Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Are these new? has anybody used them or have any information about them? Would they be good for the typical 500-700 hp street/strip/bracket type build?

From what i can find they are about 30 lbs lighter than a Little m sportsman block. That's nice weight reduction off the front end. They have .230"min@4.165" wall thickness compared to the Little M's .275"min@4.185" and the deck is also thinner at .625" compared to .675".

http://www.jegs.com/p/Dart/1029740/10002/-1/10719

About $500 cheaper than the little m sportsman.

Who is Dart aiming this at?

What are the main caps, nodular or billet? Those are some huge coolant holes in the deck! Reminds me of the deck on a newer BBC

Here's a copy of a post I made on the Chevelle forums a few weeks back:

(Quote) The blocks' bores will be 4.000" and 4.125" (both undersized from Dart), they will use (5) 2.000" cam bearings, have "blind" head bolt holes, .625" thick decks, and be recommended for "Special High Performance" applications.

They will have main caps 1-5 will have 7/16" fasteners with the outer fasteners on the center 3 being 3/8" splayed.

Wet or dry sump options and "priority-main" oiling.

Most all of the SB components will be able to be maintained, oil pump, pan, oil pump drive, timing cover, etc.

Shipping weight approx 175#.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. The part numbers from Dart are DT311-611-11 (4.000") and DT311-612-11 (4.125") and not sure when they will be available. Price should be in the $1450.00 range or thereabouts! (End quote)

I can add they will most likely handle the 600/700 HP numbers with no issues.

As stated above the "recommended" overbore will be 4.165" and it is also recommended to keep the stroke at 3.750". This will all "prove-out" in the real world as they are used!

It will have a provision for a "mechanical" fuel pump! Lifter bores will be sent out at .843"/.844", hopefully!!

The early SB/2 pc. rear-main-seal castings from G.M. are becoming somewhat "scarce" and may be the reason Dart chose this platform!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

The circle track guys will have an alternative to the 3k$+ Little M lightened blocks if these will hold 600+hp reliably.

The center caps are "grade 35" gray iron.

I was at the PRI show this winter and Maskin said they will be good to 600 horsepower.Good for street/strip and mild bracket motors,he was really pushing the blocks.They looked like a real nice piece,nice alternative to a Little M.I love my Little M compared to my Motown,much better piece. Ken

This is there new cheap reproduction block. You can get them with out any logo on them. Well at least engine builders can. I believe they only come nodular. But i know that they can be bored alot bigger then a standard OEM block.

Why is it about $500 cheaper than a Little M sportsman? Where are the savings coming from?

Fatman wrote:Why is it about $500 cheaper than a Little M sportsman? Where are the savings coming from?

ch-ch-chhh-chhhhhina?

can't a standard block handle 600 hp?

dat383 wrote:can't a standard block handle 600 hp?

With billet caps and it passes a sonic test we rate a 010 block at 600 horse!!

looks like a great alternative to the weak stock 400 blocks! no more polishing turds!

That is it sanfordandson. Its a kick ass alternative than any oem block. These are not made in china. There made in Detroit michigan just like the rest of there blocks and heads. Made in the USA like Edelbrokes stuff. Now what the hell is wrong with the rest if the industry if these guys can do it. Oh just wait and see what else is coming.

At a 175lbs I won't be using them for circle track unless the class allows big bore short stroke stuff then maybe with a cnc lighten job. Good block for Drag guys though.

Its 30# or more lighter than a little M.

The 175# is shipping weight and the stock blocks I have are not much less than that.

doesnt a typical 010 350 block weight about 175lbs? especially after you add billet caps?