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Old 09-06-2020, 03:23 AM   #1
CallMeF
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Default Used built block experience

Hello everyone,

I want to ask what experience people have had buying a used built block? IAG/Outfront/revworks etc.
Did you regret it, was is a good choice?
What did you learn?

I am looking to buy a brand new IAG 2.5 closed deck. A warranty is priceless, but I want to explore the topic of used blocks. So I thought I would ask for others experiences.

Please note that I am asking for others experiences not opinions.

Thank you.
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Old 09-06-2020, 04:06 PM   #2
subaru_gc8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CallMeF View Post
Hello everyone,

I want to ask what experience people have had buying a used built block? IAG/Outfront/revworks etc.
Did you regret it, was is a good choice?
What did you learn?

I am looking to buy a brand new IAG 2.5 closed deck. A warranty is priceless, but I want to explore the topic of used blocks. So I thought I would ask for others experiences.

Please note that I am asking for others experiences not opinions.

Thank you.
when buying used you are always inheriting someone elses problems. so more so when something is abused like a forged block
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Old 09-10-2020, 12:16 AM   #3
AliBenn
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OP
There are many ***8216;outs' of Any warranty
I'm reading unless ***8216;they' install block AND you buy all other engine parts from them you might have a case
This would only be for the $4k block As well

It's an expensive sport, an implied/advertised ***8216;warranty' on a race car motor doesn't really apply. Too many variables that affect the engine failure can be attributed, rendering warranty useless
"Your machine shop milled heads wrong"
"Your tuner didn't account for....."
"You had incorrect coolant in the car"
"Your plugs too hot"
I could go on and on......warranty company will find a reason not to pay
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Old 09-10-2020, 09:04 AM   #4
Scuby04STi
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Used blocks of any type are simply hit or miss, I have helped deal with a handfull or two, most where stock blocks and most of those where not great but worked for long enough to have been a good choice.

As for used "built blocks" stay away!!! Half of the ones I have touched had lesser quality parts then advertised and/or needed machine work done. I remember one that was clearly put together with left over parts, it was a nightmare!!!

Also as mentioned a warranty on something like a engine is pretty easily denied, personally I always go to a local builder that IS THE MACHINE SHOP!!!! They seem to work out the best IMO, plud I just like knowing they have a window I can throw the block into if there is an issue
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Old 09-10-2020, 09:19 AM   #5
BlackFighter
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I would stay away from used built blocks. There is a reason people are selling them.

And every time someone talked about the IAG warranty, I keep remembering the part in Tommy Boy the movie where he's selling his brake pads and the new customer does't want to buy them because there is no warranty on the box, but then Tommy convinces the owner to buy the brake pads by saying "Warranty is like a crazy old tooth fairy, at one point he's in your house putting dollar under your pillow in the middle of the night, and then you wake up with money missing from your wallet and your daughter is knocked up". Then he goes saying, "All what people are buying is a warrantied piece of crap". Not saying IAG is crap but don't get hung up on that warranty stuff. Read the fine print.

Last edited by BlackFighter; 09-10-2020 at 09:25 AM.
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Old 09-11-2020, 01:18 AM   #6
AliBenn
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^^^^black/scuby
I'm soooo glad y'all understood what I put down

I will NEVER buy/feel better about aany warranty

I bought my 1st car....new....MY98 Impreza
Bought the "bumper to bumper" warranty
Car 15k miles so out of factory warranty
Clutch master cylinder took a dump
NP right........
Warranty Company (meh) explains to me that clutch disk is a wearable part and not covered
It's not the disk, the part failure is the MC, not the clutch
" clutch system is not covered "

Please

I was young dumb f*** back then
Totally waited for GM of dealership to go into his office
Accosted his ass, was polite.
He even called warranty company in front of me......got same BS that I got
He apologized
I paid for the $350 repair
He had the ***8216;girls upstairs' cut me a check
Point is
Warranty can be got
But
Be up for the fight of your life/stress/lots of time spent/etc

It's just not worth
1-cost
2-your time/stress spent arguing
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Old 09-11-2020, 09:30 AM   #7
BlackFighter
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Ya there is a reason why Hyundai offer 10 year 100k miles warranty. Its because that POS will brake down once a month. SO whats better? Having something quality made with 5yr/50k miles and stay out of the shop or get a car with 10yr/100k warranty and be in the shop every month.
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Old 09-12-2020, 07:48 AM   #8
Jay11STI
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackFighter View Post
Ya there is a reason why Hyundai offer 10 year 100k miles warranty. Its because that POS will brake down once a month. SO whats better? Having something quality made with 5yr/50k miles and stay out of the shop or get a car with 10yr/100k warranty and be in the shop every month.
5yr/50K warranty car is just as trash as the 10yr/100K warranty car

Getting back on track, i would stay away from a used built block. Usually, built forged blocks dont last as long as OEM. They may be built to handle ALOT of power but will not have the life span of an oem factory block. Often times, these engines are running alot of power and are abused.

If you are in need of a block i would recommend you do it right the first time and go for it brand new. Go for an IAG block or a Type RA short block.
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Old 09-14-2020, 09:38 AM   #9
BlackFighter
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Quote:
5yr/50K warranty car is just as trash as the 10yr/100K warranty car
LOL whatever you got my point. Shows how much i care about warranty when i buy a new car. Cant even remember what warranty my wifes Toyota came with.
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Old 09-14-2020, 05:08 PM   #10
Turpid Porpoise
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBenn View Post
^^^^black/scuby
I’m soooo glad y’all understood what I put down

I will NEVER buy/feel better about aany warranty

I bought my 1st car....new....MY98 Impreza
Bought the “bumper to bumper” warranty
Car 15k miles so out of factory warranty
Clutch master cylinder took a dump
NP right........
Warranty Company (meh) explains to me that clutch disk is a wearable part and not covered
It’s not the disk, the part failure is the MC, not the clutch
“ clutch system is not covered “

Please

I was young dumb f*** back then
Totally waited for GM of dealership to go into his office
Accosted his ass, was polite.
He even called warranty company in front of me......got same BS that I got
He apologized
I paid for the $350 repair
He had the ‘girls upstairs’ cut me a check
Point is
Warranty can be got
But
Be up for the fight of your life/stress/lots of time spent/etc

It’s just not worth
1-cost
2-your time/stress spent arguing
A clutch master is a wear item.... do you expect to have your brake pads warranted as well?

To the OP, sounds like you may be sniffing around my old motor from the guy that bought it from me.
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Old 09-14-2020, 08:55 PM   #11
AliBenn
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A clutch disk is a wearable item
A clutch MC is a warrantable item

Brake pads are a wearable item
Brake MC is a warrantable item

No idea who you are or what you sold
Sorry if I offended you
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Old 09-15-2020, 09:17 AM   #12
BlackFighter
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Quote:
A clutch master is a wear item.... do you expect to have your brake pads warranted as well?
Ya your wrong in that part. Master cylinder and clutch disk are way two different things, You drive a STi, how do you not know this? . MC should def be warrantied.

Last edited by BlackFighter; 09-16-2020 at 02:32 PM.
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Old 09-16-2020, 02:16 PM   #13
collin2ps
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When it comes down to IAG's warranty i have nothing but good things to say. Long story short there was a assembly error on my part which cause the block to fail at 700 miles. After contacting IAG and working through some troubleshooting steps I sent the block in for inspection. They determined that the error made was my fault but they agreed to send me a brand new block free of charge. However, either way warranty or not you cant beat the peace of mind of buying new.
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Old 09-16-2020, 02:32 PM   #14
BlackFighter
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Quote:
They determined that the error made was my fault
What was the error?
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Old 09-16-2020, 07:51 PM   #15
CallMeF
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scuby04STi View Post
Used blocks of any type are simply hit or miss, I have helped deal with a handfull or two, most where stock blocks and most of those where not great but worked for long enough to have been a good choice.



As for used "built blocks" stay away!!! Half of the ones I have touched had lesser quality parts then advertised and/or needed machine work done. I remember one that was clearly put together with left over parts, it was a nightmare!!!



Also as mentioned a warranty on something like a engine is pretty easily denied, personally I always go to a local builder that IS THE MACHINE SHOP!!!! They seem to work out the best IMO, plud I just like knowing they have a window I can throw the block into if there is an issue


I went to woolman performance. He is a machine shop out in Ohio. Very knowledgeable and friendly. I bought a new block from him. I thought this was a good topic to talk about for myself and others who are thinking of buying a used block on here or FB.
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Old 09-16-2020, 09:34 PM   #16
subaru_gc8
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I think it all depends on how out of round the cylinders are. I know when I got mine built, 2 out of the 3 werent good as I got it measured at outfront so yeah it all depends i would say
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Old 09-17-2020, 09:39 AM   #17
collin2ps
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackFighter View Post
What was the error?
I forgot to install the rear wrist pin plugs, caused the rings not to seat and glazed the cylinder walls.
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Old 09-17-2020, 10:08 AM   #18
BlackFighter
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You did your own install? Im confused. did you buy this IAG block used of someone or did you buy it brand new from IAG? If you bought it new from IAG then the rear wrist pin plugs should have been installed by IAG before it was shipped, unless you took it apart yourself when it got delivered.
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Old 09-17-2020, 11:18 AM   #19
Turpid Porpoise
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackFighter View Post
Ya your wrong in that part. Master cylinder and clutch disk are way two different things, You drive a STi, how do you not know this? . MC should def be warrantied.
I've never had to get a warranty repair on any of my cars because they are always heavily modified and I do all my own labor. It was always my understanding that items would be replaced under warranty if found to be defective due to manufacturing defects, not wear and tear caused by normal use.

I've never heard of a master cylinder being replaced under warranty before. What if the master cylinder failed because the owner got debris inside the reservoir? Or if the incorrect brake fluid was used?
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Old 09-17-2020, 11:46 AM   #20
BlackFighter
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Quote:
What if the master cylinder failed because the owner got debris inside the reservoir? Or if the incorrect brake fluid was used?
Well thats a different story. The argument is not if the item was defective or damaged by the owner, the argument is that they are claiming that the MC is a wear item like the brake pads which it is not. This is why the dealer/shop has to investigate why the item failed, was it due to a part defect or owner error. But AliBenn is saying they didn't even look at it and told him that its a wear item and is not covered under warranty, which is false.
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Old 09-17-2020, 12:07 PM   #21
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Buying a used built block is fine, however the first thing you must do is tear it down for an inspection at a machine shop and a good idea put in fresh bearings. It can same the hard parts cost, but you have to make sure its cheap enough to make sense.
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Old 09-18-2020, 09:25 AM   #22
collin2ps
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackFighter View Post
You did your own install? Im confused. did you buy this IAG block used of someone or did you buy it brand new from IAG? If you bought it new from IAG then the rear wrist pin plugs should have been installed by IAG before it was shipped, unless you took it apart yourself when it got delivered.
I did the instal myself. IAG doesnt install any plugs. It was new from IAG. They will sell you the plug and cover kit separately but you have to install them
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Old 09-18-2020, 11:14 AM   #23
BlackFighter
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Whaaaaaaa? That doesn't make sense. Just checked their site and ya your right, they don't offer those important parts with the block, that's weird.
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Old 09-18-2020, 11:34 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by BlackFighter View Post
Whaaaaaaa? That doesn't make sense. Just checked their site and ya your right, they don't offer those important parts with the block, that's weird.
yep haha, so i installed the rear cover, and forgot the plug that goes behind it. They recognized the issue immediately and still warrantied it which was awesome of them.
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Old 09-18-2020, 01:47 PM   #25
BlackFighter
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Thats good news.
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