DSS ProBullet 331 Long Block, advice opinions???

[JC6715]

Hey guys, time to purchase the heart for my beast... After doing a lot of research I've decided to go with DSS. Just got done speaking with a rep there and got a quote. I don't doubt that they what they're talking about, but wanted to run it past you all.

Here's the skinny-

331 Level 10 CNC block balanced and blueprinted
Billet Main support system with ARP main studs
Pro-X forged pistons -3cc
5.315" forged I-bean rods with ARP bolts
Nodular iron crank 3.25" stroke
Custom ground Comp Cams XE274 (didn't catch what he said something about a 208 circle or something, might have to call back and clarify)
AFR 185's (gotta check to see my octane level out here in OR, he suggested
58cc's if I can find 93 octane for CR of about 10.75 or 60cc's if 91 octance for CR
of 10.4)
Pro Gear 3 position timing chain
430HDSTK Ford Racing Lifters
4130 .080" wall seamless pushrods
ARP bolts throughout
Fel-Pro graphite head gasket
DSS aluminium roller rockers
Quoted roughly 450fwhp

Assembled, minus freight : $5,850

The car is meant to be a bad ass street ride, with some trips to the strip...
Other info: Weiand Stealth intake, holley 750 vac sec carb, race prepped C4, 9" rear with 31spl axles and TrueTrac

Any opinions on this setup, does it look good to go? Any questions I should ask before buying?

Thanks guys, you rock!

 

[gjz30075]

You're going to hear good and bad about DSS here but I bought a 331 long block similar to yours. The only real difference is I went with an XR268HR cam because I was SUPPOSED to get AFR 165 heads. 185 heads came in instead and I was under a severe deadline and they knew it so they went ahead and installed them. I also running with an Air Gap manifold.

My carb is only 600 cfm (Holley), again, based on 165 heads. So........with this combo, I went straight to my engine dyno guy and bottom line is: 376 fwhp and 380 lbs/ft of torque. With the 185 heads I have now, I could easily upgrade the cam and carb and get at the hp you were quoted, I'm sure.

That said, I was pleased overall with their service. We got a nice tour of the shop from the owner and I was really impressed. Clean, efficient and lots of CNC machines. The owner is fastidious about proper oiling in a SBF. They make changes to the oil galleries to make certain the thrust bearings get plenty of oil, as he stressed this is one of the SBF's weak points. He was not happy to see that I went with a stock front sump pan because there simply is enough capacity when you really get on it. (uh oh..) I'll have to look into a higher capacity pan. Maybe I'll overfill a bit for now......

One thing that bothers me is the fact that he stressed using a high volume oil pump with a high volume pickup. Hmm, as I recall the sales guy said a standard pump would be sufficient. I had given them my pan, water pump, timing cover and a few other things to install (while they're at it) so my motor was already buttoned up, sitting on their dock and was ready to be loaded in our truck.

They paperwork you'll get is extensive and very detailed about break-in, type of oil and various other things (like don't run a front sump pan ).

Oh, they even called the dyno shop asking about the numbers it produced. I'm sure this is their way of knowing how to quote hp numbers to customers. Pretty thorough, I think.

Good luck with whomever you choose.

 

[BullittStangV8]

I went with the exact same combo, except the X303 cam, and AFR 185's w. 61 cc. Although I havn't driven a single mile with it, it turned on and ran very well in the garage Everything they assembled looked good and put together well. So far so good.

 

[JC6715]

I went with the exact same combo, except the X303 cam, and AFR 185's w. 61 cc.

I'm quite ignorant when it comes to cams. Do you know what the difference is between the two? Why did you choose that cam?

Thanks!

 

[coolblue65]

I have a DSS 347, AFR 185s, Comp XE274 Cam- so far I am really happy with it, although I have not yet had it on the chasis dyno or at the strip to know really how its running. Although hopefully I will do both in the next few weeks.

You can see tons of pictures and details on my cardomain site (page 2)

 

[red302]

I got my 331 long block from DSS. Went with Edelbrock RPM 2.02" valve heads, and a trick flow cam. Same Lifters and rockers as you have. I did go with a 7 qt. Canton kick out front sump pan, since they told me the horror stories of using the stock oil pan. They quoted me roughly 400 FWHP in the configuration it's in. I have about 400 miles on it since I've finished the car and have had it on the road. I runs great and I'm very happy with it. Although I'm still taking it kind of easy on it till I get a few more miles on it, It feels pretty strong. I picked up the long block and other various parts I got from them at they're facility. They were great to work with, answered all of my questions, and were very helpfull. I've been a tool & die maker for 30 years, and I can tell you that they're shop is top notch.

 

[JC6715]

Anybody have any bad experiences with DSS?

 

[mikethebike]

I have a problem with billet aluminum stud girdles based on the thermal expansion rates of aluminum vs. cast iron....something like 4-1. Why not just use a Dart-II block with splayed 4-bolt mains?

 

[rbohm]

i havent dealt with dss directly, but everyone i know that has, has had a good experience with them. i like the 331 displacement over the 347 as i like the rod/stroke ratio better. i also prefer the shorter stroke. as for the main girdle issue, it is a non issue, rather like aluminum heads on a cast iron block.

 

[JC6715]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I am super stoked (or stroked as it were) about ordering this thing, but every time I get to the total line on the quote I do a little something like this ----> ... I'm sure it will all be worth it the first time I fire her up... Thanks again guys!

 

[SoCalCruising]

Cam change is probably just a change in the LSA. Something like from 112 (stock) to 109-110. That change is more suited to a carb'd motor. It's a pretty common change. Ford EFI doesn't like LSAs less than 112 degrees, or so I've heard.

 

[57fairlane]

The only thing with DSS is it is still a stock block.

Most of you guys with n/a combos aren't really pushing the block so it doesn't matter but if you spray/turbo/supercharge it, the block will blow up like any others.

We had one at the shop (a 331 with an s-trim) that split after 4 months making 530rwhp on plain 93 and went to the track once with 93 and methanol injection (made 598rwhp like that). This was the "pro-bullet" level 20 block.

 

[JC6715]

The only thing with DSS is it is still a stock block.

Yeah, from what I've read the stock block is ok until 500rwhp, I don't plan on going over 500hp, closer to 450hp, maybe... And that 450hp would be on nitrous and that wouldn't happen very often...

 

[BullittStangV8]

I dont think you can really get mad at DSS for that block blowing up. The hp levels that that car was making probably should have been using an aftermarket block (dart, ect.). If your not looking to go over the limits of a stock block, then the level 10/20 blocks should be fine I would think. Big hp/trq numbers need a better block.