nitro dave
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After the great post by X on his experience with the ABSC sleeve in his fantom, I decided to e-mail Jeff from fantom expressing my concerns with my fantom that I am getting ready to drop in my Maxx. Here is my email to him
Hello (Jeff?)
I recently purchased a Fantom FR.15 for my T Maxx. I was getting ready to drop it in when I started hearing some people who were having issues with the ABSC sleeve (used on the 02 models I believe). I noticed that you switched back to a ABC sleeve for 03 along with a redesigned carb. I am a little leary of putting the engine in my truck to have it not give the performance I want. Do I need to worry about the ABSC sleeve? I am especially cautious since you switched back to the ABC for 03. That switch coupled with problems I have heard from Fantom owners with the ABSC sleeve worry me enough that I am thinking of selling the engine and going with a competitors product. I initially bought the engine based on the many good things I heard from happy Fantom owners (with the ABC sleeve). Your company has a good reputation for taking care of its loyal customers, and I hope that you can shed some light on this issue for me. Thank You.
Sincerely,
Dave Roberts
He then responded with the following:
Hello Dave,
Thank you for your email.
Regarding your concerns, you don't need to worry about anything as long as you break in the engine properly. The reason we switched back to ABC wasn't because ABC is better, but rather just easier to use. Over the course of the 6 months we used ABSC, we noticed a lot of people having difficulties with the break-in process. ABSC is more sensitive, compared to ABC, so if not broken in properly problems occur quickly. Because ABSC is so hard, if a person doesn't get the engine up to 220 degrees quickly, the sleeve doesn't expand enough, which allows the piston to scrub the sleeve too much. The problems usually occurs during the break in process, because many people like to break their engines in by letting them sit and idle. The sleeve doesn't get hot enough, so it doesn't expand to design parameters, letting the piston scrub the sleeve, and ultimately causing premature loss of compression. With ABC, the chrome plating is a little more forgiving, so the break in process becomes less critical, which is why most people favor our decision to go back to ABC construction. On the track, both types perform equally. If you feel more comfortable running an ABC type piston and sleeve, please mail us your ABSC piston and sleeve, and we will replace it with an ABC type, free of charge. Don't worry about taking the rod off, as we will do that here. If you want to try the ABSC, go ahead, and if it gives you problems, send the engine in and we will rebuild it with ABC components, free of charge.
Also, please use a high quality fuel, such as our SC20, Trinity's Monster Horsepower, or Wildcat fuel. We do not endorse any other brands, especially Blue Thunder.
I hope that helps give you more confidence in running the engine.
Best Regards,
Jeff
Fantom Racing
I thank Jeff for his stand up attitude towards his product and company. I plan to try the ABSC sleeve and see how it goes, and if it doesn't work out for me, then it is off to the factory for a free rebuild. I haven't run the engine, but I appreciate the customer service that was given to me.
Hello (Jeff?)
I recently purchased a Fantom FR.15 for my T Maxx. I was getting ready to drop it in when I started hearing some people who were having issues with the ABSC sleeve (used on the 02 models I believe). I noticed that you switched back to a ABC sleeve for 03 along with a redesigned carb. I am a little leary of putting the engine in my truck to have it not give the performance I want. Do I need to worry about the ABSC sleeve? I am especially cautious since you switched back to the ABC for 03. That switch coupled with problems I have heard from Fantom owners with the ABSC sleeve worry me enough that I am thinking of selling the engine and going with a competitors product. I initially bought the engine based on the many good things I heard from happy Fantom owners (with the ABC sleeve). Your company has a good reputation for taking care of its loyal customers, and I hope that you can shed some light on this issue for me. Thank You.
Sincerely,
Dave Roberts
He then responded with the following:
Hello Dave,
Thank you for your email.
Regarding your concerns, you don't need to worry about anything as long as you break in the engine properly. The reason we switched back to ABC wasn't because ABC is better, but rather just easier to use. Over the course of the 6 months we used ABSC, we noticed a lot of people having difficulties with the break-in process. ABSC is more sensitive, compared to ABC, so if not broken in properly problems occur quickly. Because ABSC is so hard, if a person doesn't get the engine up to 220 degrees quickly, the sleeve doesn't expand enough, which allows the piston to scrub the sleeve too much. The problems usually occurs during the break in process, because many people like to break their engines in by letting them sit and idle. The sleeve doesn't get hot enough, so it doesn't expand to design parameters, letting the piston scrub the sleeve, and ultimately causing premature loss of compression. With ABC, the chrome plating is a little more forgiving, so the break in process becomes less critical, which is why most people favor our decision to go back to ABC construction. On the track, both types perform equally. If you feel more comfortable running an ABC type piston and sleeve, please mail us your ABSC piston and sleeve, and we will replace it with an ABC type, free of charge. Don't worry about taking the rod off, as we will do that here. If you want to try the ABSC, go ahead, and if it gives you problems, send the engine in and we will rebuild it with ABC components, free of charge.
Also, please use a high quality fuel, such as our SC20, Trinity's Monster Horsepower, or Wildcat fuel. We do not endorse any other brands, especially Blue Thunder.
I hope that helps give you more confidence in running the engine.
Best Regards,
Jeff
Fantom Racing
I thank Jeff for his stand up attitude towards his product and company. I plan to try the ABSC sleeve and see how it goes, and if it doesn't work out for me, then it is off to the factory for a free rebuild. I haven't run the engine, but I appreciate the customer service that was given to me.
