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Cast iron or Aluminum?

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Old Mar 18, 2002 | 05:31 PM
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Default Cast iron or Aluminum?

Going with a supercharged 422. Should I have them use a cast iron or aluminum block? I will be running about 10-12 psi through a D-1.
thanks
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Old Mar 18, 2002 | 10:12 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

you know i was think ing the same thing. i believe you want to go with an iron block cuz it will handle the boost better. i am thinkin on building and old school with the iron block. he if you can email me with the info on where you are gettin yours from. i am lookin for a larg cube. blower motor and your idea was exactly what i was thinking..

but i would have to say the iron block that is why you cannot go with alot of bost on stock ls1's
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Old Mar 18, 2002 | 11:26 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Do you really want to add the weight of an iron block??

The issues with boost levels are not block related at this point.

I'm still using an aluminum block for my build up, stock cubes too.

All numbers to date are stock motor, valve covers to oil pan
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Old Mar 18, 2002 | 11:32 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by SStrokedTNTLS1:
<strong>Going with a supercharged 422. Should I have them use a cast iron or aluminum block? I will be running about 10-12 psi through a D-1.
thanks</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">sENSE YOUR SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY ON YOUR TOY THEN GO WITH THE ALUMINUM BLOCK.Less weight and it should be plenty strong with the beefed up internals.
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Old Mar 18, 2002 | 11:32 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by y2khawk:
<strong>Do you really want to add the weight of an iron block??

The issues with boost levels are not block related at this point.

I'm still using an aluminum block for my build up, stock cubes too.

All numbers to date are stock motor, valve covers to oil pan</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">what if youre tryin to see 7-800 rwhp tho mine is not goin in an f-bod tho.
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Old Mar 18, 2002 | 11:40 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Torquepimp:
<strong>what if youre tryin to see 7-800 rwhp tho mine is not goin in an f-bod tho.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I am <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

a wimpy 348 cu. in. and 8.7:1 CR.
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 07:10 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Y2KHAWK; what are your mods? All of the sponsors on the right are telling me to go with cast iron except for 2 of them. I just want to make sure that it will be as durable as possible.I should be sealing the deal within the next couple of days w/ FASTech.It really seems that they know what they are doing and they are not to far from me!
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 09:48 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

To date I had:
Incon Kit at 10#
single intank Walbro 255 l/hr
SVO 42 injectors
Returning fuel rail w/ manifold ref. regulator
Tuning

To hold the driveline together:
DTS 12 bolt
3" chromoly drive shaft
RAM clutch

Do what you want to do, but I personally don't see a reason (yet) to add another 60 to 70 lbs to the front of the car. Haven't seen any broken blocks yet, and any head sealing issues are a function of the head deck thickness right now. Not block strenght as far as i can tell

Time will tell i guess, as there are a bunch of big power/big boost cars starting to pop up
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 09:53 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Whats this I hear about the aluminum heads warping around the head bolts with psi's above #15? is there a way to fix that, do they have iron heads? or how would you reamady this?
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 10:04 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

What about running an aluminum block w/cast iron heads? I am investing alot of money in this and want it to be right. I want well over 700 rwh with the charger and nitrous;just want to make sure the longblock will hold it! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 10:48 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

ARE & Lingenfelter just came out with an upgrade to their Boost Gasket. LPE uses them on their Twin Turbo. The gasket was pretty good already but now has a better O-Ring inside the MLS rubber coated gasket.

I think Nick knows. The gasket was pretty good already, but is even better within the last month now.

Head Studs should be a pre-req.
Ask about this one:
NEW HP MLS 1.45mm/.057" High Performance Ringed Boost Gasket

<small>[ March 19, 2002, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: MelloYellow ]</small>
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 01:05 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

I'm jus ta novice, but, to me, replacing the Aluminum block with an iron block is a step backwards.

That's just a feeling, though.

I'm sure the guys doing it have good reasons...
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 02:05 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

I just got off the phone with one of Procharger's reps. He told me that the D1 would not support the amount of horsepower that a 422 would put out and run 12 psi.He said the 422 would probobly be @ about 600 hp at the motor and the supercharger was only capable of 900 hp. Any suggestions?
thatnks
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 04:51 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Is it just the structural integrity of the iron block that makes it better over the Aluminum block, or other things... educate me, please. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Old Mar 19, 2002 | 11:54 PM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Derrick, thats gonna be an awesome setup. Let us know when your hitting the streets. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Old Mar 20, 2002 | 12:00 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Black LS1 T/A:
<strong>Is it just the structural integrity of the iron block that makes it better over the Aluminum block, or other things... educate me, please. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">While the aluminum block is very strong, I've heard that it just does not have the internal strength to support decent or large amounts of boost from blowers like the iron block can. Just from my personal experience, the LT1 seems to hold up better to boost than the LS1 does, assuming both motors are built up properly with the right compression ratio to handle big boost levels. Stock for stock, I don't think it would really matter since you'd be taking a risk either way. Some motors will just last longer than others, even on more boost(as strange as that seems). I could be wrong on some of this, but its just what I've heard. Now as far as specifics, I'll leave that to someone else. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Mike
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Old Mar 20, 2002 | 06:47 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 2000LS1Z28:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Black LS1 T/A:
<strong>Is it just the structural integrity of the iron block that makes it better over the Aluminum block, or other things... educate me, please. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">While the aluminum block is very strong, I've heard that it just does not have the internal strength to support decent or large amounts of boost from blowers like the iron block can. Just from my personal experience, the LT1 seems to hold up better to boost than the LS1 does, assuming both motors are built up properly with the right compression ratio to handle big boost levels. Stock for stock, I don't think it would really matter since you'd be taking a risk either way. Some motors will just last longer than others, even on more boost(as strange as that seems). I could be wrong on some of this, but its just what I've heard. Now as far as specifics, I'll leave that to someone else. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Mike</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Name one guy with a broken aluminum block, from too much HP.
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Old Mar 20, 2002 | 10:25 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Didn't "Mr. Incon " <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" /> have an 1100fwhp LS1, and wasn't the concensus that if you spin it less than 6k rpm, plus or minus, the stock block was OK?

Also, didn't valvegod stop selling engines with spun bearings because often times the block was damaged and could'nt be repaired? To me that is a sign once the engine hiccups, aluminum blocks are more vulnerable.
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Old Mar 20, 2002 | 11:30 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Well, I finalized a deal with Jason over at Goldenwest. We will be going with a cast iron block and LS6 heads.The D1 will not support the power that I want, so Jason will be using an F1R kit from Procharger.Jason has been very helpful in helping me choose what I need.This should be putting out roughly about 800-900 rwhp.
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Old Mar 21, 2002 | 12:08 AM
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Default Re: Cast iron or Aluminum?

Given any thought to the engine control??

I sure hope so <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />
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