aluminum blocks

[c a m a r o]

are there any other aluminum blocks besides ls1/lt1?

[454Casull]

There are hundreds of kinds.

[krebs128]

the new ecotec in gm cars, 2.2L, prolly not what you're looking for though.

[FYRHWK1]

many, but the LT1 isn't aluminum, it's iron.

[krebs128]

they make some lt1/ls1 of alumium, and some of iron-but you've gotta go w/ the iron block of course. especially when you're getting up to 600hp, alumium is light and great and all but it just can't handle power like that.

[454Casull]

Originally Posted by krebs128

they make some lt1/ls1 of alumium, and some of iron-but you've gotta go w/ the iron block of course. especially when you're getting up to 600hp, alumium is light and great and all but it just can't handle power like that.

What are you smoking?

[carguyinok]

are there any other aluminum blocks besides ls1/lt1?

Are you talking about the LT5 ?

[FYRHWK1]

Originally Posted by krebs128

they make some lt1/ls1 of alumium, and some of iron-but you've gotta go w/ the iron block of course. especially when you're getting up to 600hp, alumium is light and great and all but it just can't handle power like that.

There are numberous LS1s on tsock internals doing over 600 HP firstly, secondly there are many doing more on the stock block with rebuilds. The 1100 HP lingenfelter TT utilizes an aluminum block as well, there is no issue with holding power.

And there was never an aluminum LT1, ever. Not the LT1, not the LT4 either, they are all iron block. A certain few had aluminum heads, the performance versions, and some had iron, more for hte caprice lineup and such, but none have ever had aluminum blocks.

[krebs128]

ok, FYRHWK1 you're right, they didn't make aluminum LT1's and i'm sry for openning my mouth before i completely knew about it. but i still stand by aluminum LS1's, you can even buy them here: http://www.cmotorsports.com/engine/l...teengines.html but i never said anything about redoing the internals oh any engine, so i'm kinda lost on that. but i would still reccommend iron blocks over aluminum b/c the bottom line is they're stronger.

[FYRHWK1]

Alumium blocks can handle more power then any streetable car can put to the ground, iron blocks are no longer needed for their strength characteristics, they're still used because it costs less to produce them.

[SaabJohan]

Originally Posted by FYRHWK1

Alumium blocks can handle more power then any streetable car can put to the ground, iron blocks are no longer needed for their strength characteristics, they're still used because it costs less to produce them.

This depends on what block you talk about; in general older cast iron blocks tend to be stronger than newer aluminum blocks (because of weight savings). Aluminum does also loose strength over time while a used iron block can be stronger than a new one.

[MustangRoadRacer]

seasoned iron is the real deal man.
Used iron blocks are great for turbo motors.
usually after about 50k the block is significantly stronger.

[c a m a r o]

yo mustang, is that a riced up mustang in ur signature?

and does aluminum make up for its strength with its weight? aluminum is like 40% lighter than iron. i thought aluminum would be more durable than iron.

[454Casull]

Durable? No... Aluminum has a lower fatigue strength.

[FYRHWK1]

Originally Posted by SaabJohan

This depends on what block you talk about; in general older cast iron blocks tend to be stronger than newer aluminum blocks (because of weight savings). Aluminum does also loose strength over time while a used iron block can be stronger than a new one.

True, it has no minimal stress failure like iron and steel do, so even the smallest vibration can kill it over time, but they've been used for years now, even before new forging and metals technology came around, and many are still running with hundreds of thousands of miles on them. Sure they're stronger, but when has anyone here seen a newer aluminum block fail? I can't say I've heard of one myself.