[PONTIAC DUDE]

If it gets to the point that you need a girdle to hold things together, then you need to step up to the IA 2 block. Because when you try and locate the stress at one point........... it justs moves to another in an already overtaxed block to begin with.

Plus the difference betwen a billet cap block with a girdle, then add another on at the top, plus all the other things your gonna have to do.............

I just don't see the point and Playing with the Gods and hoping your block will still hold together.

Before the IA block deal this was an viable option. Now???? Someone please explain this topic to me?

[screamingchief]

Someone please explain this topic to me?

Not taking any sides here,but I'll try and explain as I see this:

It's a cost vs. returns thing,not everybody can afford to run out and drop 3-5K+ on switching over to an aftermarket block combo to get an added maesure of strength,but would easily be able to afford say 2-3 hundred bucks for a girdle if it could add some margin of stability to their stock block combos.

And if that helps keep their combos together for a season or two that might allow them to free up the funds to "step up" to those nice aftermarket pieces then.

Were not all made of cash,and some people here have access to equipment and the time to do this for their own use,and thus possibly some others as well.

Now I know some are going to say stuff like "you cant afford to not use an aftermarket block" or "why would you risk it in the first place?",well just remember,some just dont have the option to consider otherwise.

I know if there were a nice girdle available that was affordable,and did'nt need a ton of work to fit,I'd consider purchasing at least one for my race cars 400,and I'm sure plenty of others would too.

There will always be a market in between the "stock" stuff,and the "best" stuff,and that is the target for this type of product.

I mean is it now a waste of time to put good four bolt caps on a stock block too???

And if I showed up at your shop dude,would refuse to do the work because you thought I were foolish for considering to do so?

Alot of folks already have ALOT of $$$ invested into what they're running currently...

Come on now,last thing anyone here needs is more people looking down at them because of their choices,for whatever reasons,and to have something like that come from a well respected voice within the pontiac community as well...

You must be hangin around too many rich folks running those 10.5" tire cars in your neck of the woods or something,you need to take it easy on us poor old pontiac racers just trying to keep 'em together however we can,till we can afford to upgrade.

In time I'm sure you'll see things move in that direction as the masses start moving to those pieces more and more,and the trickle down affect will happen as those with the $$$$ will sell off their "old" stuff for fresh stuff,so it will end up going that way likely,it just is'nt goign to happen overnight thats all,and some are looking for something to help in the interim,thats all!

[RAIV55]

Originally Posted by screamingchief

Not taking any sides here,but I'll try and explain as I see this:

It's a cost vs. returns thing,not everybody can afford to run out and drop 3-5K+ on switching over to an aftermarket block combo to get an added maesure of strength,but would easily be able to afford say 2-3 hundred bucks for a girdle if it could add some margin of stability to their stock block combos.

And if that helps keep their combos together for a season or two that might allow them to free up the funds to "step up" to those nice aftermarket pieces then.

Were not all made of cash,and some people here have access to equipment and the time to do this for their own use,and thus possibly some others as well.

Now I know some are going to say stuff like "you cant afford to not use an aftermarket block" or "why would you risk it in the first place?",well just remember,some just dont have the option to consider otherwise.

I know if there were a nice girdle available that was affordable,and did'nt need a ton of work to fit,I'd consider purchasing at least one for my race cars 400,and I'm sure plenty of others would too.

There will always be a market in between the "stock" stuff,and the "best" stuff,and that is the target for this type of product.

I mean is it now a waste of time to put good four bolt caps on a stock block too???

And if I showed up at your shop dude,would refuse to do the work because you thought I were foolish for considering to do so?

Alot of folks already have ALOT of $$$ invested into what they're running currently...

Come on now,last thing anyone here needs is more people looking down at them because of their choices,for whatever reasons,and to have something like that come from a well respected voice within the pontiac community as well...

You must be hangin around too many rich folks running those 10.5" tire cars in your neck of the woods or something,you need to take it easy on us poor old pontiac racers just trying to keep 'em together however we can,till we can afford to upgrade.

In time I'm sure you'll see things move in that direction as the masses start moving to those pieces more and more,and the trickle down affect will happen as those with the $$$$ will sell off their "old" stuff for fresh stuff,so it will end up going that way likely,it just is'nt goign to happen overnight thats all,and some are looking for something to help in the interim,thats all!

SC has a valid point.

Although I'm in contact with high performance parts everyday and have the luxury of working in a machine shop, if it came down to spending 5k on a short block I wouldn't be racing.

As it is now, if I went through a major blowup, providing the heads and cam wasn't trashed I could be running again, just as strong, for less than $700.

Would I prefer running an after market block.... Definately,

Would I prefer a steel crank.... definately,

Would I prefer steel rods..... DEFINATELY!!!!!!

Until more financially solvent, I'm lucky to be racing.

So for guys like me, the main girdle may provide a way to give my junk a new lease on life.

[Yentl Marmelstein]

Originally Posted by screamingchief

2-3 hundred bucks for a girdle if it could add some margin of stability to their stock block combos.

$300 for a girdle?

On what planet?

I talked to Mike Kopchick at Rage Racing about an aluminum girdle for the AllPontiac.com aluminum block. $1800, just for starters.

On THIS planet, too.

[Yentl Marmelstein]

I know people who had girdles built for BBCs that ran in Top Alcohol. This was before the advent of the KB Olds skirted blocks.

With the between-rounds bearing maintenance, main girdles became a PITA and these folks wised up and switched to the hemi.