New engine for the vette
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Melting Slicks
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From: Northern Calif
New engine for the vette
everyone knows that GM has announced the all aluminum engine 5.5 L direct inj, 440hp motor for the C7. My question is what kind of weight savings are talking about with the all alum block vs the LS3 and what are the draw backs? I was told tonight that alum blocks are trash if the car ever overheats. True?
Last edited by knkali; Jul 12, 2010 at 03:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Austin TX
everyone knows that GM has announced the all aluminum engine 5.5 L direct inj, 440hp motor for the C7. My question is what kind of weight savings are talking about with the alum block vs the LS3 and what are the draw backs? I was told tonight that alum blocks are trash if the car ever overheats. True?
As do most modern cars.
There are no issues with an aluminum block that you need to worry about.
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '09
everyone knows that GM has announced the all aluminum engine 5.5 L direct inj, 440hp motor for the C7. My question is what kind of weight savings are talking about with the alum block vs the LS3 and what are the draw backs? I was told tonight that alum blocks are trash if the car ever overheats. True?
All modern LS blocks are aluminum.
San
Last edited by oldmansan; Jul 13, 2010 at 12:52 AM.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
everyone knows that GM has announced the all aluminum engine 5.5 L direct inj, 440hp motor for the C7. My question is what kind of weight savings are talking about with the alum block vs the LS3 and what are the draw backs? I was told tonight that alum blocks are trash if the car ever overheats. True?
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New Corvette Engine: 440-hp, 5.5-liter V8
Here's a link: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...-5-5-liter-V8/
Couple of points, while the LS3 is mostly aluminum the liners are steel. The new 5.5 L may benefit from the technology showcased in the new 5.0 Mustang. The car enjoys a sprayed in lining that is more durable and lighter than the pressed in steel variety. As for overheating, I agree it's not an issue but was back when aluminum heads were used on cast iron blocks - that does not apply here
Couple of points, while the LS3 is mostly aluminum the liners are steel. The new 5.5 L may benefit from the technology showcased in the new 5.0 Mustang. The car enjoys a sprayed in lining that is more durable and lighter than the pressed in steel variety. As for overheating, I agree it's not an issue but was back when aluminum heads were used on cast iron blocks - that does not apply here
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Here's a link: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...-5-5-liter-V8/
Couple of points, while the LS3 is mostly aluminum the liners are steel. The new 5.5 L may benefit from the technology showcased in the new 5.0 Mustang. The car enjoys a sprayed in lining that is more durable and lighter than the pressed in steel variety. As for overheating, I agree it's not an issue but was back when aluminum heads were used on cast iron blocks - that does not apply here
Couple of points, while the LS3 is mostly aluminum the liners are steel. The new 5.5 L may benefit from the technology showcased in the new 5.0 Mustang. The car enjoys a sprayed in lining that is more durable and lighter than the pressed in steel variety. As for overheating, I agree it's not an issue but was back when aluminum heads were used on cast iron blocks - that does not apply here
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
everyone knows that GM has announced the all aluminum engine 5.5 L direct inj, 440hp motor for the C7. My question is what kind of weight savings are talking about with the alum block vs the LS3 and what are the draw backs? I was told tonight that alum blocks are trash if the car ever overheats. True?
It is clear the OP didn't know the LS3 is an aluminum block and has misconceptions about aluminum blocks.
San
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Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '12
everyone knows that GM has announced the all aluminum engine 5.5 L direct inj, 440hp motor for the C7. My question is what kind of weight savings are talking about with the alum block vs the LS3 and what are the draw backs? I was told tonight that alum blocks are trash if the car ever overheats. True?
Aluminum is lighter than steel/iron. So depends on size of engine as to weight saving. Thats also why Z06/ZR1 have aluminum frames as well as carbon fiber and balsa wood floors. I owned a '09 LS3 Z51 Roadster. I can tell you that it's far better engine than the 427 engine of the 60's....***in terms of performance*** as not to offend......it's power to weight ratio outranks 'it's kin by 25-40% because of cube difference and material leading to further weight reductions as well. 427 cubes of iron/steel -vs- 378 cubes of mostly aluminum that makes equal ponies in it's base form. My advise is to read up and be informed instead of listening to rumors.
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Had nothing to do with the all aluminum constructed block. It was the Blockhead engineer that spec'd a mild steel head gasket that caused the problem. Head gaskets started leaking coolant into the cylinders washing down the walls which wiped out the oil control rings. As soon as Chevy realized they had a problem, they changed the head gasket to stainless steel, and that cured the oil usage problem, but the PR damage was never fixed.
Team Owner
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My advice is educate yourself about modern GM engines. I used to think as what you say you were told/heard but it's nowhere true.....aluminum is lighter than steel/iron. There could be some fact to the 'rumor' from engines developed by GM back in 60's/70's, but not all true at best. Today's aluminum engines are far superior to anything from back 'in the day'. The heads would go down before the block would, then pistons.....the pistons have 'iron sleeves' in cylinder walls. All aluminum engines are that (except sleeves-connecting rods-lifts-titanium).
Aluminum is lighter than steel/iron. So depends on size of engine as to weight saving. Thats also why Z06/ZR1 have aluminum frames as well as carbon fiber and balsa wood floors. I owned a '09 LS3 Z51 Roadster. I can tell you that it's far better engine than the 427 engine of the 60's....***in terms of performance*** as not to offend......it's power to weight ratio outranks 'it's kin by 25-40% because of cube difference and material leading to further weight reductions as well. 427 cubes of iron/steel -vs- 378 cubes of mostly aluminum that makes equal ponies in it's base form. My advise is to read up and be informed instead of listening to rumors.
Aluminum is lighter than steel/iron. So depends on size of engine as to weight saving. Thats also why Z06/ZR1 have aluminum frames as well as carbon fiber and balsa wood floors. I owned a '09 LS3 Z51 Roadster. I can tell you that it's far better engine than the 427 engine of the 60's....***in terms of performance*** as not to offend......it's power to weight ratio outranks 'it's kin by 25-40% because of cube difference and material leading to further weight reductions as well. 427 cubes of iron/steel -vs- 378 cubes of mostly aluminum that makes equal ponies in it's base form. My advise is to read up and be informed instead of listening to rumors.
I wonder how much weight I would drop and how much performance I would gain if I yanked the old cast iron 265 ci engine and replaced it with a new aluminum 427 LS7?
Last edited by JoesC5; Jul 11, 2010 at 04:40 PM.
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everyone knows that GM has announced the all aluminum engine 5.5 L direct inj, 440hp motor for the C7. My question is what kind of weight savings are talking about with the alum block vs the LS3 and what are the draw backs? I was told tonight that alum blocks are trash if the car ever overheats. True?
