Re-Sleeving an LS7
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Middletown DE
Darton offers high performance sleeving options....To the tune of LSX Block-type strength..... Our buddy from Delaware his his block there as we speak....He's got big plans for that car!!!! 
What happened to yours?
What happened to yours?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
The Darton sleeves referred to above are ductile cast iron vs stock factory sleeves made from gray cast iron. The ductile cast iron has superior strength and ductility and is the only way to go for high HP applications.
http://www.flowserve.com/vgnfiles/Fi...ulletin_a6.pdf
You'll note gray cast iron does not have a yield strength or elongation because of its' lack of ductility...it simply cracks in the presence of impact loads exceeding its' relatively low tensile strength like detonation or high boost in cylinder sleeve applications.
http://www.flowserve.com/vgnfiles/Fi...ulletin_a6.pdf
You'll note gray cast iron does not have a yield strength or elongation because of its' lack of ductility...it simply cracks in the presence of impact loads exceeding its' relatively low tensile strength like detonation or high boost in cylinder sleeve applications.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
if GM gave it to you this way, you'd still be bi@#$then about the price!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 4
I broke the #5 piston and cracked the sleeve at Katech's Track Attack. Is your turbo car broken in yet?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Pa
The turbo car is broken in we had to swap the heads to LS7 heads. There were to many clearance issues with the warhawk heads and the turbo manifolds/plug wires..plug angle was a little different than GM with the warhawks and it caused the spark plugs to almost touch the turbo manifolds
With about 5.5 lbs of boost we made 663rwhp/620rwt. we are now at about 8.5lbs of boost...it is scary fast
The M&H 345/18drag radials can't hold the power at any speed. If it stops raining I'll get it to Ed for the final dyno this week or next. Good luck with the new sleeves
we had to swap the heads to LS7 heads. There were to many clearance issues with the warhawk heads and the turbo manifolds/plug wires..plug angle was a little different than GM with the warhawks and it caused the spark plugs to almost touch the turbo manifolds With about 5.5 lbs of boost we made 663rwhp/620rwt. we are now at about 8.5lbs of boost...it is scary fast The M&H 345/18drag radials can't hold the power at any speed. If it stops raining I'll get it to Ed for the final dyno this week or next. Good luck with the new sleeves
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
The turbo car is broken in we had to swap the heads to LS7 heads. There were to many clearance issues with the warhawk heads and the turbo manifolds/plug wires..plug angle was a little different than GM with the warhawks and it caused the spark plugs to almost touch the turbo manifolds With about 5.5 lbs of boost we made 663rwhp/620rwt. we are now at about 8.5lbs of boost...it is scary fast The M&H 345/18drag radials can't hold the power at any speed. If it stops raining I'll get it to Ed for the final dyno this week or next. Good luck with the new sleeves
we had to swap the heads to LS7 heads. There were to many clearance issues with the warhawk heads and the turbo manifolds/plug wires..plug angle was a little different than GM with the warhawks and it caused the spark plugs to almost touch the turbo manifolds With about 5.5 lbs of boost we made 663rwhp/620rwt. we are now at about 8.5lbs of boost...it is scary fast The M&H 345/18drag radials can't hold the power at any speed. If it stops raining I'll get it to Ed for the final dyno this week or next. Good luck with the new sleeves
that was my next move
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 467
Likes: 47
I was told by Darton that the wet sleeve project is not somthing that works well. Dry sleeving is the best way to get it done.
Wet sleeves worked well on the LS1, which had longer head bolts, that would clamp the cylinder length to the bottom of the block. That was changed for cost reasons later. Wet sleeves leak water into the chamber easily as the clamping force does not properly compress it well.
Wet sleeves worked well on the LS1, which had longer head bolts, that would clamp the cylinder length to the bottom of the block. That was changed for cost reasons later. Wet sleeves leak water into the chamber easily as the clamping force does not properly compress it well.
Last edited by 3R1$C; Jan 7, 2026 at 03:28 PM.
