So I just picked up a spare motor which I intend on doing a build. my fellow G35Driver.com members advised me to come and seek some answers from the VQ Gods over here so thus I present you with this question:

Should I sleeve this block for extra reliabilty or am I fine with just the normal parts of a build (pistons, rods, head gasket etc)? I've done some reading and asked some people for suggestions but I've gotten mixed answers (some saying no need to sleeve unless I plan on runing over 650hp), some saying I should sleeve it for a more garunteed bulletproff setup. All of your answers are greatly appreciateed

 

what is your HP goal?

 

I'd be happy with 450hp-500hp. But I know being FI'd will cause me to drive hard at times.

 

you can almost achieve 450 whp on a stock block... but if you build with just pistons rods hg etc you will be more than safe for your powergoals. im doing a similar build (no sleeve) and im shooting for 650 whp dd

No need to sleeve!!

 

^Yeah I've read up on it but I jsut wanted to see what most people were doing. i guess you could say its more longevity and saftey versus power and money

 

no sleeves here...PL 37r kit looking for 600rwhp DD

 

yeah, theres no need to sleeve unless you have real big plans. 450-500 is certainly in the safe zone w/o sleeves

 

+1

 

So basically everyone will agree that sleeving will not have any signifcant advatage if Im not running over 600hp? Even just trying to run safer. I guess it was more less a question of has anyone blown a built motor?

 

I think in the last few months, only more questions about sleeving have come up instead of solutions. Seems that sleeved motors are having the head-lift issues.
And shops are turning out more 500-650rwhp stock sleeve motors more than ever now.

 

When I was researching my motor build, I was told by three different VQ engine builders not to sleeve the motor unless I was going for really high horsepower.

Sleeved motors run hotter, which itself can create reliability issues. In fact, it is generally recommended only to sleeve the motor if you are going to run over 650 RWHP or you are going with a stroked motor. Then, be sure you add adequate cooling capacity.

 

i am in the same boat as you, i have a spare vq in my garage. im going to sleeve it. Open deck = FTL of you want high horsepower

 

there was a hot debate on sleeve or not with one of the members, I think his name is Alberto.

 

Thanks for all the respoonses guys. Your help has been really appreciated in making this choice.

 

seems like these days the basic shortblocks are the best option for < 600whp

 

No need to sleeve. Save your money. I believe someone made close to 800rwhp on stock sleeving.

 

yes it was

 

basically sleeving if for those with vqs pushing beyond 700whp IMO

so 90% of peopel building their engines dont need to worry about them.

 

what about a closed-deck conversion which, by the way, you can do without sleeving...it's no walk in the park either...But I trust it more than sleeving.

 

^What is involved in closing the deck? I know the VQ's have a gap between the head and the block. But what process is done to do this?