alu race bloks
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
alu race bloks
hi, are the alu blocks for SB as strong as the best motown or little M race blks? what's the weight saving against steel? what's the best brand on your opinion? thanks/Giu
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
The factory cast iron blocks are around 20 pounds lighter then the
stronger world/dart iron aftermarket blocks. The aluminum version
world/dart will have a lower strength rating then there cast iron.
I think you would save around 90 pounds over a factory block and
close to 110 on a aftermarket block. For all the money an aluminum
block costs I don't think they are worth it for the amount of weight
savings.
stronger world/dart iron aftermarket blocks. The aluminum version
world/dart will have a lower strength rating then there cast iron.
I think you would save around 90 pounds over a factory block and
close to 110 on a aftermarket block. For all the money an aluminum
block costs I don't think they are worth it for the amount of weight
savings.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 26, 2006 at 02:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I just had a bad experience with a cast iron Motown block. The block costs about $2300. I had a crank problem and the block was nearly ruined.
I'm really considering have it completly fixed with an align bore and selling it. Aluminum is repairible. So even if aluminum cost over $4000 it's a bargain. If you waste just one cast iron block like I almost did.
I'm really considering have it completly fixed with an align bore and selling it. Aluminum is repairible. So even if aluminum cost over $4000 it's a bargain. If you waste just one cast iron block like I almost did.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Originally Posted by Little Mouse
The factory cast iron blocks are around 20 pounds lighter then the
stronger world/dart iron aftermarket blocks. The aluminum version
world/dart will have a lower strength rating then there cast iron.
I think you would save around 90 pounds over a factory block and
close to 110 on a aftermarket block. For all the money an aluminum
block costs I don't think they are worth it for the amount of weight
savings.
stronger world/dart iron aftermarket blocks. The aluminum version
world/dart will have a lower strength rating then there cast iron.
I think you would save around 90 pounds over a factory block and
close to 110 on a aftermarket block. For all the money an aluminum
block costs I don't think they are worth it for the amount of weight
savings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Sounds like you could buy two cast iron blocks for the price of one
aluminum block and have one for a spare. Gkull what would it add to
the cost of a $4000 aluminum block to repair it?? Are you going to
be able to line bore your block for the 2.65 crank ??
aluminum block and have one for a spare. Gkull what would it add to
the cost of a $4000 aluminum block to repair it?? Are you going to
be able to line bore your block for the 2.65 crank ??
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 26, 2006 at 02:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
If I was building one, I would propably start with Donovan block...
http://donovanengineering.com/Blocks/SmallBlock.html
http://donovanengineering.com/Blocks/SmallBlock.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Originally Posted by groovyjay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Panic I would think an aftermaket aluminum block would handle that
power level, unless you were trying to run at that level for long
periods of time, then it would probably be better to have the cast iron block.
power level, unless you were trying to run at that level for long
periods of time, then it would probably be better to have the cast iron block.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Chevy copies ford and chrysler
The LS1 engines are built the right way for strength with a deep skirt
block the crank completly surrounded and cross bolted caps.
Kind of reminds me of the 1963 427 side oiler ford and 426 Hemi.
block the crank completly surrounded and cross bolted caps.
Kind of reminds me of the 1963 427 side oiler ford and 426 Hemi.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
If I were looking at aluminum blocks, I would seriously have to look at the LSx versions. These new generation engines make great power because of the new cylinder heads they have compared to the old 23* heads. Unless of course you plan on running less than 23*, then you need to compare the cost of valvetrain pieces compared to the new technology offerings 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
An aluminum block does not make the power a cast iron block makes, in a car as heavy as a Corvette an aluminum block is a waste of money until you have done EVERYTHING else to lighten your car. If you want POWER I have a FRESH 18* headed SB available I can no longer run (upwards of 700hp) comes with a custom built set of Corvette triple step headers.... as always E-MAIL DIRECT!! redvetracr@msn.com
ps: NO tire kickers and NO picture collectors...
ps: NO tire kickers and NO picture collectors...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 1,178
From: out of nowhere
Originally Posted by groovyjay
If I was building one, I would propably start with Donovan block...
http://donovanengineering.com/Blocks/SmallBlock.html
http://donovanengineering.com/Blocks/SmallBlock.html
Over the years I've heard a lot of good about them.redvetracr: How about a pic?
Just kidding!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by litevette
Over the years I've heard a lot of good about them.redvetracr: How about a pic?
Just kidding!!!!