Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 My 408 engine build has taken a turn as my original block didn't sonic to well with some walls coming in @ .90 . So instead of chasing another original block and wasting more money, I have decided to go aftermarket. So my question is which way to go , the arrow which is more a traditional Cleveland or the dart shp 9.200 which is a hybrid type (clevo/windsor). I already have CHI 208 heads and manifold and sump etc. Anyone with some info would be much appreciated 1 CHESTNUTXE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CHESTNUTXE 7,261 Posted April 17, 2019 TRACK BOSS BLOCK 1 SPArKy_Dave reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 Have you gone this way yourself, if so how much? 1 CHESTNUTXE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPArKy_Dave 8,831 Posted April 17, 2019 Another vote for T.Meyer Track Boss Cleveland engines. He does them in Aluminum or Cast Iron. Engineered for around 2000hp reliably. Cast and Machined in the USA. The Arrow blocks are Australian, but they're cast in China apparently, and I don't like that. 1 CHESTNUTXE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted April 17, 2019 Another vote for T.Meyer Track Boss Cleveland engines. He does them in Aluminum or Cast Iron. Engineered for around 2000hp reliably. Cast and Machined in the USA. The Arrow blocks are Australian, but they're cast in China apparently, and I don't like that. Early pre-production Arrows had air pockets and inclusions in the castings, haven't seen much more since then. I don't know why it's cheaper to go Chinese when we have so much iron here. We used to be the smart country (apparently), but nowdays nobody can be bothered. They just shut down the foundry for Ford, why not keep it open for contracting small jobs like this?With all that's already invested, it would pay to go with a decent block. Dart has the experience and reputation, and bang-for-buck I think can't be beaten. Available in 4.125 bores for easy cubes, work better with big valve heads. More aftermarket gear available for the bottom end, serpentine conversions are easier with reverse rotation water pumps, general factory accessory mounts, etc. Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk 1 CHESTNUTXE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 Chinese, but finished here correct? I don't need anything outrageous, what is the price for these T.Meyer block's ? 1 CHESTNUTXE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 1 minute ago, gerg said: Early pre-production Arrows had air pockets and inclusions in the castings, haven't seen much more since then. I don't know why it's cheaper to go Chinese when we have so much iron here. We used to be the smart country (apparently), but nowdays nobody can be bothered. They just shut down the foundry for Ford, why not keep it open for contracting small jobs like this? With all that's already invested, it would pay to go with a decent block. Dart has the experience and reputation, and bang-for-buck I think can't be beaten. Available in 4.125 bores for easy cubes, work better with big valve heads. More aftermarket gear available for the bottom end, serpentine conversions are easier with reverse rotation water pumps, general factory accessory mounts, etc. Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk Yeah was leaning towards the Dart shp 9.200 block. Can use my heads and I think my CHI single plain with a little fab work. It's just sump and pump I think are Windsor. 3 gerg, AXD408 and CHESTNUTXE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deankxf 20,232 Posted April 17, 2019 @BGDAV any input? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BGDAV 1,871 Posted April 17, 2019 Tmyer is the best after market block out - you get what you pay for I have a 351w Sb 9.5 dart iron eagle - alot of money in it but good quality product alot of stuff needs tweaking to get it right 205 heads would be to small for 408 depending on cam I'd want 225 chi - scm if you have baller money Real talk if I did it all over again id of done a barra turbo bang for buck can't beat it - I've got alot of money into the old clevo does what it needs but costs alot rough cost 5k for the block, machining 1-2k prob adds up very quick if you have big power and need transmission, clutch, rear end etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 33 minutes ago, BGDAV said: Tmyer is the best after market block out - you get what you pay for I have a 351w Sb 9.5 dart iron eagle - alot of money in it but good quality product alot of stuff needs tweaking to get it right 205 heads would be to small for 408 depending on cam I'd want 225 chi - scm if you have baller money Real talk if I did it all over again id of done a barra turbo bang for buck can't beat it - I've got alot of money into the old clevo does what it needs but costs alot This will mainly be a streetcar so a big dollar block is pointless imo , but you're right about needing bigger heads . Especially being able to go to 440 cubes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BGDAV 1,871 Posted April 17, 2019 Can go 454 on my iron eagle block They have different ranges for dart Normal entry level block think handles 1k hp? Iron eagle 1500 Next level is billet All depends on your budget Time.you find a standard good block ud be in it close to a after market block and not be as strong 1 AXD408 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 Just now, BGDAV said: Can go 454 on my iron eagle block They have different ranges for dart Normal entry level block think handles 1k hp? Iron eagle 1500 Next level is billet All depends on your budget Time.you find a standard good block ud be in it close to a after market block and not be as strong This is exactly the reason why I'm opting for an aftermarket block, don't see the point wasting time and $$ on a standard block. Think I'll stick to around 400 cubes but. 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 4 hours ago, gerg said: Early pre-production Arrows had air pockets and inclusions in the castings, haven't seen much more since then. I don't know why it's cheaper to go Chinese when we have so much iron here. We used to be the smart country (apparently), but nowdays nobody can be bothered. They just shut down the foundry for Ford, why not keep it open for contracting small jobs like this? With all that's already invested, it would pay to go with a decent block. Dart has the experience and reputation, and bang-for-buck I think can't be beaten. Available in 4.125 bores for easy cubes, work better with big valve heads. More aftermarket gear available for the bottom end, serpentine conversions are easier with reverse rotation water pumps, general factory accessory mounts, etc. Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk Completely agree about the state (or lack there of) of our manufacturing industry. You would prefer dart over arrow ? Was leaning towards arrow as its basically a Cleveland block that's been updated. 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted April 17, 2019 Completely agree about the state (or lack there of) of our manufacturing industry. You would prefer dart over arrow ? Was leaning towards arrow as its basically a Cleveland block that's been updated. Yeah sounds good being clevo and all that, very appealing but for similar money, you get US cast & machined iron, a proven design, 4.125" bore option and I would say better support if something wasn't right. I too was excited when I heard about Arrow but then when the word "China" popped up, suddenly I no longer had a hard-on over it.I dunno, I'm probably talking shit but that's the way I'd go.Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 Just now, gerg said: Yeah sounds good being clevo and all that, very appealing but for similar money, you get US cast & machined iron, a proven design, 4.125" bore option and I would say better support if something wasn't right. I too was excited when I heard about Arrow but then when the word "China" popped up, suddenly I no longer had a hard-on over it. I dunno, I'm probably talking shit but that's the way I'd go. Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk Pretty sure the dart shp blocks are cheaper. Have just been reading about the some issues with the main cap bolts with the arrow block. 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPArKy_Dave 8,831 Posted April 17, 2019 Precision Parts, are the (or one of the) Australian distributor for Track Boss from memory. I think it's about $3500 for a raw block, with basic machining? There is USD pricing on the T.Meyer Engines website. 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pagey 10 Posted April 17, 2019 5 hours ago, SPArKy_Dave said: Precision Parts, are the (or one of the) Australian distributor for Track Boss from memory. I think it's about $3500 for a raw block, with basic machining? There is USD pricing on the T.Meyer Engines website. Thanks mate , not a bad price. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FORD_MAN 1,026 Posted April 19, 2019 Precision have prices on there site (All prices AUD) Track Boss Iron $4590.45, Which there has only been about 2 cast, Track Boss CGI iron $6885.95 (none yet cast) Track Boss Alloy $11,476.14 (About 15 cast) (& 2 Solid alloy race 9.5" blocks) Dart iron SHP 9.2 $3190 & Iron Eagle $5281.80 Arrow is around $3500 one I'd love is $5734, Ford Racing big bore 460 big block, 4.5" bore, add 4.5" crank, 572ci 2 bear351c and CHESTNUTXE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CHESTNUTXE 7,261 Posted April 19, 2019 yeah i watched a you tube vid on that block very beefy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites