I'm considering an aluminum RB block for my Challenger.
From my searching so far, it seems that the options are:
- Keith Black
- Bill Mitchell
- Indy

It looks as though Dart does not make an aluminum Chrysler block.

From multiple postings here, and elsewhere, KB makes a very nice part, but the odds of actually getting one are long, and indications are that he may not make it in business much longer.

Keeping in mind that it is internet complaining, there still seem to be a lot of negative reports on Bill Mitchell, both from Mopar and Chevy people.

I've dealt with Indy before, and understand some of the service issues, but I'm assuming they make a good block. They have that reputation.
Is the Indy block a race only piece? This will be going in a Pro-Touring car. I have read that the block only comes in a Hemi mount configuration.

Are these the only options, and are any of them any good?

Bob

Indy is probably the only option at this point. If it was me I'd call Best Machine and talk to them. They buy raw castings from Indy and do all of the finish machining on their own CNC equipment.

Bought my Indy block thru Bob George Racing....

I concur. Best is really doing great stuff with the Indy blocks.

Thanks, guys. Sounds good.

I'll give a call to Best on Monday.

It appears from the Indy website that the block comes with Hemi style mount interfaces. Schumacher has mounts, and I'm guessing it's one of his more popular kits, so that's not a problem.

Block appears to be machined for stock water pump, fuel pump and timing chain cover.
Any other issues or things I need to plan for to install in a stock configuration?

Is it Best Machine Racing Engines in Farmington Hill, MI?

Bob

Might be a better idea to get a Hemi K frame rather than use the conversion mounts. There are a few guys who make reproduction K-frames or depending on what you're doing with the car you can have the K frame cut for oil pan clearance and stuff like that.

If you're going road racing, I suggest an aftermarket K frame and a motor plate. As for the block, I think LSM makes a hemi block, and it doesn't get stronger than billet for the weight.
Buuuut they are more expensive.
http://www.lsmeng.com/Billet-Blocks.html

So are you implying that there is a problem with the Schumaker mounts? Are they weak? Do they change the load path into the block and cause different stresses than stock? Do they generate interference issues because of non-stock geometry?

Bob

On your deal I would use a good front motor plate and forget the mounts and hassle of using headers with adapter mounts I would even cut the stock mounts off of your current K member for more clearances on the headers and less hassle also

Well, this will not be a race car. It is for street driving, mostly mountain and windy roads. A plate will rigidly attach engine to frame and transmit unacceptable vibration, no?

So, back to the Schumacher mounts, what is the issue with using them?

Bob

Yes, Best in Farmington Hills. Chuck or Pete. great informative guys and patient.
You will make power.

I've used a motor plate for many years, never really noticed the vibration. Drives smooth, when friends drive my car they often comment on how "tight" everything feels and how nice it is to drive. Seems they were expecting some shonky, rattley race car

I have a Bill Mitchell that is just about complete and ready to go. It's a nice block. The only issue so far has been clearance for the pushrods using offset rockers. I believe they just discounted the blocks $500 through the end of the year.

I'm going through the same thing now except KB has my money for a hemi block and I don't have a block after two years.

I also need a wedge block. I talked to best machine and they get semi finished blocks from Indy and cut the bores, clearance and deck to your specs. No first hand experience but by reputation they do a good job and they were pleasant and helpful when I spoke to them on the phone.

BG has Indy do all the machining to your specs. I talked to them about ordering a block and getting it at the Indy show (cheapest route) but I am a little uncomfortable buying a block from one vendor and having it machined by another vendor. BG will machine a block at their local shop but it costs more.

I have heard the Indy block may have interference issues with some headers as the oil pan rail (mounting surface) is a little wider.

I really like the KB block, but getting one is another story.

Don't let Indy do all the machining, it will need fixing. BG can finish machine it, or just let BEST take care of you (good customer service).

I have a Bill Mitchel aluminum block for about 8 years, freshened it once and it was like new on the inside, had zero trouble with it. Runs 9.70's in a 3200 lb car. When I got it I had it bored, honed the lifter bores, and put it together. Use Edelbrock victor Jr. heads, had to clearance the area behind the push rods a little but no big deal.

Indy block here. Been in the car 3 years.
I run 1/8 mile. That helps

I have a KB block engine a World(bill Mitchell)and an Indy block engine here. All three worked well and all three had some machining issue that had to be fixed. I have run World and KB stuff in the past with no block issues from either as well. This is our first Indy deal so time will tell but don't expect any issues from it.

I had this problem with TTI headers and a Indy block. I had a 3/8" header flange welded onto the TTI header flange to space the header away from the motor. It still needed some dinging on the tubes to clear.

Hi guys. I am assuming that this thread is more about a wedge block than a hemi block, but I wondered if the HP Performance aluminum hemi block was a viable option: http://www.hpperformancellc.com
Thanks