Nitro_Master

What is the benefit of going to an aluminum block, other than weight reduction? I am shopping around for engines, and have it narrowed down to 2 of them, one being mostly aluminum. If the only benefit is weight, how much does it actually save? Enough to validate the extra 4,000 increase on price?

Air_Adam

Weight savings and 'cool factor' are the only real benefit of an aluminum block over iron. IMO, its not worth an extra 4k.

xch3no2

^x2

No other but weight benefit...rather a huge bother, you have run completely studded engines...right mr. nitro?

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Weight loss, as well as a cooler running engine as Aluminum is a better heat conductor.

Its cheaper to get an LS1 in there than to build up an aluminum block SBC I'd say. Then you also get all of the engineering bonus' built into the Gen3 engines as well.

Most ls1 guys who go to an iron block gain about 80lbs.

Nitro_Master

That's not a whole lot of weight savings... but I was looking at getting a 540ci, not a SB... either way, sounds like a waste of my money. Thanks for the advice fellas.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Combine that with aluminum heads and the # goes near 150lbs. With a huge deal.

Nitro_Master

http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/5...treet_lite.asp
There she is. Seems steep on price to me tho, compared to an identical one in cast iron w/aluminum heads for $8700...

AutoRoc

iTrader: (1)

No thanks, i would rather step up another couple hundred horsepower than lose 100 pounds. That's like 2 golf bags of weight. It might affect quarter mile times by a tenth of a second at most. Only diesel engines should make more torque than horsepower. A gas engine isn't trying very hard if thats the case with it..

Happy shopping!

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

To you maybe not

But to someone in Auto-X or road racing that 100lbs off the front might be worth TONS. Combine that with other weight loss and that can have a significant positive affect on handling.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

do what i did, paint the block silver and tell people its aluminum....

Nitro_Master

I don't plan on doing any auto-x or anything like that, I'd like to hit the drag strip a few weekends a year and still keep it streetable. I was told by a co-worker to not go too high on HP or the car will be worthless for long road trips due to overheating. I figure 6-700HP should be good then?

Project 3.4 Camaro

This. I am unsure if I will ever swap a v8 into my car or not, but If I do its def not going to be an iron one. That 150 lbs makes a big difference in the front, esp since the v8s hang out over the K-member a decent bit, whereas the block on the v6s is barely past the wheel axis.

xch3no2

Just invest in the new Ls7 & a little NO2, take that to a shop that really knows what they are doing (corvette specialist).

You really don't sound like the engine building type, more a dreamer that reads too many magazines.

Air_Adam

I just think its pointless to buy a Gen 1 aluminum block, because the LSx engines already have aluminum blocks (LS1, LS6, LS2, some others as well) and are a MUCH better engine than the Gen 1 engine. An LS1 take-out also costs a helluva lot less than an aftermarket Gen 1 aluminum block does.

If it was an aluminum BBC, that would be different.... but if you're talking Gen 1 small block, I say forget it and go LSx. Cheaper to do, and you'll end up with a better engine to boot.