Any aftermarket parts maker out there looking to standout with products possessing the extra edge, I'm just giving a plug for aluminum-lithium. Maybe we'll see such materials overtake aluminum in engine blocks, chassis, etc. for future Corvettes.

This is F1 tech stuff. Aluminum lithium has equivalent properties to aluminum with 6% lower density and useful gain in stiffness. For each 1% added to the aluminum-lithium composite, there's an improvement of 3% in density and 6% in stiffness.

There are tons of other materials too (each better suited to certain applications), which can make for interesting results, which I don't feel are discussed here too often. Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) pistons for example can be 25% lighter than the 2618 aluminum pistons used by many aftermarket Corvette applications, but have superior thermal conductivity and thermal expansion characteristics. Some of us know the numerous drawbacks (cold piston slap and oil consumption and in turn quick plug fouling and inconvenience of adding oil) of large clearances when running 2618 pistons.

Sumps made of heavy tungsten to lower CG are another example.

Are there any aftermarket street car parts makers making stuff with such materials? To most hot rodders, folks seek best cost-benefit route. But are always those few who go all out for a few % improvement, just because.

 

There is no benefit in lowering the Cg by adding mass other than to balance or dampen vibrations. Vette crankshafts are balanced with the stuff. You add lightness where ever possible on cars and aircraft.

 

There are many different versions of Aluminum Lithium depending on the alloying quantity of Li, Zn, Cu, Si, etc. The benefits over 6061 or 7075 are marginal though, and probably won't find wide application in automotive. If you have a really critical part in a demanding application, Al Li might help you get over the hump structurally. Certain jet engine cold section rotating parts come to mind.