How Much BILLET Does it Take to Make a 3500HP+ SML Head ?

[@curtd03]

Dewey is cool !

[@Onewheelordeal]

Honestly just having the highest level of "LS" based stuff being shown while there's just a dog getting in the shot is pretty freakin cool lol

[@statementleaver8095]

Reminds me of Scooby doo 😂😂

[@randallmason9687]

Dewey has star power!

[@markcasto9526]

Dewey is my favorite employee. Steve can we get a Dewey ( hope I’m spelling it correct) shirt with a SMX ?

[@brandonsearle990]

Star of the show

[@codyknutson3872]

My 11 year old son and I just watched this and when the head was being machined he said”I could watch this all day!” Thank u Steve for putting quality content on here that I can watch and share with my son. I enjoyed explaining to him what was going on as much as he enjoyed watching the chips flying. Thank you.

[@jaypop7385]

Thank you for videos like these showing us the full process of machining heads and all your parts it’s so awesome and so informative, makes me miss machining when I watch how Amazing your shop is!!

[@PeaceMarauder]

Makes me miss engine building.

[@brandonbritt99]

that's mind boggling how much metal gets removed to make the heads what an awesome vid keep up the great work

[@SynchronizorVideos]

That's subtractive manufacturing for you. Luckily, aluminum is very straightforward and extremely cost-effective to recycle, so those chips won't go to waste.

[@highpointsights]

17 years ago in an aerospace shop California! We made parts that came in the shop as forged Ingots, picked up by a fork lift. By the time we got done with them I was picking them up by myself!! Something on the order of 45-50 pounds!!

[@brandonbritt99]

@@highpointsights wooahh

[@highpointsights]

made 13 of them. They spent "WEEKS" in the mill department then I cut on each of them for 100 hour in the wire department!!

[@NovaRedHead]

It's really awesome to see this channel growing and improving. Can't wait to see the wagon ripping again

[@billaustin2216]

Your videos are awesome Steve and Dewey is a star. Shop dogs rule!

[@patrickvaugn897]

Very cool process. Would be interesting to see more about the water jacket , baffles , flow direction....also how operating temps affect the tempering of the aluminum

[@lsucody3687]

That one head is like a 400 dollar block just material imagine labor and the rest of the components now you get an idea why SMX cost 75k plus

[@Guesswho69650]

Very impressive!!! Especially seeing the machine tilting in different directions while the head was also rotating different directions.

[@highpointsights]

That is 5 axis machining! It's amazing!

[@highpointsights]

@ 16:55 is a perfect example of it!

[@douglashartsaw3286]

The love of what you do, shows throughout everything. Makes it all so much more interesting. Dewey is a star as well. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the passion you put into it.

[@mshafer2006]

Love how interested Dewey is. Also, love the content. I could watch those machines for hours and not get bored.

[@mrray55]

If he would run a live stream of the machines I would probably run that most of the day. I find the noise very southing. But notice the jump cuts to not show proprietary stuff.

[@kzarnold3678]

I worked in a machine shop just out of high-school 20yrs ago. I liked it for about a month then got bored out of my mind mostly production type of work.

[@kilgorefamily76]

Amazing process. I wonder how long before tech catches up and we see you start 3d printing some of these parts. You should get a go-pro collar and have Dewey record his daily view of what goes on in the shop.

[@BBROPHOTO]

Watching the 5 axis machine at work was amazing! Thanks for this Steve, really love these manufacturing videos.

[@ronjones-6977]

Now that I've seen it work, it's easier to understand the "5-axis."

[@benrossbach6501]

With Dewey's help I was spot on without him not so much.

[@bigblockjess617]

The dog makes every vudeo better. Shows what type of person tou are. Im the same way with my animals.. all rescues tho. Thanks for everything u do steve

[@thefunneyone]

I love the vudeo too

[@koolkar55]

Love Dewy. He is the best shop dog bar maybe Pablo & Buddy on Halfass Customs. Love your work Steve. Billy J.... Queensland, Australia.

[@joshbalding2349]

Love seeing your dog in the videos!

[@shawnarnold5079]

I love the fact that you show everything on your engines. That’s straight confidence in your product knowing that it can’t be duplicated!

[@farmerkevin]

I'd like to hear about the aluminum billets, what kind of AL and where's it come from. Great video as usual.

[@raindeergames6104]

These are probably 6061 T6 bullets.

[@christopherayers1435]

Have you ever thought of flipping the hot side to the center to run the trubos and cold side on the outside in order to decrease size of the package and increase the ability to cool an move more air through the cylinder heades

[@Xsivtime]

Nice work. Piece of art. Can’t wait to see these running down the track.

[@stevemorrisracing]

You and me both!

[@vehdynam]

Another great explanation video ; we are learning so much ! Many thanks. PS: those cylinder heads are like jewels, no wonder you are proud of the SML and the SMX.

[@stevemorrisracing]

Thanks again!

[@andrewgorniak6173]

Steve, this video is why I really enjoyed your content. I really like to see how engines are built, plus I really like all the drag racing you guys do as well so keep up all the great work and content coming because I'm always excited for the next video and what's coming next

[@mustardman6242]

It'd be really cool if you had some "inspected by Dewey" stickers made with a cartoon picture of him to put in all your part and merch orders!

[@mikescott4007]

Hey Steve I’m curious how long did it take to develop that head ?and how long to program the machines ?to make one and how much time does it take to machine one head ?

[@epikmeroッ]

this is what I want to know also.. I would bet it takes a good few hours for the machine to cut.. maybe days ??

[@mustangal8534]

I'm a CNC machinist, we make fluid fittings for military aerospace lines. Mostly titanium. Really wish we were making bad ass race engine stuff instead. There's a lot of weight in chips to make billet parts for sure.

[@royduenas1192]

Dewey is making sure to protect proprietary secrets 😂. Everything from SM Engines is just awe-inspiring. I always look forward to seeing the next video as well as the next innovation. Keep em coming! 👍🏼🙏🏼💯🇬🇺

[@montikore]

He got all the paw-prietary secrets for sure

[@Dealete420]

He needs to put a head cam on Dewey.

[@randybehrmann5454]

It's actually more than 75# of chips because you added weight back into the head with the guides, seats, and all of the bolts that hold the water jacket plates in place.

[@beany1987]

For those wondering it's between $17k - $20k so a nice chunk of change for that rear end. Also my guess around 47kg for the block of aluminium.

[@mericawhips5697]

@@bigboreracing356 it only cost 7k

[@matthewmckibben7445]

Drat, I guessed 120#, close but no cigar. lol Thank you for sharing the real deal info on all your incredible engineering and development of these beautiful engines. Looking forward to the new and improved wagon. Party on, man!

[@Sf_Mason]

Given how much material is lost during the machining process for the heads and block, have you considered discussions with a casting company with getting the heads and block done in a high pressure casting blank that'd save material and getting better grain structure for improved strength and reduced machining costs? They'd only need to have some basic details and where you need the material where you can finish machine the pieces still ot your specs. I did a study at a previous job where we found for costs, after about 10 billet pieces on a machined part, it starts being more cost effective for a casting. Just a suggestion from a mechanical engineer :)

[@randellc9016]

That was awesome to watch! I was only 2 pounds off on the final weight! What happens to all the shavings? Are they sent off to be melted down into something?

[@kenmackay9276]

Beautiful Steve , as always with everything I watch from you I do learn every day . I would be so proud also the best design and works of art . Love Dewey helping and just being Dewey

[@mikeh.748]

The question is how much per pound $ wise between the aluminum chips (scrap) and $ per pound of billet chunkyness? I’d like to know the difference between the 2. At first I’m sure that chunk isn’t cheap, then after the machining, now it really isn’t cheap. Ahhhh, the ole less is more principle. I’ve heard of this. You fed Cleeter a link for this new rear end right? I have a strange feeling he’s going to need it.” Party on Steve” “ Party on Kyle” “ SML SML ALTERNATE HOLE LOCATION EXCELLENT “ ( air guitar)

[@brickums913]

Was just wondering the same! Also, what is done with the accumulated chips?! Sold or recycled ?? And what's the offset in finished product because that's 2 whole heads chipped from one lol

[@lunkydog]

I think the lower pinion CL on the 9" is the reason it turns as hard or harder than the new bad boy rear end.

[@nateg9770]

16,500 and change rear-end 👍 they are very nice

[@AB-80X]

No, that's for the base version. From what I could see, it had the alu 4 link bracket. That's over 18k. But apparently Steve's a cheapskate. No carbon brakes lol. JK😀

[@nateg9770]

@AB-80X the version I looked at was the second one up with the same brackets as Steve and yes no carbon brakes 👍😅 I get it it's expensive to go fast.

[@gerrymilidantri6457]

Steve your video regarding maching of billet cylinder heads was awesome. I'm a retired CEO of company that repaired and manufactured Turbine engine components for large Heavy Industrial Power generating Turbine engines. I incorporated in my factories counter balanced lift arms to assist operators to load and unload components from machine tools and coating chambers . Watching your video your shop would benefit from this lift assistance. The workman's compensation pitfalls will greatly be reduced. Google these manufacturers counterbalanced load lifter sights that can assist you.

[@stevemorrisracing]

Thanks

[@jimmydoiron6395]

What’s the cycle time for one cylinder head ? Pretty cool stuff i wish we would make automotive parts at the workshop

[@frosthoe]

When I used to machine / mill raw foundry castings, I would fill SIX 55 gallon barrels with chips every shift whittling down castings. Had a 320 inch lathe, 6 inch dia toolbar, there too, it was like a snow thrower when running! During strong thunderstorms , old trapped chips rained down from the ceiling 30 feet up. Mindboggling amounts of light aluminum, iron, and heavy as all hell dirty Bronze Hurculoy sand castings. Those were messy! A shovel full was all you could lift! And Iron, ehhh, it got in everything! The blank casting and rough shaped billet stock went for magnaflux, then Xray, before accepted for machining processes.

[@jeremyshorey7440]

You guys work is phenomenal!! I was wondering thou do you save your shavings to have melted down into solid billets again?

[@Leon-Servant-of-Christ]

You would think so, right? I'm sure he boxes up the garbage and send it to a manufacturer of billet blocks.

[@dakotareid1566]

It goes to a recycling plant, aluminum is fairly recyclable same with steel. Then they give you the cash value of what the scrap weighs

[@burntrubber5689]

Great video Steve, very informative. One thing you didn't mention... how long does the whole process take from solid billet block to finished product?

[@nikkojones2784]

Hey Steve, thanks for walking us thru the tedious process that equates to horse power. Please continue to put out content everything & anything having to do with the shop is interesting to your viewers. BTW ❤ DEWEY the apprentice.

[@adamfulford6423]

Thankyou Steve!! Not only do you read the comments but also answer them!! Love your work!

[@azatron2091]

Need Dewey merch

[@billaustin2216]

I'd buy some.

[@strykerentllc]

We guessed 100# on the rough cut billet & 10# removed on the first op. Finished head weight guess was 30# based on being 7000 series AL. Close but no cigar... LOL Dewey had us smiling as always and yes, when it's our parts that come out in finished form knowing they started out as nothing more than an idea with a blank screen in SW, it definitely makes one have a sense of accomplishment that purchasing a finished part cannot compare to. We still rely on vendors as manufacturing every part is a fool's venture when there are so many excellent vendors to choose from for fasteners, springs, and those specialty shops with Swiss screws that make absolute jewelry. Cheers!

[@scottwatson5767]

Once again some awesome info, Very nice machining! by the way Steve what do you do with all the waste from cutting the heads, do you toss it out or sell it back to a foundry. I would think you could actually cut some blocks off the billet and use it for other machined pieces. not sure if you make any smaller pieces.

[@m0armike424]

Really diggin that new intro, thanks for the great videos steve!

[@bradleyfreeman2642]

I'd like to sincerely say thank you for the great videos. The way that you explain all of the technical aspects of what you're doing. Your videos are not only entertaining, but highly educational & for a numbers nerd like me I have learned so much from you.

[@jamesbethune6602]

Hoovies garage is selling a cruiser like yours just has the middle back top sunroof and windows on cars and bids. It would make a nice sleeper new little build js.

[@industrialsized]

I can't help but trust a person that is that gentle with their dogs

[@darylmorse]

Steve, you have every right to be proud of your designs. That's a nice looking cylinder head if I ever saw one!

[@mikebougher3731]

The machine shop I work at takes a 4000lb pallet of aluminum stock and when the pieces are done there is only 280lbs to be shipped out to the customer. I forget how many pieces we send at a time I think its around 80.

[@edmahonejr.9364]

Holy shit what the hell kind of parts are they and what are they for NASA

[@mikebougher3731]

@Ed Mahone JR. I forget if those are Boeing or Lockheed Martin. They don't tell us what we are making it just has a number and a print.

[@edmahonejr.9364]

@@mikebougher3731 👍

[@jylp4u]

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Either it's going to go or it's going to blow." But that's a saying for the assumption that something can possibly break. What happens when you build your vehicle so that nothing can possibly break? The only thing that will break are records? The limit becomes aerodynamics rather than the breaking point of the parts?

[@mikehunt8968]

Creating swarf.... Expensive swarf!

[@2Jwain]

Thanks for sharing. You have a lot to be proud of. Pat that guy on the back that wrote the code for that 5 axis work!

[@pineychristian]

Steve you should be proud of your own stuff. The SMX & SML engines your cranking out of there is BADASS !!!

[@Leon-Servant-of-Christ]

All of you keyboard mechanics, please, pretty Please; keep you unschooled comments to yourself, please.. Understand that Mr Morris does this for a living and knows the ins and outs of this sport; I mean he builds his own engines for goodness sake, No - excuse me.... He "Machines" his own engines, from scratch billet block aluminum.. He doesn't need our 2 cents to say that this or that will be harder, rougher, rob more or less power, be more or less efficient. Keep those comments to yourself, please.. Thank you

[@edfrawley4356]

While it may seem wasteful to send al that aluminum to scrap its good to remember that aluminum is infinitely recyclable. It is gathered up and sold by weight back to the smelter and re-melted and re-used. It is quite possible that aluminum from WWII fighters and bombers which were scrapped by the thousands after the war are actually a part of any given aluminum engine block or piston.

[@davidjohnson8474]

Steve I'm really impressed in your designs! I'm watching back older videos cause I'm laid up with a knee replacement surgery and learning a lot! Something I wanted to ask have you ever thought about heads for pontiac engines? The coolest design they came up with was a RAM AIR V heads! They make a pontiac to REV above 8500rpm and double the breathing! Nobody makes them cause everyone takes the easiest way.

[@stevemorrisracing]

Nope not on my radar

[@davidjohnson8474]

@Steve Morris Engines ok I was just wondering.

[@chief3378]

Big Chief would like to know that one I bet he was hoping he would say yes

[@davidjohnson8474]

@@chief3378 I'm really sure he would be a major customer! The heads he uses now are no where as good as RAM AIR Vs! I'd bet he'd gain 500+hp!

[@Edward135i]

I think the SML is going to be a very hot ticket item for you Steve, nothing else like it, I kind of want you to put one in the wagon just to see how hard you can push it.

[@zacharywallace2243]

Me too!

[@travismugridge2422]

Sure makes me miss machining, I used to love being handed big billet projects, I wish I lived on that side of the state I’d definitely work for you guys! Great work!

[@crazylarryjr]

I'm guessing the 12" rearend is designed around the GM 12 bolt or possibly the Dana 60 rear's the pinion angle on both is almost identical. The pinion is almost centered on ring gear (slightly below to allow a decent spiral cut) so is more efficient, but the issue is the HP load is actually less than the 9" ford rear. The super low positioning of the 9" pinion lowers efficiency, but increases power handling. The 12" ring should be almost unbreakable, so the efficiency should be helpful. On the head i guessed 95 pounds, so off by 13 BTW by percentage you removed 68.5% of all the alumnium to make that head

[@analog56x]

this is so awesome. i love seeing machine work. the fact that you show everything is super cool too. i love knowing why things are done a certain way, and you explain everything too. cheers!

[@PhilG999]

Holy crap! That original block @~9:00 weighs 7# less than I do! That's a LOT of chips to be remelted!

[@joetate8563]

I love Dewey being the star of the show!

[@soup2ru433]

Just wanted to say I just ordered a blue boost hoodie. I've been laying here in the hospital after getting my right foot whacked off watching all your videos and I really like the engine builds and the wagon. Wagons rule!

[@jasonklaffer6926]

20,000 rear end wow Don’t break it !!!

[@stevesolo16]

I see the intake runners gets narrower the the closer it gets into the head port. I'd love to hear why. This is one of your best videos! It's obvious you are passionate about your work. Not many have that luxury. Keep posting your videos! Steve Solo 💪

[@ohfugit]

Thank you! Awesome content!!! I like seeing Dewey in your videos too.

[@turbostyler]

I would imagine the backlash on the "smaller" diff would be tighter to reduce damage from shock loading, whereas the mother trucker diff wouldn't have as tight a back lash as there is much greater surface area making it easier to turn by hand.

[@logannewman4532]

Working in a high end machine shop working on a lot of parts for semiconductors. Right now I'm missing the old days when we were a small startup and I brought my dog to work every day.

[@tomb7704]

$21K + Tax if you are wondering.

[@robertboucher6700]

Love Dooey. He's funny. Lol! Those heads are bad ass. Can't imagine how much engineering went into those and the motors. Love this shit!

[@williamlewis7846]

Thanks Steve, as a retired machinist with the usual back and knee problems from over lifting all my adult life. It may speed your operation to have some lifting arms over the machines to avoid back injury and having to use 2 guys to do the lifting. I don't like to criticize, but I suggest this as a way to help speed up the operation and hopefully save you a couple bucks. (insert number of grains of salt to take with this here)

[@jls3675]

Every time the puppers pops in I wish my dog could be at work with me. Love it.

[@brianeffler7835]

Amazing work right there. I appreciate you allowing us a behind the scenes.

[@gavinkeller183]

That’s an awesome process. Great video Steve And 75lbs of chips I bet the aluminum recyclers love you.

[@davidgrooms7121]

As a machinist and CNC programmer, love the videos! Want to know what are the inserted tools you are roughing with?

[@davefroman4700]

3D printing will bring that down by 90% in the next few years. And yes we have equipment capable of doing it today. Its already being used to construct parts for jet engines and Rockets.

[@nickcollins1528]

I've never messed with a 3 d printer yet but they are going to get wild

[@KCadbyRacing]

Yup, the first 3D rocket (Relativity) didn't quite make it into orbit (2nd stage engine failed to ignite properly)...

[@nickcollins1528]

@@KCadbyRacing agreed but a work in progress

[@SlipFitGarage]

All those billet engine parts.... Looks like jewellery to me! What kind of dog is Dewey? He Kinda looks like Scooby-Doo but smaller. He seems like a great dog..... just part of the family.

[@michiganracer1181]

Any new mods to the SMX going into the wagon? The rear-end is so cool! I can see as you get busier you might consider work flow process in your shop, how parts move through the system to reduce overall time per part. Great stuff thanks for sharing as much as you do!

[@jasonblack8639]

Dewey is sniffing around quality control

[@moreboost]

What about a Dooie Hoodie or shirt? Paw print or prints? LOL Awesome showing stuff made in the USA!!!! Support the people that support you! :) Built with love and passion for perfection!

[@glennedward2201]

I didn’t see but maybe consider a crane setup in your CNC machines so nobody hurts their back when working. I had them just for swinging my 4/5 axis trunnions and rotaries off the table and an occasional heavy block. You can build your own like i had with a swinging arm. Steel bar mounted across the top enclosure and a steel two pivot arm that can fold over and half its length. When done using you collapse it off to the side. I used a pulley system that had a 2000lb harbor freight style cheap winch I modified so i could pick anything off the floor to set on the table, or vice versus. Probably cost around $400 each plus some labor to make them. Up to you Steve, but its a small investment into safety you’ll certainly appreciate and so will your work comp insurance. Engines are cool but I’d like to see that shop some day. Be blessed

[@glennedward2201]

I used to collect all my chips and we setup a system to wash the oily coolant off then pour into a barrel and they dry out. I was paid more for the chips then the billet pieces i recycled. I used to machine a 40lb block of 7075 into a 1 lb-12oz billet part that was beautiful when done. Foreign competition saw these parts selling for $1500 each, bought one, copied my design and started having the parts forged. They would take the finished forging and machine a few points on them and advertised as billet selling them for $400 each, about the cost of my materials at the time.

[@c103110a]

15:58 that maching HOGS out the material!

[@timothyarnott3584]

Hey Steve, Tim here, ya know i dont care about a %70 loss of material, as long as you guys recycle that billet aluminum as much as you can......what comes around goes around, if you are a responsible machinist (which i believe you are), you will send ur chips/cuttings to get put back into the mix......cuz u'll need more later, and if %70 gets cut away, recycling it all is a prudent thing to do......i'm a pro Christ, pro recycler, type of dude.....being responsible is the only way to go.......we want more aluminum ready for yer NEXT set of heads, or billet block!!!!!.....LOVE the chanel, and now, i MUST find my way to the merch site, i need a t-shirt........hope ya get my point......LOVE IT!!!

[@logang2878]

I guessed 10lbs for the first weight reduction, dead on, but I did not guess anywhere near accurate for the initial weight

[@johnunruh1086]

Best video yet! Thanks Steve! You're quite the man!!

[@chrisjohnson9587]

Steve this is so amazing your one hell of an engine designer great machinery

[@vancecooper9943]

20k seems respectable at the level you are at. Can’t wait to see it back on the track

[@peejay1981]

Wow the tool chatter on the 5 axis makes my head hurt!! You should really beef up that fixture, it will improve your tool life quite a bit.

[@fauxque5057]

Gotta love CNC machines. They do beautiful work

[@bradley3549]

That fixture seemed surprisingly light weight for the task. Not surprised to hear it sing like that.

[@NCCoder]

I used to cut 3 piece wheel forgings. One started out at 95lbs, and came out of the lathe at like 30, then when finished out of the mill, they were 14lbs. A LOT of this stuff turns into scrap.

[@keithpirnie4404]

I imagine the 75 lbs of chips is worth almost nothing as compared to cost per lb of billet slug ?

[@joeyberanek1165]

Nope guessed wrong, tks to you an your shop for mullets journey last season it was great to win world cup. It's gonna be great season for all that buy an run your shops engines.

[@nikkojones2784]

We Need Dewey / SM Merch. Dewey The Dyno Dawg. Dewey Quality Control Crew Chief Dewey The Apprentice...

[@woofersd2383]

Must be nerve racking to put a block of aluminum in either machines, for the very first time. 1 oops in programming and junk. This is so cool.

[@Berm_Blaster]

Have you guys noticed any differences between different suppliers of the billets? Or have you always gotten them from same company?

[@AndyL940]

I think your an amazing man Steve. I wish I had a fraction of your drive and enthusiasm ! 🙏🏻 Love the channel and your sharing of knowledge. Thank you