Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Aluminum or iron?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 01:01 AM
  #1  
HAMRHEAD's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Default Aluminum or iron?

Would it be better to go with an iron block if I plan on using a supercharger or Turbo setup with high psi? Or would the LS6 block work OK? If I don't use a turbo or blower I will be using 2-300 shot of N2O as well.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 01:16 AM
  #2  
FASTONE's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 0
From: Foley, Alabama-southern Alabama
Default

The ls6 block is no stronger then the ls1 block.Ironblock is much stronger.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 06:29 AM
  #3  
10.5 Dave's Avatar
7 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 0
From: Grove City Ohio/Port Washington L.I sometimes
Default

Originally Posted by FASTONE
The ls6 block is no stronger then the ls1 block.Ironblock is much stronger.
The only negative of the iron block is the extra 105 lbs.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 07:08 AM
  #4  
Raise's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, Va
Default

i hear if ur gonna go over 500 rwhp...then it is a very good idea to have that stronger bottom end.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 09:29 PM
  #5  
sawedoff's Avatar
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
Default

If your machine work is high quality and the builder knows what they are doing, you shouldn't have any problems with the aluminum block. They've been used in racing for many years long before the LS1 series came along, and they go for mega bucks. There's all kinds of positives with an aluminum case. I'd go with the aluminum case. It's all in the prep work.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 10:18 PM
  #6  
taqwache's Avatar
10 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 4
From: H-town
Default

iron block here. only because i have seen aluminum blocks crack sleeves in person. but honestly if i had the money, i would do a datron sleeved aluminum block.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2004 | 01:11 AM
  #7  
y2khawk's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 1
From: Olmsted Falls, OH
Default

Aluminum block here, stock caps, and stock crank.

Still waiting to see how much it'll take
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2004 | 07:09 AM
  #8  
HAMRHEAD's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Default

Well, if it helps my goal is gonna be about 800 rwhp. Not real sure of what set up I want yet and the first step is picking the block. I like the C5R but it is quite expensive. I thought about a LS6 block with Darton sleeves, or an iron block? Just don't know. So far I'm leaning towards a LS6 block.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 02:55 PM
  #9  
TAGOES11S's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Niles, Michigan
Default

If your looking for 800 hp you better not be on a limited budget. And if your not highly experience in engine buidling then just pull out a big bank roll and call one of the many speed shops and they will tell you what you need and build it for you. There is also not a stock componet in the drivetrain that can handle the power so you need seriously built car to handle that power too.

Dan 99 T/A 10.60 @ 129 on 555 hp.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 03:15 PM
  #10  
HAMRHEAD's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Default

Stock drivetrain, What's that? I already plan on having the whole bottom end built by an experienced engine shop. The rest is easy. I've done that all before just not the bottom. Not worried about money as I'm not the only one paying for it. My buddy and I are putting this thing together.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 05:16 PM
  #11  
beardWS6's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson,TX
Default

I`m thinking of going with a Iron block 455. And then a 200 shot to make it even sweeter!
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 07:23 PM
  #12  
Richiec77's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: I play with Sand!!
Default

CAll HPE. They definetly now what they are doing.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 08:19 PM
  #13  
sawedoff's Avatar
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by HAMRHEAD
Stock drivetrain, What's that? I already plan on having the whole bottom end built by an experienced engine shop. The rest is easy. I've done that all before just not the bottom. Not worried about money as I'm not the only one paying for it. My buddy and I are putting this thing together.
Then you need to get on the horn to Katech www.katechengines.com they have the know-how. Next to Pratt & Miller they have done alot of work for the C5R program. I would seriously recommend billet mains. They have them.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:53 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE