ne1 split a sportsman block yet?

LX XLR8R · 06-26-2003, 01:34 PM

looking into gettting a sportman or if i can get a deal a r302 block..my combo should be in the high 4's at the crank b4 the 300NX shot..i was thinking sportsman with a girdle

what do you guys think?

Dark_5.0 · 06-26-2003, 05:56 PM

Sounds good to me. I seen one get a rod shot through the side but I have never seen one split.

Good plan if you ask me.

302 LX Eric · 06-27-2003, 08:15 AM

I believe that Jeff Chambers had one let go on him if I'm not mistaken. Check out his website where he has write-ups of his past engine combos, what worked, what didn't, etc.

It's a real nice site with lots of good information.

Hope this helps,
E

gofastmercury · 06-29-2003, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 302 LX Eric
I believe that Jeff Chambers had one let go on him if I'm not mistaken. Check out his website where he has write-ups of his past engine combos, what worked, what didn't, etc.

What would be that web site?? Its not Jeffchambers.com

VeNuM · 06-29-2003, 11:23 AM

His site is http://www.kellnet.com/chambers enjoy, ~Brian

speedytang · 06-30-2003, 03:44 AM

Many have failed and the new rating for the HP should now be in effect. Some in Road Race trim have failed with as little as 425hp. I really have not seen anything power wise that the old block could not handle as well as the Sportsman.

Jeff Chambers · 07-01-2003, 07:18 AM

Yep, seen a few of them fail. Haven't seen one split through the lifter valley like you're probably thinking, but I have seen several that have cracked the main webs from the cylinder bore transition up to the cam bearings. We sent a total of four Sportsman blocks back to Ford and they're basic answer was that the block was overrated in terms of HP capacity. They were talking about down rating it to ~450hp from the current 600hp rating. Haven't seen it done though. Personally, you're not talking about all that much more to go with an R block over a Sportsman machined to accept a main support.

Sign me......

Jeff 'once a Sportsman, now an R' Chambers

LX XLR8R · 07-01-2003, 02:03 PM

i was considering the sportsman for the weight and the fact that i would only need that power rating over the r block

jeff did you look at the dart block b4 you bought the R

Jeff Chambers · 07-01-2003, 03:34 PM

Nope, I got the R-block at cost which was about $400 cheaper than list on the Dart.

LX XLR8R · 07-01-2003, 06:30 PM

got a quote for $4600 from Wynne Speed 2day for a Dart block based 347.. 4340 crank and 4340 H beam rods with JE psitons and a custom roller cam..i think that sounds like the best deal so far..i am just sick of wasting $$ on stock blocks

USMC302 · 07-01-2003, 11:29 PM

Jeff,

Out of all the people you come across I wonder if you'll remember just recently at FFW in Houston, you met a good friend of mine and helped him tune his car, Jason Underwood, he has a 93 cobra with a 347......I sure would like to pick your brain or buy you a beer next time you local to Texas, we are all from the same little town of Orange, we have somewhere around 25 mustangs that roll around there that all race. Take care.

Jeff Chambers · 07-02-2003, 06:43 AM

No problem. I usually only make it to the Lonestar state twice a year. Should be down to Ennis for the World Finals in September if all goes well. Look me up there if you make the event.

90GT398 · 07-02-2003, 08:29 PM

Jeff,

what is the problem with the Sportsman, is it the hp or the rpm that is killing these blocks?

And can you clarify one other haunting question: a siamese block on the street having cooling problems?

Jeff Chambers · 07-03-2003, 07:31 AM

No problems with a siamese bore block on the street. Cooling won't be an issue at all, as a matter of fact I'd expect the bores to stay even truer than a non-siamese since the bore walls are thicker and more stable.

With the Sportsman blocks, I think its probably more the RPM than the HP level. I saw three of the blocks crack the #2 main web last season on an SCCA A-sedan motor. This motor was only about 425hp but sees pretty continuous 6200-6500 operation on the road course. It is a nuetral balanced engine with Eagle crank.

06-26-2003, 01:34 PM	#1
LX XLR8R Dirk Diggler Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: SLOATSBURG, NY Posts: 1,931	ne1 split a sportsman block yet? looking into gettting a sportman or if i can get a deal a r302 block..my combo should be in the high 4's at the crank b4 the 300NX shot..i was thinking sportsman with a girdle what do you guys think? __________________ 95 undecided cubes, AFR 185s,undecided cam, undecided intake, and a 150 hit 89 "turbonotch" 2.3T You might want to hold on..i saw this on a cartoon once

06-27-2003, 08:15 AM	#3
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	I believe that Jeff Chambers had one let go on him if I'm not mistaken. Check out his website where he has write-ups of his past engine combos, what worked, what didn't, etc. It's a real nice site with lots of good information. Hope this helps, E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

06-29-2003, 11:23 AM	#5
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	His site is http://www.kellnet.com/chambers enjoy, ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

07-01-2003, 07:18 AM	#7
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Yep, seen a few of them fail. Haven't seen one split through the lifter valley like you're probably thinking, but I have seen several that have cracked the main webs from the cylinder bore transition up to the cam bearings. We sent a total of four Sportsman blocks back to Ford and they're basic answer was that the block was overrated in terms of HP capacity. They were talking about down rating it to ~450hp from the current 600hp rating. Haven't seen it done though. Personally, you're not talking about all that much more to go with an R block over a Sportsman machined to accept a main support. Sign me...... Jeff 'once a Sportsman, now an R' Chambers __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

07-01-2003, 02:03 PM	#8
LX XLR8R Dirk Diggler Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: SLOATSBURG, NY Posts: 1,931	i was considering the sportsman for the weight and the fact that i would only need that power rating over the r block jeff did you look at the dart block b4 you bought the R __________________ 95 undecided cubes, AFR 185s,undecided cam, undecided intake, and a 150 hit 89 "turbonotch" 2.3T You might want to hold on..i saw this on a cartoon once

06-26-2003, 05:56 PM	#2
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Sounds good to me. I seen one get a rod shot through the side but I have never seen one split. Good plan if you ask me. __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

06-30-2003, 03:44 AM	#6
speedytang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Marengo, Ohio.USA Posts: 135	Many have failed and the new rating for the HP should now be in effect. Some in Road Race trim have failed with as little as 425hp. I really have not seen anything power wise that the old block could not handle as well as the Sportsman.

07-01-2003, 03:34 PM	#9
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Nope, I got the R-block at cost which was about $400 cheaper than list on the Dart. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

07-01-2003, 06:30 PM	#10
LX XLR8R Dirk Diggler Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: SLOATSBURG, NY Posts: 1,931	got a quote for $4600 from Wynne Speed 2day for a Dart block based 347.. 4340 crank and 4340 H beam rods with JE psitons and a custom roller cam..i think that sounds like the best deal so far..i am just sick of wasting $$ on stock blocks __________________ 95 undecided cubes, AFR 185s,undecided cam, undecided intake, and a 150 hit 89 "turbonotch" 2.3T You might want to hold on..i saw this on a cartoon once

07-01-2003, 11:29 PM	#11
USMC302 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Gallatin, Tn Posts: 1,326	Jeff, Out of all the people you come across I wonder if you'll remember just recently at FFW in Houston, you met a good friend of mine and helped him tune his car, Jason Underwood, he has a 93 cobra with a 347......I sure would like to pick your brain or buy you a beer next time you local to Texas, we are all from the same little town of Orange, we have somewhere around 25 mustangs that roll around there that all race. Take care. __________________

07-02-2003, 06:43 AM	#12
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	No problem. I usually only make it to the Lonestar state twice a year. Should be down to Ennis for the World Finals in September if all goes well. Look me up there if you make the event. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

07-02-2003, 08:29 PM	#13
90GT398 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 25	quick question for the Street Warrior? Jeff, what is the problem with the Sportsman, is it the hp or the rpm that is killing these blocks? And can you clarify one other haunting question: a siamese block on the street having cooling problems?

07-03-2003, 07:31 AM	#14
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	No problems with a siamese bore block on the street. Cooling won't be an issue at all, as a matter of fact I'd expect the bores to stay even truer than a non-siamese since the bore walls are thicker and more stable. With the Sportsman blocks, I think its probably more the RPM than the HP level. I saw three of the blocks crack the #2 main web last season on an SCCA A-sedan motor. This motor was only about 425hp but sees pretty continuous 6200-6500 operation on the road course. It is a nuetral balanced engine with Eagle crank. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

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