I am currently waiting for my block coming from the states. Looked into getting it done here and after advice from a very well respected member on here, decided to go for a built block from the states. Main reasons being a) the machine shops that will actually do the work here will probably only sleeve a few blocks a year where as the guys in the states are doing a few blocks a week, and more importantly b) the cost of getting a block, crank, darton sleeves, carillo rods, je pistons, acl race bearings, all machine work carried out, all assembly work carried out, shipped from Florida and import tax paid... for me was cheaper than doing the same here. I don't have a total figure for doing it here because I was being quoted well over 2 grand just to have the darton sleeves supplied and fitted and that was me supplying the block myself. The short block from the states with the designer internals and a GE head gasket delivered was about 3400.
I'd heard similar about sinking etc and it was advice from my tuner regarding the machine shops in the states having the experience in sleeving the blocks regularly so they can ensure that the machine work is done to a very high standard and this should eliminate issues like you mention.I know that, I've just heard so much crap about sleeves sinking etc, trying to get feedback from people actually getting sleeves fitted in the UK and actually driving their cars. Most 'builds' on the internet never get finished or driven lol.
Exactly, this isn't guess work with the likes of Mazwox, they sleeve hundreds of blocks a year!!I'd heard similar about sinking etc and it was advice from my tuner regarding the machine shops in the states having the experience in sleeving the blocks regularly so they can ensure that the machine work is done to a very high standard and this should eliminate issues like you mention.
I used to daily drive a darton sleeved 85mm high compression (13.0:1) motor which made 200whp with no issues at all, it was Wazers old motor and the machine work was done by AME Motorsport which I would highly recommend.
Just curious, how many of you have a sleeved block? Seems quite common in the states but finding someone here is harder than I thought. Any horror stories...? This will be 84mm NA not boost btw.
This would be going in a b series metro guys so not your simple bolt in k swap....
Much more work involved for gav to k swap.
Nice, should be nippy in that!