Who is running a DSS block?

I

inphiniti

Active Member
Mar 15, 2003
412
3
28
Providence, RI
#1
ive been lookin into a new block for the car, with the HCI set up ill be running... im lookin at the base production Small Block 331... whats everyone elses feelings on the happiness of their blocks? what kind of numbers are you seeing? i will be orderin the Main Support so in the feature, if i plan to run a blower i can... anyone doin so already on this basic block? hows it runnin?

i must say, with just their emails and quick responses, very VERY professional and already i l ike that...

ill be running a Edlebrock performer upper/lower, custom grind cam ready for a S/C, and a set of TFS heads, 75mm tb and MAF... all coming off a friends car who was doin about 310 to the wheels on a 302...

any help is apperciated as always fellas! :nice:
to the few ive already spoke with, thank you very much!
 

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#4
From my understanding, they're still a factory block, so they're still susceptible to the same breakage as your everyday run of the mill roller 302 block. I'm not sure what the difference is between their levels, other than some machine work and possibly a main support. The main support won't do much, other than keep the halves together if the block splits in two.
 
#5
Ive run several of their shortblocks and I run one currently. They made good power and seemed to be fairly durable (i ran them N/A). I can also say they have always provided excellent customer service before and after the sale(s).
 
#8
I run just the regular stroke block (306). I am happy with it. Great oil press and everything.

I dont really buy the whole "stronger" thing but do like the CNC'd aspect if not for the ability of quality that can be had.

I have pics on my cardomain page so click the link below if you want some pics of mine.
 
#9
StangGT1995 said:
From my understanding, they're still a factory block, so they're still susceptible to the same breakage as your everyday run of the mill roller 302 block. I'm not sure what the difference is between their levels, other than some machine work and possibly a main support. The main support won't do much, other than keep the halves together if the block splits in two.
Click to expand...

This is true. I don't think you can really go wrong with either CHP or DSS. I'd go CHP myself just because I've read Mark O'Neal's posts and with exception of his being a stinking liberal, he's super knowledgeable and polite.

Adam
 
#10
I feel the same about the oem block and how DSS embellishes it with
the Marketing Hype.

A stock block is a stock block :Word:
or
A pig is still a pig ... even if you clean it up
and
Put some ear rings on it

While I don't like their hype :nono:

I do want to make it clear, I have no experience with the company
and they may very well make a good product and give great
customer service as was said above.

I just feel I'm not naive enough to be swayed by those adds ;)

If I was gonna do a 347 ... I'd get it from Mark :)

Grady
 
#11
final5-0 said:
I feel the same about the oem block and how DSS embellishes it with
the Marketing Hype.

A stock block is a stock block :Word:
or
A pig is still a pig ... even if you clean it up
and
Put some ear rings on it

While I don't like their hype :nono:

I do want to make it clear, I have no experience with the company
and they may very well make a good product and give great
customer service as was said above.

I just feel I'm not naive enough to be swayed by those adds ;)

If I was gonna do a 347 ... I'd get it from Mark :)

Grady
Click to expand...


so more or less, what a few of you fellas are sayin is... doesnt matter HOW many 331s they sell(Base, Pro, Super Pro, etc etc) in a round about way theyre all the same?

Signed,
Confused in Rhode island :nice:
 
#12
inphiniti said:
so more or less, what a few of you fellas are sayin is... doesnt matter HOW many 331s they sell(Base, Pro, Super Pro, etc etc) in a round about way theyre all the same?

Signed,
Confused in Rhode island :nice:
Click to expand...

I'll be happy to give you my take on a Stroker built from an OEM block

Most agree around 450 rwhp ... It is just about at its safe limit
and
I'd like to focus on that limit with my examples given
and
It looks like you are talking about a Street application

To my way of thinking :)
A 347 OEM block with a NA application makes a lot of sense as you get
good value and will be well within the blocks limit

Now ... The same can't be said when you go forced induction :nono:

The deal here is ... You start this application at around 350 rwhp
and then
When you add in the power adder you exceed the blocks limit

You end up with a bad investment of money as I see it
and
Girdles, Supports, or Harness thingies .......
Don't address the prob of asking more than it can give :Word:

No need to be confused as I see it :shrug:

If you want to play with the big boys who make >450 rwhp
and do it without worry of it grenading ... you just gotta dig
deep and do up a block that has higher limits.

If you don't wanna pay out the Wazoo going forced :nono:

Blow off the Stroker thing
and
Do up a nice OEM block and stay within the 450 rwhp limit

I mean ... ain't 450 to the wheels enough for a Week End Toy ;)

Grady
 
#14
No. Not unless they're using an aftermarket block anyway. Some of their shortblocks do come based on an aftermarket block, but they also come with a price that reflects it. All they use is a seasoned factory block. I do have a question for ya though. Ever considered a 351 based engine? The cost differences aren't that much, but you get a stronger block. You'll need a 351 distributor and lower intake, but everything else will bolt right up. If you're doing a new engine, more is better, IMO. Probably next year, I'll be building a 351 based stroker. Just need a new job to come through, but I need to get in shape a little first (need to add some muscle).
 
#15
ive thought 351, but im just in between that rock and the hard place right now(sort of like the simpsons movie LOL)

i dont know which way to go... its like i wanna stay NA but i have that DOWN THE LINE factor in the back of my head sayin go blower go blower... 351 has been a thought of, but i know some of the parts are REALLY expensive... i know the headers are like $1000, well atleast one set...

also a 351 wouldnt be able to use 5.0 HCI correct? another reason which was leading me towards getting a 331 is that a buddy of mien is giving me a REALLY good deal on some real good products off his car which, i can say, have given him some #s that i like...
 
#16
You can get 351 swap headers for roughly the same price as 302 headers, if you go the shorty route. I'm pretty sure BBK sells a set. You can use a 302 HCI on a 351, you just need a 351 lower intake and the 302 heads need the bolt holes drilled out to 1/2" instead of 7/16" like the 302. The roller cam can be expensive on a 351 if you don't use a roller block because converting one you either need to need to use a small base circle cam and possibly make less power, go flat tappet, or pick up the link-bar hydraulic lifters which tend to run in the $450 range. If you use drop mounts, you can even fit it under a factory hood. Saleen did it with the S351...

Edit: Moved to tech.
 
#19
inphiniti said:
man.... all great points... this is REALLY a hard decision when goin head first into a motor build up huh?
Click to expand...

Honestly ... I've never seen the logic in doing a full effort NA combo and
have it blown all at the same time :crazy:

Of course ... I'm still talking about a Street application OEM block :)

You gotta consider the entire car with a power plant that makes power
at that limit ... even if you play it safe and keep it under 450 rwhp ;)

I mean ........
The tranny, rear end, chassis, etc has gotta be made to handle the
additional horse power ... or ... you're gonna be breaking stuff if
you're not real careful :bang:

I have always seen good points in both NA and Blown :D

As for NA and oem 302 block you usually got about 1 rwhp for each ci
and
A bit more with a 347

Either of those can be very streetable with a sharp tune btw

Of course ... going blown you got more hp potential :nice:
and
You can do a whole lot with the oem 302 block

I kind like the idea of keeping it simple like .......

Find some kind of Aluminum heads to save weight and have a thicker
deck that won't lift or flex like the thin iron oem heads.

Then just go Centri or KB with sensible supporting mods and
you will end up with more ponies than the NA route :)

The down side of blown is ... its a bit more finicky on a day to day
basis but hey ... you just gotta expect that ;)

Then again
A full tilt 347 at 375-400 rwhp would be fun as well :banana:

Decisions ... Decisions ... Decisions :rlaugh:

Anyway ... Good Luck! ... Which ever way you go :nice:

Grady
 
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