So with COVID continuing to cause chaos in supply chains everywhere - I find myself in a conundrum and was wondering what the people on here may think.
I'm in the process of building a factory five roadster and was planning a 427W SBF build based on the Dart SHP iron block. It seems more and more likely that a Dart block is going to be hard to come by anytime soon (mine has been on back order since February). In response, my engine builder offered to build the engine, same specs otherwise, with a Ford Racing BOSS 427 short block instead which is immediately available.
The goals for the build are about 500 HP (that is the target anyways) with the expectation that the car will be tracked at a few times a year so I want the engine to be solid enough so I can push it pretty hard without worrying about blowing it up.
The question is - any opinions on Dart SHP v. BOSS blocks? Would I be setting myself up for future heartbreak if I forego the Dart and proceed with the BOSS? Does it even matter at the HP levels I'm planning to make?
Just bumping this so it's not missed.
Not much help on Ford engines, but I question the desire to go with a built engine over a crate Coyote for reliability purposes and the higher rpm kick in the rev range you want it for track driving.
After building my SBC race motor, wish I would have just bought a crate motor in the first place then bolted a cam/intake/exhaust/tune in if I wanted a touch more power.
In reply to Olemiss540 :
After doing the math, we did a crate engine on our Corvette as well.
The Ford BOSS block seems to be a pretty good block. For your power level it should hold up no problem.
As for the Coyote, not everyone who wants the FF Roadster wants the newer engine, some like the traditional look.
Olemiss540 said:
Not much help on Ford engines, but I question the desire to go with a built engine over a crate Coyote for reliability purposes and the higher rpm kick in the rev range you want it for track driving.
After building my SBC race motor, wish I would have just bought a crate motor in the first place then bolted a cam/intake/exhaust/tune in if I wanted a touch more power.
In reply to Olemiss540 :
After doing the math, we did a crate engine on our Corvette as well.
I'm about to deal with a similiar issue. Getting time to re-power the farmtruck (91 C1500 Silverado) not really interested in an LS swap, but want to go 383 in place of the TBI 350. Doing the math on building a 383 or just buying a crate 383. Once machine shop costs are factored in to prep whatever block i use (I have a Mexican-built 350 longblock in my garage) and buying decent heads, a stroker rotating assembly (Crank, rods and piston kits are about $800 to $1200 on Summit's website) and a valvetrain (would like a hydro roller camshaft) i'm pretty sure crate with all of that will wind up cheaper. With the crate engine I won't get the experience of assembling it myself, but that may be a good thing (one less thing for me to screw up). I may keep the TBI (upgrade to a 454SS unit for the extra CFM) but that's another post
Olemiss540 said:
Not much help on Ford engines, but I question the desire to go with a built engine over a crate Coyote for reliability purposes and the higher rpm kick in the rev range you want it for track driving.
After building my SBC race motor, wish I would have just bought a crate motor in the first place then bolted a cam/intake/exhaust/tune in if I wanted a touch more power.
I did mull over the engine decision for some time - the useability/power/high rev of the Coyote is very tempting but in the end I wanted an old school build. Track days are important but the overall feel still took primary consideration as the highest it will ever go is possibly a Time trial - but most likely just HPDE against myself.
My biggest concern is reliability within the frame of reference - thus the block question.
81cpcamaro said:
The Ford BOSS block seems to be a pretty good block. For your power level it should hold up no problem.
As for the Coyote, not everyone who wants the FF Roadster wants the newer engine, some like the traditional look.
That's encouraging to hear. I have accepted that if I did swap out the Dart for the BOSS I'd probably be taking a bit of a "strength hit" but in the end - the big question (in my mind anyways) is whether I'm putting myself at risk for catastrophic failure by doing so by making the change. If I'm in the Green zone regardless of which block I choose - then the Dart starts to become more of a luxury than a requirement, and I can start to worry more about the timeline consideration.
06HHR (Forum Supporter) said:
Olemiss540 said:
Not much help on Ford engines, but I question the desire to go with a built engine over a crate Coyote for reliability purposes and the higher rpm kick in the rev range you want it for track driving.
After building my SBC race motor, wish I would have just bought a crate motor in the first place then bolted a cam/intake/exhaust/tune in if I wanted a touch more power.
In reply to Olemiss540 :
After doing the math, we did a crate engine on our Corvette as well.
I'm about to deal with a similiar issue. Getting time to re-power the farmtruck (91 C1500 Silverado) not really interested in an LS swap, but want to go 383 in place of the TBI 350. Doing the math on building a 383 or just buying a crate 383. Once machine shop costs are factored in to prep whatever block i use (I have a Mexican-built 350 longblock in my garage) and buying decent heads, a stroker rotating assembly (Crank, rods and piston kits are about $800 to $1200 on Summit's website) and a valvetrain (would like a hydro roller camshaft) i'm pretty sure crate with all of that will wind up cheaper. With the crate engine I won't get the experience of assembling it myself, but that may be a good thing (one less thing for me to screw up). I may keep the TBI (upgrade to a 454SS unit for the extra CFM) but that's another post
Hah - I build a SBC 350 a few years back and certainly enjoyed the experience. That one was for a '65 C-10 so the work load is a bit less intense. I'm planning on having this one built professionally since I'll be giving it a bit more of a kick in the ass.
One other consideration - I had read that the BOSS blocks have shorter cylinders and those can be potentially troublesome. Since the 427 would be a stroker I wasn't sure if that would reflect negatively as well.
The BOSS 427 short block is, as the name implies, a complete short block assembly based on the BOSS 351 block with a 427 stroker rotating assembly. It's the same short block that Ford uses in their 575HP crate engine. It should be fine for your 500HP target.
APEowner said:
The BOSS 427 short block is, as the name implies, a complete short block assembly based on the BOSS 351 block with a 427 stroker rotating assembly. It's the same short block that Ford uses in their 575HP crate engine. It should be fine for your 500HP target.
That is reassuring. Thanks.
