DART was my first choice.

[kevin@dart]

The cast aluminum block is NOT as strong as cast iron. Typically we say around 900 or so max limit although some builders have made more. The next step in an aluminum block to handle big power would be our billet block.

Our 9.5 deck blocks are limited to the 1500 - 1600 range. If the horsepower goal is more than that we like to go to a Compacted Graphite block which will gain around 30% in strength.

The best Iron block would be our Iron Eagle Compacted Graphite with billet caps.

[Awesome Bill]

I second that for sure! The windsor block is much stronger than the 302, I have a customer that is making 1300 hp with a 302 race series block with Eagle crank and rods! I hold my breath every time he runs.

[ken]

Kevin,

I'm building a street/open road racing twin turbo motor for a Pantera using a 9.2 deck aluminum Dart block (PN 31345195). I'm looking for about 800 FWHP and 7,500 red line. The turbos should make a lot of torque at moderate RPM. Am I stressing the block more or less because I have more torque but at lower RPM, compared to an 8,000 redline normally aspirated motor making similar peak HP?

Ken

[Awesome Bill]

Originally Posted by ken

Kevin,

I'm building a street/open road racing twin turbo motor for a Pantera using a 9.2 deck aluminum Dart block (PN 31345195). I'm looking for about 800 FWHP and 7,500 red line. The turbos should make a lot of torque at moderate RPM. Am I stressing the block more or less because I have more torque but at lower RPM, compared to an 8,000 redline normally aspirated motor making similar peak HP?

Ken

Ken, you'll never hurt a thing with this type of racing, the stress on the block in rolling racing is near to none compared to drag racing where the weight is not moving and tremendous pressure are created to get the inertia moving with a lot of torque. In your application, the auto is moving and your just in and out of the throttle. Never stopped with a drag slick and just popping the clutch! you could almost get by with a stock block well prepped with splayed caps. I built one of these blocks for a road course guy and he has been running very well for 2 years now but only making 500hp.

The aluminum block will handle your power with no problems @ all if you get the assembly right and balanced o.k. Let me know if I can help.