Aluminum vs Iron block?
#1880817
07/29/15 03:15 PM
07/29/15 03:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 163 Florida
Spartan040
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When I finally build the 440/512 stroker for the Challenger I'm planning out, I'm debating between using the original iron block, or an aftermarket aluminum block. I'm not planning to put this thing over 600-650 horsepower, and it will be mainly used as a roadtrip/occasional daily driver/occasional weekend at the track car. My questions are, with those things in mind, will an aluminum block hold up as well as iron? How do the two compare in terms of longevity and reliability? Also, are the weight savings worth the extra money in terms of performance and handling? Also, if doing a 512 stroker kit in an aluminum block, would that entail boring out the cylinders? If so, would I need larger iron sleeves, and where would I get those?
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Re: Aluminum vs Iron block?
[Re: dogdays]
#1880864
07/29/15 03:48 PM
07/29/15 03:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 163 Florida
Spartan040
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If this is a once-in-a-lifetime build do it right and spend the extra couple of thousands for a block that won't break. There are plenty of posts on this topic.
Most aluminum blocks have cast iron cylinders so wear shouldn't be an issue. And even the OEM blocks with spray-in liners have to last 100K or more.
R. I don't know if it's going to be a once in a lifetime build, but it is probably going to be a once in 10-20 years build. I will probably go with the aluminum block. The question about boring out the cylinders remains though, if I have to do a little bit of boring for the stroker kit, will there be an issue with the cast iron sleeves of the cylinder being too thin?
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Re: Aluminum vs Iron block?
[Re: Spartan040]
#1880870
07/29/15 03:57 PM
07/29/15 03:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,237 North Central, Indiana
Roughbird72
pro stock
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pro stock
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Lol, I'm glad my posts have been interesting to you guys as of late just being a s....a.. the wait time on an aftermarket block may take awhile. If you have the time & money to order & wait for an aluminum block you will probably be better off.
72 Plymouth Roadrunner 11.08@123.25
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Re: Aluminum vs Iron block?
[Re: Spartan040]
#1880892
07/29/15 04:22 PM
07/29/15 04:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,376 Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda
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I Live Here
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Marion, South Carolina [><]
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A 512 kit doesn't need a big bore, so the sleeves won't be an issue. KB will ask you what bore size you want and use a sleeve that will still have room to grow. Mine is 4.500" bore and has the ability to go to 4.530". Your 512" will probably only be 4.375" bore.
The only real downside to an aluminum block is the initial cost.
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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Re: Aluminum vs Iron block?
[Re: an8sec70cuda]
#1880905
07/29/15 04:51 PM
07/29/15 04:51 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 163 Florida
Spartan040
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A 512 kit doesn't need a big bore, so the sleeves won't be an issue. KB will ask you what bore size you want and use a sleeve that will still have room to grow. Mine is 4.500" bore and has the ability to go to 4.530". Your 512" will probably only be 4.375" bore.
The only real downside to an aluminum block is the initial cost. Awesome! Thank you
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Re: Aluminum vs Iron block?
[Re: Spartan040]
#1881280
07/30/15 01:07 AM
07/30/15 01:07 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,243 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
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I Win
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Bend,OR USA
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Last edited by Cab_Burge; 07/30/15 01:47 PM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Aluminum vs Iron block?
[Re: Spartan040]
#1882840
08/01/15 01:35 PM
08/01/15 01:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,928 NC
440Jim
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If you want to keep the CID to just over 500, order the bore and stroke to match. You can even build a 4.44" bore.
528 CID = 4.500^2 * 3.14/4 * 8 * 4.150" stroke
511 CID = 4.375^2 * 3.14/4 * 8 * 4.250" stroke 512 CID = 4.380^2 * 3.14/4 * 8 * 4.250" stroke 526 CID = 4.440^2 * 3.14/4 * 8 * 4.250" stroke 540 CID = 4.500^2 * 3.14/4 * 8 * 4.250" stroke
541 CID = 4.375^2 * 3.14/4 * 8 * 4.500" stroke
Last edited by 440Jim; 08/01/15 01:40 PM.
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