Vortech update/ Good news and bad

[eillob]

Well I finally got the vortech supercharger on. Got it fired up and it ran rough kinda like I expected because the chip needed to be recalibrated.

I took it in to get it tuned, first pull the car made 368 rwhp. The second pull it made 376rwhp. Now for the bad news. Towards the end of the second pull the motor started knocking. The shop thats doing the work thinks that it spun a bearing. Won't know for sure till later this week when they take the motor apart but either way its bad whatever it was.

Im a little baffled myself we were only set up with 8lbs of boost. I guess that 108,XXX mile motor had enough. Looks like im gonna be getting that short block sooner than I thought.

Anybody know where I can find a deal. Currently looking at DSS or CHP.

[silverstangs]

Originally Posted by eillob

Well I finally got the vortech supercharger on. Got it fired up and it ran rough kinda like I expected because the chip needed to be recalibrated.

I took it in to get it tuned, first pull the car made 368 rwhp. The second pull it made 376rwhp. Now for the bad news. Towards the end of the second pull the motor started knocking. The shop thats doing the work thinks that it spun a bearing. Won't know for sure till later this week when they take the motor apart but either way its bad whatever it was.

Im a little baffled myself we were only set up with 8lbs of boost. I guess that 108,XXX mile motor had enough. Looks like im gonna be getting that short block sooner than I thought.

Anybody know where I can find a deal. Currently looking at DSS or CHP.

Sorry about your whoa's.......I'm getting ready for my CHP soon.

[351wStang]

I've heard from people on this site and others that they have been dissapointed with the quality of DSS. How much power are you trying to make? You may be better off buying some pistons and rods and turning your crank. Thats what I did with my 351, but the 351 stuff is a little more heavy duty. Can you budget a sportsman block with a forged rotating assembly or do you want an assembled short block ready to throw a set of heads on? DSS may be fine. Afterall they are still in bussiness. Maybe those who told me they where not happy with the product where used to something of a little higher quality. Kind of like comparing Keith Black or TRW to Mahle or Diamond. Good luck whatever you end up doing. What are your mods to date? I'm sure you knew this day would come sooner or later. What blower did you end up buying?

[SkylineUSA]

I am building my engine from a 69' 351W, because I am cheap bastard, political correct term (frugal)

If I was going to go with either of the two companys mentioned, it would have to be CHS.

[Indycarlover]

Wow, sorry to hear about that...
Good luck/skill with the upcoming rebuild!

[SVTcobra306]

Haven't bought yet, but I inquired once and got very good customer service from DSS. Have heard some horror stories about CHP, like getting 7 30 over pistons and one 40 over.... and a nightmare trying to rectify the situation.

Their shortblock complete assemblies have a solid rep, though.

[351wStang]

The only thing that I dont really like about the two companies short blocks is that they are basically reworked stock peices. If I'm gonna spend the cash for an aftermarket block and rotating assembly I want it to be stout. The strongest part I see at the DSS site are the pistons.

[eillob]

Originally Posted by 351wStang

I've heard from people on this site and others that they have been dissapointed with the quality of DSS. How much power are you trying to make? You may be better off buying some pistons and rods and turning your crank. Thats what I did with my 351, but the 351 stuff is a little more heavy duty. Can you budget a sportsman block with a forged rotating assembly or do you want an assembled short block ready to throw a set of heads on? DSS may be fine. Afterall they are still in bussiness. Maybe those who told me they where not happy with the product where used to something of a little higher quality. Kind of like comparing Keith Black or TRW to Mahle or Diamond. Good luck whatever you end up doing. What are your mods to date? I'm sure you knew this day would come sooner or later. What blower did you end up buying?

Well the shop that has my car pulled the motor and broke it down. It wasn't the bearings like they first thought. Somehow a small washer made it into the combustion chamber. So the noise they heard while it was on the dyno was the piston slamming it into the head. The only thing I can think of is maybe it fell in there while I was replaceing the injectors. Im usually very careful about that kind of thing and I always make sure I cover the lower intake while I work but I guess I screwed up this time. After getting the call I went out there after work. Other than a few nicks in the head and the top of the piston there was no other damage. Im having them go through the motor to look over everything but so far everthing else looks good.
The mechanic is actually impressed at the minimal wear in the block, guess that synthetic oil has been doing its job.


So far my mods are :
Long tube BBK headers, msd 6AL, msd boost retard, windsor jr heads, 1.7 roller rockers, 36lb injectors, T-rex fuel pump, 190lgh intank, Cobra intake,70mm throttle body, Vortech V-1 S-trim, SCT chip, A9L conversion, 3.73 gears, upper and lower control arms, aluminum drive shaft, CGS subframe connectors.

I too have been hearing not so good things about DSS, I always thought that they were one of the better engine builders out there. I know there definately one of the most expensive. I'd like to put a 331 Pro bullet long block with a set of 185 AFR's up top and make a reliable 500hp at the flywheel. I just can't afford it right now. I think we are just gonna over haul mine for now. Either that or just stick in a stock short block with a B-21 cam. Were still working out the numbers so I'll know for sure tommorrow.