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Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
#1609965
04/20/14 07:08 PM
04/20/14 07:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,523
Oakley CA
69charger440_6pa
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,523
Oakley CA
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Starting a 572 hemi build. Was wondering what people's opinions are on if the aluminum block is worth the $$ over the iron block?
Car will be naturally aspirated , mostly street car.
Thanks
1969 Charger R/T under construction
2014 Ram 3500 Cummins
2006 Corvette Z06
2015 Corvette Z06
2014 BMW M5
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: 69charger440_6pa]
#1609968
04/20/14 11:24 PM
04/20/14 11:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,675
Mt. Eden Ky.
Hemi Allstate
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,675
Mt. Eden Ky.
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The Short answer. I would do it again. 
1996 Ram 1500 Sport
1968 road runner
1952 Sears Allstate licensed, pump gas, Hemi 5.98 @ 115.73 1.33 60 ft. The best is yet to come. Painless Performance / Street RODDER magazine Top 100 for 2019
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: 69charger440_6pa]
#1609970
04/21/14 12:19 AM
04/21/14 12:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,591
Canton, Ohio
Sport440
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,591
Canton, Ohio
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Quote:
Starting a 572 hemi build. Was wondering what people's opinions are on if the aluminum block is worth the $$ over the iron block?
Car will be naturally aspirated , mostly street car.
Thanks
NOPE, you dont Need one. The Iron block is fine for you.
But, If your Funds are fine, and it wont hurt you. The aluminum block will be quite a cool Factor for you. But you dont need it. Not for a street car. 
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: Sport440]
#1609972
04/21/14 12:55 AM
04/21/14 12:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
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Difference in expansion rate between iron sleeves and aluminum block? That's a non-issue. Here's why: Iron sleeves have a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than the aluminum block, but they are closer to the fire. The block for the most part is a little hotter than the coolant, and the sleeves are hotter than the block. Those temperature differentials have to be there for the heat to flow out of the cylinder.
How would an iron cylinder that didn't expand as much as an aluminum block cause oil burning? That's hard for me to see. The reason that we have to run several thousandths of clearance between the aluminum pistons and the iron blocks is because the piston expands that much more. So unless you have an iron piston running in an aluminum bore, the hotter the engine gets the less clearance between piston and cylinder, meaning there is less chance of oil escaping.
Also, think of all the millions of aluminum block engines that have to pass emissions for 100,000 miles. If they tended to become oil burners they could never be certified, never be sold at all in the USA.
So here's the real issue - Money and weight. A stock 440 block weighs something like 220lb. A cast iron aftermarket block, at least the World Products cast ones, weigh 320 lb. An aluminum block may weigh 120 lb. So going from the iron to the aluminum aftermarket block will take about 200# off the front end of your car. That's quite a bit less mass to try to steer, accelerate and brake. If you can afford it, it's the way to go in my book. Add in the repairability of aluminum over cast iron and it's quite an advantage.
Sure you don't NEED it, but most of us don't NEED more than Slant 6 type power to get our cars from pt. A to pt. B, either.
R.
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: jim sciortino]
#1609974
04/21/14 09:15 AM
04/21/14 09:15 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,996
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,996
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
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If you like acceleration, then aluminum! That 100+ lbs off the nose is going to be worth it, even on the street where traction is more limited. The 1500 or so you save will soon be forgotten when you wish (like me ) you had gone aluminum!
8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: 69charger440_6pa]
#1609975
04/21/14 11:16 AM
04/21/14 11:16 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,387
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,387
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
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Quote:
Quote:
Yes....I would have one if I had saved a little more. I have a iron one instead. Would love an aluminum one. Any after market block you buy will give you some trouble, get it thru a dealer who will make it right if something is off.
Any recommendations for a good dealer? I asked a while back but didn't really get any responses.
Actually your from Ca, and KB is closest if you can allow for their lead time. They are probably the only one I would go direct with, but they not the fastest at filling your order. Great to deal with and will always make it right.
-Keith Black Racing Engines
If your looking at buying an Indy Hemi block and getting started a lot sooner, then I would recomend one of the following dealers:
-Bob George Racing
-For Hemis Only
-Ray Barton Racing Engines
-Muscle Motors
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: 69charger440_6pa]
#1609976
04/21/14 02:42 PM
04/21/14 02:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 655
Huntsville, AL
Airwoofer
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 655
Huntsville, AL
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Quote:
Quote:
Yes....I would have one if I had saved a little more. I have a iron one instead. Would love an aluminum one. Any after market block you buy will give you some trouble, get it thru a dealer who will make it right if something is off.
Any recommendations for a good dealer? I asked a while back but didn't really get any responses.
Bob Mazzolini. he is a CA racer so you should be able to pick up your block instead of getting it shipped. Buying an Indy block from him would be the only way, and you do not have to deal with Indy yourself. 
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: Airwoofer]
#1609977
04/21/14 03:37 PM
04/21/14 03:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
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After seeing these blocks first hand and speaking to them at the MATS I would not hesitate to buy one of these. In fact I will be ordering one here soon. http://www.hpperformancellc.com/ FWIW I have a KB and World aluminum block here and the next build will be with an HP block.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: Al_Alguire]
#1609980
04/21/14 08:21 PM
04/21/14 08:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,823
Wind Gap,Pa.
Sammy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,823
Wind Gap,Pa.
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Quote:
After seeing these blocks first hand and speaking to them at the MATS I would not hesitate to buy one of these. In fact I will be ordering one here soon.
http://www.hpperformancellc.com/
FWIW I have a KB and World aluminum block here and the next build will be with an HP block.
Wow, They look nice. Do they have any in stock. Do they have raised cam blocks too? 
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: Sammy]
#1609981
04/21/14 09:10 PM
04/21/14 09:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
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STD cam, Raised cam, big cam journal. pushrod oil, etc they can pretty much do whatever you want. Looks like very nice pieces in person. They have WAY more cylinder wall thickness than Indy for sure. Saw a cut away version and look much better than the indy or world stuff as well. Plus they incorporate some other cool features. They have a short lead time for traditional type stuff, believe they told me 2-3 weeks but don't quote me on that.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: Building 572 hemi. Is aluminum block worth the $$?
[Re: Al_Alguire]
#1609983
04/21/14 09:32 PM
04/21/14 09:32 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026
Trumbull,CT.
jim sciortino
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026
Trumbull,CT.
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Quote:
STD cam, Raised cam, big cam journal. pushrod oil, etc they can pretty much do whatever you want. Looks like very nice pieces in person. They have WAY more cylinder wall thickness than Indy for sure. Saw a cut away version and look much better than the indy or world stuff as well. Plus they incorporate some other cool features. They have a short lead time for traditional type stuff, believe they told me 2-3 weeks but don't quote me on that.
Good to know...
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I'm sure now with all the LS3 and up LS Chevy motors out there that have aluminum blocks that you can make a aluminum block motor not smoke from oil consumption 
But I do know you can make more power and have a longer ring seal life with iron blocks compared to aluminum street blocks 
