Whats better? Iron or Aluminum? Hemi or Wedge?
Which one is in higher demand?
Is there any demand???

What are you talking about? CHIP

What was the question again?

Iron = 6 cents/lb
Aluminum = 50 cents/lb

I choose aluminum.

I think that Big Bear is actually Marty from Koleno Performance and he is asking us if we want cast iron or aluminum blocks. He also wants to know of we prefer Hemi or wedge blocks and he would like to know why demand for the new blocks is so low.

At least that is what I read into the message.

What I'm saying is there was a huge shortage of iron blocks some years ago, now you can get them. There have been more aluminum choices in the past and now there are a few more. So I was just wondering if there was still a demand for either one and if so wich one?

yeah, thats what we are asking, it takes alot of time, money , effort, ect as I'm sure you all know to get the stuff into production but its even harder if you dont know what to make. thats just my

Well it is an interesting question. My guess is that demand depends on the price. I paid about $2500 for my cast iron World block. That is more money than a stock block with a girdle and partial fill but not a lot more. If the aftermarket cast iron blocks were down around $2000 then they would sell even better. If they were in the $1500 range like the Chevy and Ford blocks then the demand would pick up even more.

Last time I talked to the guys at Best Machine they said they were putting all of the serious guys into aluminum blocks. The AL blocks cost a little more up front but they solve a lot of issues for the serious race guy as long as the block is legal in their class. If Barton can keep selling AL blocks for $3500 then I'd think that demand would pick up a bit. I probably would've gone with an AL block at that price. In fact, if I could get an AL block at a good price I'd probably go ahead and use it for my next project motor.

We are talking engine blocks? I still choose aluminum.

Ray Barton is selling truckloads of World aluminum blocks for $3500. How much are the Koleno blocks?

From what I understand the new cast blocks are VERY HEAVY and still hard to repair. If I had the money I would not waste it on cast iron. I like the idea of a block that is good for years to come.

If aluminum blocks were cheap enough and good quality you could probably corner the new block market!!!!! Both Hemi and Wedge!!!!

Thanks for your input Andy, $3,500 for a AL mopar big block is an awesome price no doubt about it.
One thing about the $1,500 iron block that I could never seem to understand(although priced nicely)is the fact that some people would have more invested in their crankshaft.
A $1,500 crank + a $1,500 block =

Thats true they are heavy no matter where you buy it from(it keeps the front end down lol)But as far as repair, funny you should mention it,
I just talked to Scott about an iron block that they
windowed, he patched her up and believe it or not it
makes more power now.

Well it is a matter of economics for most engine builders. Ford Peformance sells A460 blocks for $2100 and Boss 302 blocks for $1800. Dart has blocks in the same range and so does World.

I know that Mopar guys are used to paying more for their parts but still, at some point people just toss in the towel and switch.

I'm currently investigating building a Boss 429 motor. Jon Kaase is building new heads and Ford has the block. I can build a Boss 429 for roughly the same (maybe less) than a 426 Hemi. The 426 Hemi is cool but to me the Boss 429 is even cooler. I wouldn't even bother thinking about building a Boss 429 if the price was double but when it is in the same range it starts to get interesting.

well ok still

are the splayed caps as good as the cross bolted though?