Aluminum Big Blocks?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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Aluminum Big Blocks?
I've been always dreaming about building my car using aluminum Big Block (and twin turbo set up would do no harm ;) ).
So my question is what will one gain using aluminum block? It would reduce weight quite a lot wouldn't it? How big is the weight difference between iron BB and aluminum BB? One big weight reduce would be in my wallet :lol: , so how much do these blocks cost? Where can you buy them?
If the engine over heats is that the end of story for aluminum block? What kind of internal parts should be used with aluminum block?
Well back to work now, Jay :cheers:
So my question is what will one gain using aluminum block? It would reduce weight quite a lot wouldn't it? How big is the weight difference between iron BB and aluminum BB? One big weight reduce would be in my wallet :lol: , so how much do these blocks cost? Where can you buy them?
If the engine over heats is that the end of story for aluminum block? What kind of internal parts should be used with aluminum block?
Well back to work now, Jay :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (groovyjay)
The only thing you'll really gain by using an aluminum block is about a 110 lb weight advantage and easier repairability. What you'll lose is about $2000 in increased cost, a slight loss in power due to the reduced stability and rigidity of the cylinder bores and mains, and slightly increased bearing wear.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
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From: WI
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (Monty)
Monty,
For the "average" street car i agree, but for my racer 80-90 lbs (i run a sb now) is alot to take off the front end and considering the sprint car guys spend $80 a pound on titanium bolts the $4800 cost of a block is (not exactly) cheap but when you get to a point where there is really nothing left to do to your car ( i`m there) what do you do?? I just need to convince my two daughters they really don`t need to go to college !!!
(J/K about the college thing) ...redvetracr
For the "average" street car i agree, but for my racer 80-90 lbs (i run a sb now) is alot to take off the front end and considering the sprint car guys spend $80 a pound on titanium bolts the $4800 cost of a block is (not exactly) cheap but when you get to a point where there is really nothing left to do to your car ( i`m there) what do you do?? I just need to convince my two daughters they really don`t need to go to college !!!
(J/K about the college thing) ...redvetracr
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (groovyjay)
I have an Aluminum Big Block in my C4. 680hp/670lbs, 9.5 compression, hydraulic roller cam. It weights 3000lbs with full interior and big brakes. Check it out @ www.3cracing.com . All of the parts are stock BB parts, except the oil pan. I road race the car and the aluminum block dissipates heat faster than steel. To get this kind of power from a SB I would have had to install turbos or a supercharger. They both generate a lot of heat and it would be drag only. The most expensive part of installing a BB in a C4 is installing a BB in a C4. I was lucking, Kim Baker had started building a BB C4 for someone and the guy changed his mind. Kim had custom headers, modified front crossmember, radiator, radiator cover, modified fuel pickup and the brackets of the front dress(I used March instead). Kim sold me the stuff pretty cheap, he was going out of business.
Safety Car
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From: Little Elm TX
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (555ciC4)
Larry Hofer, the owner of "The Corvette Shop" in San Diego has a 427 aluminum big block bored and stroked to 484 cubic inches and was his daily driver in his 86 C4 for years.... however he told me yesterday that he pulled the aluminum block and installed a GM 502 because the aluminum block was "Too much maintenance"..... I was racing, so I didn't get a chance to elborate on. But if you want more information call Larry at the Corvette Shop.
As a side note, his new toy is a fuel injected 502 stuffed into his daily driven C5 !!!! Wow !!! Not sure how practical that is, but its gotta be a hoot to drive and of course not the mainstream, which hot rodders such as myself love.
cheers,
Beach Bum
As a side note, his new toy is a fuel injected 502 stuffed into his daily driven C5 !!!! Wow !!! Not sure how practical that is, but its gotta be a hoot to drive and of course not the mainstream, which hot rodders such as myself love.
cheers,
Beach Bum
Safety Car
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From: Little Elm TX
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (555ciC4)
Yeah, they did, probably about 3 years ago or so..... it was a sweet set-up, with the aluminum block his weight was the same and even less than the iron small block... and with his self fabricated fi manifold, he was able to still run fuel injection and clear the stock hood..... pretty neat stuff. He's done at least 4 other C4 Big Blocks that I know off....
Beach
Beach
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (Beach Bum)
August 1998. It was a 484ci with 385hp and 408 lbs-ft of torque at the rear wheels. Ran 11.49 @ 120.28mph. Weighted 3500 pounds. 10.8:1 compression. Still have the article.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (555ciC4)
555ciC4: Cool car!! Mind sharing where you got those kick azz CF valve covers and how much they were? I really want the beautiful GMPP Aluminum ones, but they're $330. I was hoping the CF ones would at least be less expensive.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
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From: Little Elm TX
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (555ciC4)
August 1998. It was a 484ci with 385hp and 408 lbs-ft of torque at the rear wheels. Ran 11.49 @ 120.28mph. Weighted 3500 pounds. 10.8:1 compression. Still have the article.
later
Beach
Instructor
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From: Springfield VA
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
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Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (Monty)
Monty: Thanks for your reply. Have you ever considered going for aluminum SB for your project? 110lb equals to about 50kg's right? I think that would make big difference for me. I take the car for good abusing every now and then but not on every day basis, so things like bearing ware etc. don't concern me all that much. I just want the car to be as light as possible.
redvetrcr: Point well made. I know I could start ripping out my interior etc. but getting all the weight possible from the front sounds like a better idea. I'm still dreaming about that Guldstrand set-up, I'll let you know if get enough money together.
[Modified by groovyjay, 7:12 AM 3/5/2002]
redvetrcr: Point well made. I know I could start ripping out my interior etc. but getting all the weight possible from the front sounds like a better idea. I'm still dreaming about that Guldstrand set-up, I'll let you know if get enough money together.
[Modified by groovyjay, 7:12 AM 3/5/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (groovyjay)
It all depends on how much power you want to make. 680 horsepower from a normally aspirated small block could be pretty radical. There are inexpense ways to drop weight. Your battery weights about 38lbs, I'm using 7lbs battery. Depending on which seats you have they could weight over 40lbs each. I have 8lbs seats. Just between the battery and seats you can save almost 100lbs. All for less than $500.
Good luck!
[Modified by 555ciC4, 1:22 PM 3/5/2002]
Good luck!
[Modified by 555ciC4, 1:22 PM 3/5/2002]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (555ciC4)
555ciC4: WOW!!! What ride you got there, true piece of art. I just spend some time on you web site and I'm speechless. What kind of FI unit are you using? Looks like you got AC compressor there as well, is that sanden 508?
I would really appriciate if you could school me on the "DIET" issue. Where can I get that battery, what kind of seats are those you're using? I'm thinking about going for CF Recaros myself. :cheers:
I would really appriciate if you could school me on the "DIET" issue. Where can I get that battery, what kind of seats are those you're using? I'm thinking about going for CF Recaros myself. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (groovyjay)
I personally think the aluminum BB rock, and if I ever get done with college I will build one. I think Rodeck or Donovan blocks are a better choice than the GM one, but am not really sure on the cost of them.
Mark B.
Mark B.
Instructor
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (groovyjay)
http://www.performancedistributors.com/batteries.htm for the battery, they says is 13lbs. I weight it and is was less than that. http://www.jazproducts.com/index2.htm for the polyethylene seats, 12lbs with covers. The CF Recaros are expensive and I had a hard time get a seat(Recaro or Spearco) that would fit in the car. The C4's have a narrow area for the seats.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (Sigforty)
Sigforty: Do you have any web links where I could learn lore about these aluminum blocks?
555ciC4: Thanks for the links, I'll look into them! Sounds like I could loose a lot of weight here!
555ciC4: Thanks for the links, I'll look into them! Sounds like I could loose a lot of weight here!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (groovyjay)
Here is some of the informations for the companies.
Rodeck Aluminum Blocks
2134 Tractor Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-6040
Donovan Engineering — aluminum SBC and BBC
2305 Border Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 320-3772
World Products http://www.worldcastings.com/tech/wp...lock_chevy.pdf
Mark B.
Rodeck Aluminum Blocks
2134 Tractor Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-6040
Donovan Engineering — aluminum SBC and BBC
2305 Border Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 320-3772
World Products http://www.worldcastings.com/tech/wp...lock_chevy.pdf
Mark B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
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From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Aluminum Big Blocks? (groovyjay)
Groovy,
When I first built my SBC 427, I considered the Dart aluminum version of my block, they even offer it with a 9.500" deck height! However, for what I am trying to do - make maximum power while retaining a high level of reliability and durability - I felt the iron block was the way to go. The iron block offer a power and durability advantage, while the aluminum blocks offer a weight savings and repairability advantage.
When I first built my SBC 427, I considered the Dart aluminum version of my block, they even offer it with a 9.500" deck height! However, for what I am trying to do - make maximum power while retaining a high level of reliability and durability - I felt the iron block was the way to go. The iron block offer a power and durability advantage, while the aluminum blocks offer a weight savings and repairability advantage.