Gen 5 Camaro Internal Engine Tech - iron or aluminum

now just exclude any disgussion wheither or not the z28 will have the LS2,LS3, or 5.3L; lets just say that the only engine option in the z28 was the 5.3L. what would you prefer and why....an iron block aluminum head engine or an all aluminum engine. now from what i have read the iron blocks bare out weigh the aluminum blocks by only 80 lbs.

Honestly, other then the cost and amount of iron out there I see no reason for it to be used.

Aluminum has proven it self to be tough as nails, just like iron. It also weighs less!

For a lower production car like the camaro, I see no hints it'll be an iron motor. ESP being gms trend with the LSX motors. Asuming the new camaro gets one.

Iron blocks are so last millenium. Quasi-retro styling for the Camaro is OK. Retro tech is not.

All that extra weight above the front wheels, no thanks!!!

W

the aluminum i like it because of the weight. the iron i like because you can hot rod it (eg. bore it ). i see nothing wrong with an all iron engine because of what you can do with it. perhapse an aluminum block that has iron sleeves.

the engine more than likely be the LS4 modified back for RWD use.

iron blocks make more power than aluminium 2% to 3% on average.....

iron blocks make more power than aluminium 2% to 3% on average.....
Explain and back this please.

Iron blocks are for trucks, aluminum is what cars use. :)

the engine more than likely be the LS4 modified back for RWD use.
Bzzzt, guess again. :)

iron blocks make more power than aluminium 2% to 3% on average.....

That is like saying chicks with boob jobs are going to get hit on more. That just happens to happen.

W

Iron blocks are for trucks, aluminum is what cars use. :)


Bzzzt, guess again. :)

Really? I could have sworn CARS used iron block engines since time began and still do! I'll take the cheaper, sturdier iron block over the thermal abilities and marginal weight advantage of the aluminum any day....because I don't plan on taking my car to Le Mans anytime soon.:)

i agree. the main advantage to aluminum is weight. the thermal advantages to aluminum blocks.....don't matter if your iron engine uses aluminum heads.

the way i see it. i would reither have an iron engine because you can do more to it for less than you can with aluminum which i feel is a great trade off for gaining 80 lbs.

if you think about it you can make an iron LS1 out of an LM7 for cheaper than you can buy a used LS1 and have more HP and torque too; plus it would be stronger and out last the LS1.

iron has it

Hmmmmmmmmmm

For those of us that think a car should go in more than one direction. That extra 80 lbs of pig iron makes a big difference. AL block...IRS...sounds like my kinda car :)

W

Hmmmmmmmmmm

For those of us that think a car should go in more than one direction. That extra 80 lbs of pig iron makes a big difference. AL block...IRS...sounds like my kinda car :)

W

Is that muscle car blasphemy I hear?;)j/k

It'd make the car less expensive if they used iron blocks for everything but the mid-high and top model engines, excluding the sixes, therefore getting GM closer to actually rivaling the Mustang's price range. Plus, the using more iron blocks means that the Camaro can share engines with trucks and suv's, lowering the tooling costs once again. If GM really wants to use that aluminum, they should incorporate it into the car's structure and make it lighter.

Don't get me wrong, I like a good-handling car just as much as the next guy, but 80 lbs is not going to kill the base V8 cars' sales. Ask how many consumers know the advantages of all-alum vs Iron block w/alum heads and you'll get a bunch of blank stares. I say leave the aluminum for the Z/28 and possibly the Monster ZL1 we all are wishing for...

Look at it this way, the late 4th gens had alum engines and IRS and not that heavy at the scales, but still weren't absolutely stellar handlers. A Plymouth 'Cuda with the old all-iron(IIRC) 340ci and leaf springs out back would run circles around it stock for stock. Tell me again how an all-aluminum engine and IRS automatically make a car a good handler again?

To be honest, it all comes down to how well the manufacture tunes the suspension of the car. Hopefully GM works the same magic with the Camaro that they did with the GTO and G8....Holden DOES specialize in good suspension setups, so even if the car comes with an iron-block, I don't think there is much to worry about, our Camaro is in good hands!

4th gens did not have IRS, and a Plymouth Cuda would definetly not run anything resembling a circle around one.



About the comment regarding the LS4 being used in the Camaro, don't bet on it.

4th gens did not have IRS, and a Plymouth Cuda would definetly not run anything resembling a circle around one.



About the comment regarding the LS4 being used in the Camaro, don't bet on it.

Oops, my bad on the IRS, I could have swore I remembered something about IRS and wheel-hopping with the 4th-gens. Must have been thinking GTO for some reason...but....

You apparantly are too out of touch with the past to realize exactly what a performer the 'Cuda AAR was....as I recall, it was competing on the track with the original Z/28's and Boss Mustangs....fantastic handlers in their own right, but more importantly, RACE CARS, so don't dog on the 'Cuda!

I have seen Cuda's with modern suspension that could keep up with a 4th Gen. But they were a tad tail happy and rather sloppy through corners by modern standards. I have seen then run auto-x and they are just not up to modern par stock.

And yes it tis muscle car blasphemy!!! :)

W

You apparantly are too out of touch with the past to realize exactly what a performer the 'Cuda AAR was....as I recall, it was competing on the track with the original Z/28's and Boss Mustangs....fantastic handlers in their own right, but more importantly, RACE CARS, so don't dog on the 'Cuda!


You are apparently too out of touch with reality. A 4th gen fbody will make easy work of a old Cuda. A 4th gen fbody would make easy work of a 1st gen z28. There is no comparison to be had here.

You are apparently too out of touch with reality. A 4th gen fbody will make easy work of a old Cuda. A 4th gen fbody would make easy work of a 1st gen z28. There is no comparison to be had here.
Any 'Cuda with anything 340ci or bigger would be on par or better than most stock 4th-gens. You show me when a '93 Z28 out-guns a Hemi or even 440-6bbl equipped 'Cuda with decent tires. Argument over.

Road racing or auto-x is not about engines only, that is a smaller part than handling.

W

well...it seems to be a trend that the camaro uses a "vette" engine..and for the last 10yrs..the vettes been aluminum,lol

besides...in 02 the 4ths gens had aluminum blocks...why go backwards..although the 69 ZL1 had an aluminum 427,and they didn't stoick w/ it,lol bastads

Road racing or auto-x is not about engines only, that is a smaller part than handling.

W

But Auto-Xing a Camaro or 'Cuda is retarded. That's not what the car was made for and you know it! That's like trying to make a Honda a pure drag car.

Road-racing has never been the 4th-gen's forte', and admittedly, not exactly the 'Cuda's either. That makes them both straight-line cars(which you knew already... :) ) and that is how they should be judged.

I have full confidence in GM and their engineers to make a pretty decent-handling car regardless of the engine-block makeup. All I'm saying is that 80lbs of weight from an iron block is easily forgotten when the price tag is considerably lower....

Aluminum for sure. If I wanted an extra 100lbs on my front end I'd tie a midget to my front bumper.

Hopefully Aluminum