How much does it cost to build a Dart long block . . .

Yea I'm thinking nitrous would be the easiest and probably cheapest way to go. But turbo certainly would be very interesting as well. I have to see how this engine does with a supercharger and if I am happy then I will try for a turbocharger.

 

Good thing about forced induction is you don't have to run such an agressive camshaft or compression, and there's no bottle to run out.

 

So going with a complete short block from dart should be a safe start for me? I can then add the cam and heads and intake later. I would definitely want to go with EFI, we were thinking about megasquirt. For a turbo setup I would probably want to keep the compression somewhere around 9:1? I think the dart short block assembly is a little higher than that.

 

I used to be for "crate" motors and have seen some good ones come from Ford although most have been of the 514 variety. I have also seen some good ones come from Roush, and the complete motors from Roush come with dyno sheet..................and a Warranty.
Personally, I would build it myself, at least you know exactly what you have and you can make it exactly to fit your needs, like clearances, priority oiling, choose the rods, pistons, rings, exact compression ratio, choose the piston to wall clearance and just know that when you stuff your foot in it it's not going to come through the firewall.
I have always trusted my own judgement along with a good engine builder/machinest, but after some of the stuff I've seen in the past 5 years I wouldn't put my hard earned money on anyones short block or crate motor with the exception of maybe a Roush motor................you just really don't know what you have................IMHO

 

I guess I kind of hope that Dart would hold true to their reputation and make a good short block but I will have to ask around some more and see if they are any good.

 

So, just a question, what kind of reputation does Dart have for building motors? I am asking this because I certainly know of the rep they have for blocks. Again, I am asking this because I really don't know.
Also, what kind of warranty do they have on their motors, as I couldn't find anything mentioned on their website?

 

It's hard to find since some links are not working on their website, but I found this:

It's kinda confusing to me but then again most warranties are written like this 6 months sounds a lot better than the typical 12K mile warranties.

It also doesn't state anything about voiding the warranty if you race it, I've noticed a lot of crate engines have a "Racing Voids the warranty" in their clause.

 

It does mention racing:
"Dart Machinery, Ltd. warrants to the original purchaser its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal and recommended use."
You have to get in writing what that means. Just telling them you are going to drag race the engine is not part of the warranty.

 

I thought racing would fall under normal conditions for Dart items. Like I said it's kinda confusing.

 

Nobody gives a warranty on a "racing" motor, if they do, they are crazy. When I build a race motor, the warranty is over when the silicone is dry.

 

Didn't know if you saw this:
http://www.mustang50magazine.com/techarticles/m5lp_1110_363ci_stroker_build_over_achiever/index.html

 

630HP??? from a 302 block! droooool

 

The machine shop I am having the 408 refreshened/rebuilt at will give me a warranty if I break the motor in on the engine dyno, and he assembles it. To have him assemble it and break it in on the dyno is about $1800 which I think is a pretty good deal since this motor is a drag strip only motor. I don't this this guy is stupid because he has been in business for some 30+ years and had some of his engines and heads featured in major magazines.
Personally...............to have a race motor broken in/tuned on a dyno these days is pretty much manditory anyway if you want to find issues before you put it in the car and head to the track. IMHO

 

Do you think it has something to do with the fact that he knows you and is not just shipping engines out in crates to unknown areas of the US? I would think that if both the purchaser and builder have a vested interest in the life of a race engine, then both will work together to treat it right. He knows that you will do your best to keep the parts on the inside of the oil pan, and he will do his best to build the best engine he can.

 

Rusty,

I just met this guy 2 months ago and was given his name by another drag racer, but after doing due diligence with a few people that had motors built by Bob Gromm I felt comfortable enough to sit down and talk about what I wanted.
He seems pretty straight forward and again he must be doing something right to have survived all of these years building motors and modifiying heads, plus he has one of the newer flow benches and obviously knows how to use it.
So yes, I was very practicle about what I wanted, and certainly didn't ask for the moon, but then again I was a walk-in customer. IMHO