Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Chesterton, IN
Re: Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum? My thoughts are that the aluminum is going to be better in the areas of heat dissipation (important in a high output motor) and weight (important in a race car) but the iron will probably have better sleves. This is just a guess based on all the horror stories I've heard about re-sleving aluminum blocks. IMHO, the AL block should beat the snot out of the FE block performance-wise due to the heat alone.
Re: Choosing a 422, 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 Gag_Halfront:
<strong>My thoughts are that the aluminum is going to be better in the areas of heat dissipation (important in a high output motor) and weight (important in a race car) but the iron will probably have better sleves. This is just a guess based on all the horror stories I've heard about re-sleving aluminum blocks. IMHO, the AL block should beat the snot out of the FE block performance-wise due to the heat alone.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So far we have...
-PROs for Aluminum
--Heat Dissapation
--Less weight--Anyone know how much more the Iron 6.0 blocks weigh compared to the aluminum? Isn't the LS1 like 40 pounds lighter than a LT1, I guess that could give us a rough idea.
-Cons for Aluminum
--Potentially a weaker motor due to the fact aluminum is a softer metal? Essentially a "throw away motor" as a friend once referred to an aluminum motor as.
-PROs for Iron
--Stronger than Aluminum
--Can be resleeved safely
--Theoretically should hold up to abuse better
--Cheaper than Aluminum
-Cons for Iron
--Weighs >40lbs more then aluminum
--Heat soak
Man, now that I sit down and think about this myself I kinda answered my own questions lol -- it looks like we will all have to decide which is the best for our cars based upon what we have listed here.
If anyone else has any Pros/Cons that I have not listed post'em up
<small>[ November 07, 2002, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: CamaroSS_2002 ]</small>
<strong>My thoughts are that the aluminum is going to be better in the areas of heat dissipation (important in a high output motor) and weight (important in a race car) but the iron will probably have better sleves. This is just a guess based on all the horror stories I've heard about re-sleving aluminum blocks. IMHO, the AL block should beat the snot out of the FE block performance-wise due to the heat alone.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So far we have...
-PROs for Aluminum
--Heat Dissapation
--Less weight--Anyone know how much more the Iron 6.0 blocks weigh compared to the aluminum? Isn't the LS1 like 40 pounds lighter than a LT1, I guess that could give us a rough idea.
-Cons for Aluminum
--Potentially a weaker motor due to the fact aluminum is a softer metal? Essentially a "throw away motor" as a friend once referred to an aluminum motor as.
-PROs for Iron
--Stronger than Aluminum
--Can be resleeved safely
--Theoretically should hold up to abuse better
--Cheaper than Aluminum
-Cons for Iron
--Weighs >40lbs more then aluminum
--Heat soak
Man, now that I sit down and think about this myself I kinda answered my own questions lol -- it looks like we will all have to decide which is the best for our cars based upon what we have listed here.
If anyone else has any Pros/Cons that I have not listed post'em up
<small>[ November 07, 2002, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: CamaroSS_2002 ]</small>
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Re: Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum? My decision to go with the ironblock is primarily b/c it is more durable than a resleeved aluminum block and i won't have the worry about a sleeve dropping that has happended to quite a few unfortunate souls the last 2 years or so. Also, will be more durable and take abuse much better over the long haul and if your going to spray or use other FI then the durabilty imho is HUGE. Not to mention its a least 1000.00 to 1,500 cheaper.
Also, the head mechanic at FLP, told me that the ironblock would make more power b/c of the heat retention as a combustion engine will make more power with more internal heat, etc. Just something to think about.
MTI 427 Roadster <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Also, the head mechanic at FLP, told me that the ironblock would make more power b/c of the heat retention as a combustion engine will make more power with more internal heat, etc. Just something to think about.
MTI 427 Roadster <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Re: Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum? Iron block:
con- adds 80-100lbs, not 40!
pro- stronger deck, less distortion
pro- will take more detonation for sure
pro- cheaper cost to machine block
I run a 6.0 block bored .060 over stroked to a 422ci.
con- adds 80-100lbs, not 40!
pro- stronger deck, less distortion
pro- will take more detonation for sure
pro- cheaper cost to machine block
I run a 6.0 block bored .060 over stroked to a 422ci.
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Re: Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum? If you are worried about heat soak, get an electric water pump and larger radiator. As far as weight, opt for chromemoly k-member and control arms to drop 80lbs off the nose. I would go with the iron block.
Re: Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum? K-member and control arms only takes off 40 to be exact , Look at some of the record ls1 leaders as they aren't afraid to use a all aluminum ls1 block... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 246
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From: Plano, TX
Re: Choosing a 422, 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 CamaroSS_2002:
-PROs for Iron
--Stronger than Aluminum
--Can be resleeved safely
--Theoretically should hold up to abuse better
--Cheaper than Aluminum
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Can be resleeved safely??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Iron blocks don't have "sleeves", The block is made entirely of cast iron, not aluminum with cast iron sleeves.
-PROs for Iron
--Stronger than Aluminum
--Can be resleeved safely
--Theoretically should hold up to abuse better
--Cheaper than Aluminum
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Can be resleeved safely??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Iron blocks don't have "sleeves", The block is made entirely of cast iron, not aluminum with cast iron sleeves.
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Re: Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum? VX SS:
As we speak MTI is building me a LQ4 427 Ironblock stroker bored 4.060". Assuming no spray or other forced induction, but otherwise hard driving, when would you expect my ironblock have to be resleeved b/c of the wear that you mention in your reply to this post.
THanks,
MTI 427 Roadster <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
As we speak MTI is building me a LQ4 427 Ironblock stroker bored 4.060". Assuming no spray or other forced induction, but otherwise hard driving, when would you expect my ironblock have to be resleeved b/c of the wear that you mention in your reply to this post.
THanks,
MTI 427 Roadster <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Re: Choosing a 422, Iron or Aluminum? Probably wouldn't need to resleeve an iron block unless you racked up 30k miles a year for the next 10 years.
I know it's not a big PRO, but it is a PRO.
From my understanding most aluminum blocks have to be re-sleeved once they are bored out. I could be wrong though.
I know it's not a big PRO, but it is a PRO.
From my understanding most aluminum blocks have to be re-sleeved once they are bored out. I could be wrong though.