All my engines are aluminum and I have seen NONE of those issues. But we also make sure everything is correct before we start, and yes checking sleeves is on the list. Never ASSume...FWIW my aluminum engines see 17+ inches of vacuum, never been an issue.  My KB block has been great. Comparable combos w/ iron blocks aren't any faster from what I've seen. I don't see a downside to aluminum other than initial cost. Blow it up once and it'll be way more expensive to run cast iron.  I built it in 2006, freshened it twice. Then went .010" over in 2019. Ran a new best this past weekend.
CHIP
'70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60
'69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60
'71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75
'73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75
'90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt
'06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
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