Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Why an Iron Block

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 05:41 AM
  #1  
Y2K WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Weston, WV
Default Why an Iron Block

I have done a search and didn't find my answer.

If building a 6 liter build up why an iron block instead of the aluminum 6.0

How much hp can the aluminum block hold.

or is it just expense in most cases ( which seems odd on guys building 15,000 engines that a $350 would make a difference)

Thanks !
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 05:46 AM
  #2  
NightMoves's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Anderson, SC
Default

Pluses = Stronger, can be bored, easier to find
Minuses = Adds about 50 Lbs.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 06:54 AM
  #3  
theblur98ss's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (71)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 0
From: East Brady, Pa
Default

I did iron because it was stronger. I think they're about 100lbs heavier though. Guys are still making huge power on aluminum blocks as well though.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 07:14 AM
  #4  
ls1290's Avatar
Dumb Ass Vette Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,281
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
Default

I went the LQ4 iron block for strength. Once you start to make some big power, there will start to be cylinder wall flex. I am anticipating I will just to getting into the range of big power, so I wanted to eliminate that possibility. I believe the weight difference is about 85 pounds. By the way, the entire A/C system on a C5 is about 75 pounds
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 07:19 AM
  #5  
BigRich954RR's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

Alum block I'd say about 1300hp is the limit. I've seen more.

When pushing engine to the max the iron will move around less. So its what you are willing to work with.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 07:21 AM
  #6  
cablebandit's Avatar
9 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,903
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland, OH
Default

i went iron for price. I would rather have had aluminum
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 08:12 AM
  #7  
BLNLS1/RX7's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 1
From: Fishers,IN.
Default

408 Iron Block so can run more boost.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #8  
SilverSS's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: North Pole
Default

I cracked my LS1 block banging the rev limiter one too many times with the meth still spraying. I'm going with an iron 6.0 block now for the peace of mind. I could care less about the extra weight.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 09:39 AM
  #9  
OUTLAWZ RACING's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 1
From: COLUMBUS GA.
Default

All Iron here just a stronger block IMHO but weight can be off set by a tublar k. Hell in GM high tech Six speed inc car runs a lq9 in their racer car its over 900+ hp. and they spin that thing to the mooon lol. Its amazing how a 700 dollar block can hould 1k hp.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:20 AM
  #10  
pwrtrip75's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 9
From: Janesville, WI
Default

Different metals expand differently with heat. I know aluminum will expand or grow more than iron. I do not know how this effects anything though with this exact block.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:21 AM
  #11  
99blancoSS's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (115)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,892
Likes: 3
From: ST Helens, OR
Default

Originally Posted by pwrtrip75
Different metals expand differently with heat. I know aluminum will expand or grow more than iron. I do not know how this effects anything though with this exact block.

ding ding ding Think bearings
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:58 AM
  #12  
MY99TAWS6's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 3
From: Kelowna,BC
Default

Also seen some higher hp builds in the old boosted lists running the iron block. LSX is of course also iron block for huge power. The 6.0 iron is cheaper also. It did add weight but like said you can offset some of that with things like lighter kmember and few other things.

I would think if every do another engine might go to the LSX if going to try to make really stupid power. I thought have seen the regular 6.0 take 1300 or so engine hp or maybe a bit more. Not sure if they were stock blocks or filled or whatever though.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:05 AM
  #13  
9secSS's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

An iron motor will make more power than the same exact setup on an aluminum block because of the bore distortion in the aluminum block which is something to keep in mind.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:49 AM
  #14  
WAHUSKER's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,448
Likes: 0
From: Marysville, WA
Default

Because you need the extra weight over the nose to hold the front end down. (see pics of Bobs Camaro on the EPP website)

Pros - All the things listed above plus no cyl sleeves to slip.

Cons - no place for the 3rd hole to mount the S/C bracket to the block (& you have to drill & tap the 2nd hole)
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 12:09 PM
  #15  
Phil99vette's Avatar
7 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,758
Likes: 9
From: Port Tobacco, MD
Default

How much power you trying to make? Iron + fill is your max effort for strength.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 12:44 PM
  #16  
Zombie's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas
Default

I went iron block because it was a lot cheaper at the time. My engine has been together since mid 2006 and has 200+ track passes and 8,000 miles on it.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 01:34 PM
  #17  
NemeSS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (127)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,889
Likes: 9
From: Houston,TX
Default

iron easier to find, bore, and cheaper, less case distortion.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 02:38 PM
  #18  
Y2K WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Weston, WV
Default

Thanks for all of the great replies guys! the metallurgy does make a lot of sence; less distortion easier to work on etc.

i'm planning either a 346 aluminum block or 370 iron block with an APS TT kit.




Originally Posted by Phil99vette
How much power you trying to make? Iron + fill is your max effort for strength.
I'm looking to go no more than 800 HP to the rears. Probabally for now about 6 since I don't drag race a lot.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 02:39 PM
  #19  
Phil99vette's Avatar
7 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,758
Likes: 9
From: Port Tobacco, MD
Default

One thing I was thinking about is on my setup, hypothecially IF I could use an Aluminum block to support 2k horsepower, not really sure if I would go that route because of weight, I have to add weight as it is.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:37 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE