well it seems that the big thing is to yank out the 5.7 motor and put a 6.0 iron block, but considering that the 6.0 iron block is 100lbs heavier. so does the horse power to weight ratio get brought into play here. so what im saying is,
if you take a 5.7 rebuild it use stock rods use a .30 speed pro piston and rings arp rod bolts balance the rotating assembly keep in mind its the stock internals with a after market cam rebuild the 241-853 heads which ever it maybe possibly mill the heads.
now do the same to the 6.0, have you gained enough hp to justify the 100lbs of the 6.0.

 

???

 

What power level do you want to be at? the 6.0l iron block is cheaper and will take more abuse. IMHO the extra 100+ pounds isn't worth it un less your looking to make 800-1200hp. I also like the all aluminum engine look. If your not going to extreme power levels "high boost or a big shot of go gas", i would forge your ls1 and keep the light aluminun moter.

 

good feed back thanks
Ed

 

go aluminum

 

Most people that go with the 6.0 iron block make a 408 stroker motor which can easily make more than enough power to justify the weight gain. Plus the iron 408 is cheaper than an all aluminum 402 and and like stated above can take a lot more abuse than an aluminum block. But if you are staying stock cubes with either block than by all means stay with the aluminum .

 

The 6.0L iron block is only 65lbs heavier then an aluminum 5.7L block. Yes, I have weighed them. This equates to about 6.5 hp difference, if we go with the (racing) rule of thumb: 100lbs = 10hp

 

I totally agree with this statement. But to me part of the equation is the purpose of the car. All out drag go iron for sure.

I personally don't want the extra weight over the nose because I love to whip through the twstys and don't want to change the weight distribution. A big part of the reason our motors sit so far under the cowl is to improve front to back weight ratio thus handling characteristics and I am not willing to change this.

 

heres a twist to the question- exactly how much HP can the alluminum block take? ASSUMEING its got forged internals? What size shot?Hp held safely?

 

The aluminum blocks have been proven to handle 1000+ rwhp. They just wont last quite as long as an iron block.