Big Block Chev Block: Iron vs. Aluminum

[vetski179]

I'm in the planning stages of a 540. Considering an aluminum block & heads. A friend who definitely knows his stuff says the aluminum block would not be the way to go on a street driven vehicle, which this engine would be in. To quote him, he said the aluminum block would "move around". I would counter with the fact that the new LS small blocks are all aluminum. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[photovette]

The ZL1 aluminum 427 engine block (improved) is again available direct from GM. I've seen it priced at about $5500 (bare block). I think this would make an ideal street engine. I know my 'vette has been asking for it.

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpartsjsp/partdetail.jsp?cat=9336&sku=12370850&section=Engine%20Parts

 

[Last Stingrays]

ZL1

I don't understand the moving around comment, but i do know that an allum. engine would be great in a vette because the vette is so lite and a alum. engine would be the ticket to feather weight corvette. The only thing that i would be concerned about useing alum. for the street is the chance of heat. overheating an alum. engine could be fatal. i woulden't get to excited if the project is done with perfection as the goal your vette would be an unique build.

Vince

 

[jldecke]

I think the "moving around" he's talking about is the expansion and contraction that a lot of aftermarket blocks do. I've seen this in some aftermarket aluminum blocks before. The GM ZL1 is probally one of the better castings around. Do your homework on this before you spend alot of money. The LS engine family is built by GM and has had millions of dollars and thousands of hours invested in it to make the package work. Good luck and i'm sure any 540 rat engine will be cool in your vette.

 

[grumpyvette]

http://www.worldcastings.com/docs/05_cat_pg7.pdf

Ive been researching aluminum bbc blocks and costs, you may want to know that these blocks are available in several configs from SUMMIT RACING at about $3800

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=083111&searchinresults=false&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&N=115&target=egnsearch.asp&x=31&y=6

as to moving around??? they used aluminum blocks in 800hp road racing corvettes for many years, not only do the work, when you screw up they can be repaired simply buy a skilled machine shop with welding and machining, something that nearly impossiable with an iron block