Are the new 03 blocks stronger than the 99-02s? Ive heard the answer go both ways.....The 03s are supposed to have extra webbing. Thanks

 

I heard that the main webbing on the 03 blocks is stronger than the 99-02 blocks

 

Oh, sorry to hijack your thread, but what psi did you achieve those #s at? Very impressive!

 

Pete, I remember a post months ago on this topic an one of our L brothers submitted a Ford factory invoice that showed Ford was spending $500 to $600 more on the '03 block than in previous years. That certainly would suggest an enhancement in quality.

I have friends in the dye and mold business and typically the Big Three only take major price increases in the case of a new design or quality standard being changed (not for the same part year over year).

D-Day

 

But the cylinder walls are thinner. Still makes for a weak, flexible block for high horsepower applications.

 

I haven't seen any evidence the 03 block is stronger, except 'word of mouth'. Granatelli claimed 1600hp with his last engine in the summit sponsored Pro 5.0 mustang, and thats with a pre 03 block.

 

21#s

 

Has anyone physically seen a bare 03 block and miked it to a 99-02...the 03 blocks list for over 700 bucks, much more expensive than the 99-02s. I have 2 02 blocks allready, but I would like to see the verifiable differences with the 03's. If the cylinder walls are indeed thinner it would mean more flex in high hp applications and it would become more dangerous to run high hp at 20 over and up...

 

I've seen both blocks side by side. The 03 is a beefier block weighing about 70lbs more. I believe all of the failures we've seen have been unrelated to block strenghth, so I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money and weight.

 

Personally I don't see why everyone is getting caught up in different blocks. I've yet to see any failure issues related to block structure. The 5.4 block is a good piece, with long wall skirts and cross bolted mains. I am running a 99 block on my new motor, just because it's a spare I had, and have no desire to use any other year.

 

70 pounds heavier?? That would make it about twice as heavy as the '01/'02 block? Is this correct??

If so, us pre-'03 owners are probably better sticking with the old blocks seeing as how we haven't seen many failures associated with it.

Randy

 

The block has to be more than 70 lbs .. . right? I thought they weight a couple hundred.

 

yeah, if my '03 block weighs 140 lbs I'll eat my shorts.

 

I was able to pick my '01 block up a few inches off the ground with my horrible lower back. I didn't think it weighed that much!

I could be wrong though, or maybe those protein shakes were kickin' in...

 

promodlightning,


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