myshifter

heres a visual for ya, look at how the main webbing right under the caps necks down on latemodel blocks, where as it doesnt on the mex block. Where do production latemodel blocks start cracking? Main webbing



[IMG]local://upfiles/37042/1AB16D5CB1024718A51C3C22ACF59727.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/37042/ABB118CFF90A487F9FE7900D51A45E8C.jpg[/IMG]

ScatStroker

You haven't really defined what you need from the block - There is a huge difference between a Mexican block and a DART block.

First, if you plan on using a Mexican block you'll need to convert your valvetrain to a link bar (~$450) or small base circle in order to use it, they're not roller blocks. Second, while they have thicker webbing and caps than a stock 5.0 they still break, that's just the bottom line.

Ford Sportsman blocks are a waste of $850 IMO. They're marginally better than a stock block but a far cry from a race block. So many broke that they re-rated them to 450hp. Comparable to a Mexican block for strength but not worth the expense in my opinion. "Level 20" blocks or whatever you want to name and machine a stock block is still exactly that - a stock block. You can machine (read: remove material) as much as you want but it'll break down the mains just the same as a stock block - you'll be stuck with 2 pieces and a lot lighter wallet.

R302, A4 and Boss blocks are when you start dealing with a decent block. Boss blocks are the weakest of the three but able to take more than what most 5.0 guys are making, they're a 4 bolt cap and have taken a lot of power reliably. The A4 is the original 302 race block and is a strong piece but out of production, the R302 is the newer version, siamese bore and the strongest of the three.

DART and World blocks are aftermarket race blocks. DART Sportsman blocks will take a hyd. roller valetrain without modification and are usually the best fit for someone converting from a stock block to a race piece. DART Iron Eagle's are slightly stronger but involve more headaches to make them work with a 5.0 based engine (valvetrain, oil pan) but are still a fairly straight forward swap and easily built. World's Man O War is similar to the DART Iron Eagle but heavier - our personal preference is the DART but the World is a strong block as well.

If you have specific questions I'd be happy to answer them but the bottom line is that a mexican block is *marginally* better than a standard 302 block and if you're really looking to make power unreliable at 600+hp, IMO.

$.02

Brian

nacanitihs

the name mexican block just sounds like the block is half assed. around here when we say something is mexican its because its all ghetto'd up. lol