KAAMA--- I just looked at PE's price sheet and Bore and Hone W torque plate is $155. Balance comlete engine without mallory ( heavy metal) is $160.

Tinkerboater and Others,

I spoke with Bill at Performance Engineering just the other day about the price. Plus, I was charged about that much to have my Merlin II blocks bored from 4.250" to 4.500" when I was having mine machined. The reason why it costs so much is because there is a lot of nickle or whatever in the Merlin blocks----they're very HARD! And being that they are very hard, it takes about 3 or 4 passes per cylinder with the cutter to go from 4.250" to 4.500" on the Merlin blocks. That's why it is so expensive! Normaly, one cutter will be good enough for several (I was told about 25 ) standard material GM blocks. Bill told me the cutters are only good for about ONE Merlin block.

Performance Engineering's number is: 616-669-5800

PE charged me $400 to bore my GM pro stock block from 4.25 to 4.50.. Again because of the high nickel content I was told. But I had no choice as these blocks only came with 4.25 bore

Dave F
They charged $150 for a complete balance
This was done approx 2 years ago

Dan

since Kaama has brought the Big M to my attention I figured I'd research it a little more.

From the limited amount of info I could find it seems as though this block is the way to go unless you're goin' ALL OUT. In which case I'll stand by my first post of the Merlin Pro.

Since the info was limited, vs what you can find on a Merlin, I have some questions for the group.

Is this block 100% mark 4 compatible, reinforced, and indexed like the merlins.

Some good things I could find:
Max bore 4.625 with .300 wall at max. vs. .250 for the Merlin ll and even the GM bowtie.
ductile iron caps, vs. the nodular iron on the Merlin ll.
no additional clearance needed up to 4.5 stroke

Some things the info didnt specify:
blind tap head bolt holes
deck thickness, it just said sufficient for all apps. What the heck does that mean?
High nickel content, although I'm sure it does.

One of the big pluses I found is you can get a Big M for $2100 already bored up to 4.6 and ready to assemble.
The best price (so far) for the Merlin Pro I've found is $2525 and you still need to bore and hone to get to 4.6

I thought I had it all figured out!

Now I have to re think the block choice
Thanks Kaama!!!

Dave F,

I know of an engine builder/racer who now uses the Big M block for the JAWS racing team in a 46' Cat. He uses these HUGE blowers on these blocks that make about 1400hp each. He says he feels it's a better block than the Merlin II's. If I build another pair of engines those are the blocks (Big M) that I am going to use.

Anyway, I'm glad you looked into it and it sounds like it may have helped you out some.

kaama,

Yes. With out a doubt, I agree the big M is better than the Merlin 2.
What I didn't realize is that it rivals the Merlin Pro.

I think I may go with the big M providing I dont have to do any special work or parts. It sounds like it may be close to $1000 dollars cheaper when you include the machine work needed, and just as good for my purpose.

Thanks again
DAVE

Dave F,

One other thing that the Big M block has is that the oil passages are a little better (less restriction) than the Merlin II's as well. This was told to me by the JAWS engine builder.

If you have any questions about the Merlin II's vs the BIG M give him a call. He has used both. His name is Dave and he definately KNOWS his stuff and is a very cool guy. 616-662-2250

Big M interesting block

Material: Superior Iron Alloy
Block Height: 9.800" & 10.200"
Bore: 4.250" or 4.500" unfinished
Bore & Stroke: 4.625" x 4.750" max recommended
Main Bearing Size: Std. BBC
Main Caps: All 4-Bolt Steel or Ductile Iron
Weight: 240lb.
Largest Recommended Bore: 4.625"
Camshaft Bearing Diameter: Std. BBC
Camshaft Position: Std. BBC
Cam Drive: Std Timing chain, gear drive, or belt drive
Cylinder Wall Thickness (min): .300" @ 4.625" Bore
Deck Thickness (min): Adequate for all apps
Torque Specs/Main Caps: 1 - 5 1/2" bolts/2 - 4 1/2" splayed
Cubic Inch: 632" max recommended
Fuel Pump: Mechanical Fuel Pump provision
Freeze Plugs: Press-in cup plugs
Oil Filter: Std. oil filter location
Rear Main Seal: Std. 2-piece seal

Siamesed extra-thick cylinder walls resist cracking and improve ring seal (minimum .300" thick with 4.625" bore).
Scalloped outer water jacket walls improve coolant flow around the cylinder barrels to equalize temperatures.
Standard 9.800" and extra-tall 10.200" deck heights available for stroker engines.
Four-bolt main bearing caps in steel or ductile iron have splayed outer bolts for extra strength.
Crankshaft tunnel has clearance for a 4.500" stroke crank with steel rods without grinding.
True "priority main" oil system lubricates the main bearings before the lifters.
Oil filter pad is drilled and tapped for an external oil pump.
Rear four-bolt cap uses standard oil pump and two-piece seal - NO adapter required
Lifter valley head stud bosses prevent blown head gaskets between head bolts.
External block machining reduces weight without sacrificing strength.
Mechanical fuel pump boss, clutch linkage mounts, and side and front motor mounts simplify installation in any chassis
Dual oil pan bolt patterns fit standard and notched oil pans.
Bellhousing flange and rear main bearing are reinforced with ribs to resist cracks

31263344 Big M Cast Iron - Steel Main Caps - 9.800" Deck - Std. Main - 4.250" Bore $1,999
31263354 Big M Cast Iron - Steel Main Caps - 10.200" Deck - Std. Main - 4.250" Bore $1,999
31263444 Big M Cast Iron - Steel Main Caps - 9.800" Deck - Std. Main - 4.500" Bore $2,059
31263454 Big M Cast Iron - Steel Main Caps - 10.200" Deck - Std. Main - 4.500" Bore $2,059

31273344 Big M Cast Iron - Ductile Main Caps - 9.800" Deck - Std. Main - 4.250" Bore $1,769
31273354 Big M Cast Iron - Ductile Main Caps - 10.200" Deck - Std. Main - 4.250" Bore $1,769
31273444 Big M Cast Iron - Ductile Main Caps - 9.800" Deck - Std. Main - 4.500" Bore $1,839
31273454 Big M Cast Iron - Ductile Main Caps - 10.200" Deck - Std. Main - 4.500" Bore $1,839


these prices are from flatlander racing
click here for flatlander