Which aluminum block?Donovan-Brodix

[1Fine69]

Anybody know about these two companies. Im having shafiroff build one but i dnt know which company to get the block from. WHo do i go with and why?

[speedster]

You may also want to check out Dart and Motown (World Products) aluminum blocks.

[1Fine69]

i checked out world and was advised not to. dart i havent looked at. Which makes the best though. Brodix looks to be in front right now. Am i wrong?

[Kenova]

i checked out world and was advised not to
An engine builder gave me the same advice. He also recomended the Brodix block. I think you will find that Brodix offers more options on their blocks.
Now if my kids would get their hands out of my pockets, I just might be able to afford one. :nopity:
Ken

[Sparky67]

i checked out world and was advised not to. dart i havent looked at. Which makes the best though. Brodix looks to be in front right now. Am i wrong?


Well, Donovan has been making Aluminum blocks for over 30 years, and most drag racers tend to use it. I wonder who gave you the advice about World Products? You need to be careful because there are engine builders that will want to you sell your their blocks. Here is a write up about World Products Gen 1 block http://superchevy.com/technical/engines_drivetrain/completebuilds_testing/0504sc_lite/
and if you look in the new Hot Rod, they also have a writeup about their Gen III block. Chevy also makes aluminum blocks too, so they are plenty of choices out there. My best advice is to ask a racer or someone that has an aluminum block that you are interested in. Arias is another brand, I believe that was in the Aluminator.

Jeff

[malihoochie]

Keep an eye on the Dart aluminum blocks. Billet blocks for the high rollers and cast in std. configuration & with raised cam + .400" for the rest in the aluminum market.

[rocketman]

i use both and you cant go wrong either way.my 710 is donovan.i haven't built a brodix bb yet,there small blocks are nice.these are the best aluminun blocks in the business hands down.

[ProdigyCustoms]

The World products block is nice, but not avaiable until April again. I am also curious what you heard negative about World?

[1Fine69]

I heard that if i am goign to be having the almost 600 crank horse and a roller cam and such that i would not want to go with world. Im not exactly sure why and by no means am i saying anything bad about world. Their motors are just as reliable as any other as you can see by Bill Mitchell driving the 454 everyday. but i have been told for that horse to go with a different block. Maybe to be safe?????i have no idea. Shafiroff builds his cast iron blocks with the world blocks but he said that he would build me the aluminum block with either a donovan or a brodix. Both are very nice but i have heard the donovan is more streetable. I am not really sure though. If that is the case i want a more streetable engine. Im not drag racing. The wow factor of the aluminum 427 is just to much to ignore though.

[lilzl1]

I am finishing an all aluminum 427 sbc with the brodix 227 cnc head and the aluminum raised cam block. Everything is great but the block is .400 wider on each side of pan rail requiring a special oil pan and it has no provisions for an oil filter and there is no place to mount a manual clutch z bar. Other than these few things the piece is very superior and readily available.

[1Fine69]

OH! forgot. I also want an engine soon. Shafiroff can do it in 3 weeks. World.....3 months. The world cast with aluminum heads has 520 horse and almost 500 torque and that is almost 10 grand. To makee it aluminum is another 2k. The shafiroff is 9 grand cast with aluminum heads and has 595 horse and 565 torque.4 grand to make it aluminum because of the donovan or brodix block. 12k for a world aluminum with less horse and less torque or 13k for shafiroff with 80 more horse and 50 more torque and amazing donovan/brodix block. I think i wil go with shafiroff. Thats jsut me though

[ProdigyCustoms]

The 3 months from World right now has to do with the aluminum block production, which sucks beacuse I need one now myself. The horsepower thing is smoke and mirrors, I know plenty with big HP in them, but the bottom line is you need it now, Either Donovan or Brodies are all good pieces, and Shariroff has a big name. I am sure you will be happy.

[1Fine69]

Yup im sure i will be to with about 500 rwhp and tq!!!!!!!!!! :3gears:

[Neil B]

Does World have their own aluminum foundry now for blocks or do they sub out the casting? I believe that their Motown Lite heads are cast by Canfield.

[Kenova]

The World products block is nice, but not avaiable until April again. I am also curious what you heard negative about World?
The advice I was given is about 1 1/2 yrs. old and may not apply. But ...... I was told that there were some quality problems with the World blocks (which may be sorted out by now ), and this particular builder wasn't very impressed with the costumer service. He felt the few extra hundred dollars for the Brodix would be money well spent.
Ken

[1Fine69]

which block is more for street use? donovan or brodix?

[rocketman]

there both the same,what are you calling streetable? i ran a donovan 632 on the street/strip for 2 years,with no cooling problems.and was a 1/2 filled block.

[1Fine69]

this is a car for goign back and forth to shows and out for sunday drives. Ill take it to the strip once or twice to see what it can do and also bring it to the track to have some fun but thats about the extent of my racing. I just love the 427 numbers and aluminum block because of the nostalgia.

[rocketman]

you cant go wrong either way.update the cooling system you'll be fine.

[Sparky67]

this is a car for goign back and forth to shows and out for sunday drives. Ill take it to the strip once or twice to see what it can do and also bring it to the track to have some fun but thats about the extent of my racing. I just love the 427 numbers and aluminum block because of the nostalgia.

Actually, what would be really cool if you had this built. John Lingenfelter built it back in 1996. 427ci all-aluminum Mouse motor is based on a GM Performance Parts aluminum 4.125-inch-bore Bow-Tie block, a 4-inch stroke, and a set of hungry SB2 heads. With a mechanical-roller cam and an SB2 intake plumbed for a 1200-cfm multipoint EFI, the engine erupts with a stupefying 628 horsepower through the cats! Reality check: Planted in a new Corvette, the mighty Mouse cranked to a top end of 214.7 mph!


Jeff

[1Fine69]

thats really nice but pops set the limit at 600 horse for me. Im 17 and he gave me the 350 first to see if i would be an idiot or not. :angel: i drove it right so he now trusts me and feels i can handle more. The thing is that i dont want to do efi yet cause it is a bit more complicated and the car doesnt get driven much so i dont think it will go to use. Definately a sick motor though. Lingenfleter is a a nutjob!

[TUBED]

airb,
Checkout New Century performance (Arias) and Keith Black aluminum blocks, they're reputable companys with great products.

Gerald

[rocketman]

if you need heads,i have a set of 18* dei cup heads and intake.

[1Fine69]

shafiroff is building it for me because hes close by so i think i will discuss with him the options on the motor. Hopefully he and i can come up with a killer package.

[rocketman]

read you are 17,who's bank roll this monster.the reason i ask is because.if you are why not just use a cast iron blk,will make the same hp and run about 4g cheaper.shafiroff is a great engine builder but he's not cheap,that motor by him will an easy 15g.

[1Fine69]

Im working right now and giving my money all to my dad whos helping. The block will not be near that much. His cast iron block is 9 grand with 595 horse and 565 ft/lbs. His full aluminum option is 4 grand. Thats 13 grand. Maybe a little more.

[WS6]

what about all the neeed accessories like a bigger fuel pump. larger fuel lines. large tube headers. possibly a high torque mini starter. dont for get about those.

[rocketman]

[ His full aluminum option is 4 grand. Thats 13 grand. Maybe a little more.[/QUOTE]

thats 4g and no more hp,i would go cast block,you cant see an alum blk when in the car anyway,paint a cast blk alum and there you go.

[Sparky67]

del

[1Fine69]

More torque please.....and thank you lol