I know what you mean , everybody will telling its more tough than oem sleeves , for sure and i agrees with you, but the point is for me its money spend for nothin exept if you plan to run 500 WHP + as a Daily driven car, and i doubt it,only on track you push it hard, and even at 500 whp you dont have any traction soo for me sleeving the block that is not necessary we had one setup B18c5 block with all stock internals only a good block guard welded correctly and he ran it all day at 400-450 whp on the street and i never break something,other friend had sleeve his block with Aebs , and it crack by the way.If the block have to crack even sleeve or not it will break that it.if you dont plan to go over 500 whp , why sleeving??? and sorry guys but if you plan to run more than 450 whp on the street your stupid, no traction , but its a personal choice, Pistons forged,ROds are important for sure, sleeving nah.