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    1. #1
      Join Date
      Jun 2009
      Location
      Cassopolis, Mi
      Posts
      103

      Aluminum vs iron block

      I am in the process of an LS swap in my Buick. I currently have a 470ci Buick and want to go 6.2 LS. I am contemplating boring a 6.0 iron block. I am thinking that it would make sense since to go aluminum since we are working on handling. I assume that is why they do not offer iron blocks in Camaros or Corvettes. Can I produce 700 WHP reliably with aluminum? is the weight of the iron block a disability? want is everyone using?
      Thought?

    2. #2
      Join Date
      Aug 2007
      Posts
      641
      Typical 6.0 stroker kits bump the 6.0 to 408 ci. Not enough cubes for 700 hp NA. But throw a turbo on it 700 hp is no problem. Alum or iron is a tough call. If you go turbo I think most turbo guys would go iron block. 700 hp isn't going to be easy unless you run something like 454 LS block and have it some what streetable.
      Just my .02.

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Oct 2018
      Location
      Phoenix, AZ
      Posts
      584
      Country Flag: United States
      The limiting factor of the GM aluminum blocks is the sleeves and head bolts. Unless you are running 1200hp+ all the time, the iron blocks aren't necessary. Plenty of people have proven that even the factory sleeves in factory aluminum blocks will hold up well at 900hp+. 700 isn't bad at all and speaking from a handling standpoint, saving 100lbs off the nose is no joke (so yes that's why you only get aluminum blocks in camaros and corvettes). Most people run the iron blocks because that is the easiest and cheapest LS platform to find used due to it being in a TON of trucks/SUVs. Honestly, just go source a brand new LS3 block from GM if you want a 6.2. By the time you find a used iron block and have it machined you won't save all that much from just starting fresh especially since you'll be upgrading all the internals for that power level.
      '95 F-150 track ready street beast
      Want more projects/photos? Check my Instagram

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Jun 2009
      Location
      Cassopolis, Mi
      Posts
      103
      That was my thought. I have a LSA to bolt on now. the LSA is heavy in itself. I will go aluminum.
      Thanks for your help.

    5. #5
      Join Date
      Aug 2007
      Posts
      641
      Just another thought since 700 hp is good but 900 hp is even better.
      I did a LS2 sleeved and stroked to 427 cubes. RED (Race Engine Development) did the Darton sleeves which are supposed to be much stronger than the stock GM sleeves.
      I bought a LS2 block from a friend in CA and RED did the work and sent me the block in a plastic crate via UPS. You will need to put in the finish hone. My project was NA. The bare block was about $900 and the RED work was $2500?
      Good luck with your project.

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Jun 2009
      Location
      Cassopolis, Mi
      Posts
      103
      Thanks for the feedback. 6225 to the wheels is all I need. in fact it is way more than I need.

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Jun 2009
      Location
      Cassopolis, Mi
      Posts
      103
      Well I pulled the trigger on a L9H today. I will be replacing the pistons, cam and heads. if anyone has suggestions post them up.

    8. #8
      Join Date
      Feb 2005
      Location
      Las Vegas, NV
      Posts
      1,180
      Country Flag: United States
      A cheaper alternative is using a later model Gen IV 5.3l aluminum block (approx. $300-400) and having the Darton MID sleeves installed for a large cube stroker engine, much cheaper than sourcing a good used LS2 block

    9. #9
      Join Date
      May 2014
      Location
      Louisville, KY
      Posts
      57
      Country Flag: United States
      How much does it cost to have the darton sleeves installed?

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Apr 2001
      Location
      The City of Fountains
      Posts
      15,971
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by grease View Post
      How much does it cost to have the darton sleeves installed?
      These guys would be the ones to ask:
      http://www.raceenginedevelopment.com

      Andrew
      1970 GTO Version 3.0
      1967 Cougar build
      GM High-Tech Performance feature
      My YouTube Channel Please Subscribe!
      Instagram @projectgattago
      Dr. EFI
      I deliver what EFI promises.
      Remote Holley EFI tuning.
      Please get in touch if I can be of service.

      "You were the gun, your voice was the trigger, your bravery was the barrel, your eyes were the bullets." ~ Her

    11. #11
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Location
      Island Lake, IL
      Posts
      815
      Country Flag: United States
      I'm not a Buick guy myself but learned recently that the "Big Buick" engines are actually pretty light engines with aluminum heads. 470ci sounds like a badass engine....probably moreso with an EFI conversion on it.

      Are you sure that's something you want to give up?

    12. #12
      Join Date
      Jun 2009
      Location
      Cassopolis, Mi
      Posts
      103
      Yeah I have kicked it around for a while. while the Buick is the flagship motor, it is weak when it comes to the block. I am tapped out and since this was a 350 car, it is not a number matching vehicle. If it had been then I would stick with the Buick.

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Jun 2009
      Location
      Cassopolis, Mi
      Posts
      103
      I have purchased a used LS3. I am going to run E85 with a .624 / .605 234/247 cam with 12.2 to1 compression. for what I am using it for 580WHP is the new goal. this should be more than adequate for auto-cross.

    14. #14
      Join Date
      Apr 2001
      Location
      The City of Fountains
      Posts
      15,971
      Country Flag: United States
      Why e85?

      Andrew
      1970 GTO Version 3.0
      1967 Cougar build
      GM High-Tech Performance feature
      My YouTube Channel Please Subscribe!
      Instagram @projectgattago
      Dr. EFI
      I deliver what EFI promises.
      Remote Holley EFI tuning.
      Please get in touch if I can be of service.

      "You were the gun, your voice was the trigger, your bravery was the barrel, your eyes were the bullets." ~ Her

    15. #15
      Join Date
      Oct 2019
      Posts
      10
      You should run much higher compression if it’s an e85 engine. People have run safely up to 16:1 on e85. 12.2 will not be able to extract enough power from e85 to make it worth the effort.

    16. #16
      Join Date
      Jun 2010
      Location
      Deployed
      Posts
      3,280
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by andrewb70 View Post
      Why e85?

      Andrew

      Some people like to live dangerously....lol. I don't know about your area...but E85 isnt on every corner around here. It would be equivalent to building a street engine that runs on Alcohol or NitroMethane.
      1970 Camaro/DSE build


      Are you driver enough? Maybe....come on blue!
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...71#post1147371

    17. #17
      Join Date
      Apr 2001
      Location
      The City of Fountains
      Posts
      15,971
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by badazz81z28 View Post
      Some people like to live dangerously....lol. I don't know about your area...but E85 isnt on every corner around here. It would be equivalent to building a street engine that runs on Alcohol or NitroMethane.
      Yes, I get that. On top of that many people misunderstand the tuning requirements for e85...

      Andrew
      1970 GTO Version 3.0
      1967 Cougar build
      GM High-Tech Performance feature
      My YouTube Channel Please Subscribe!
      Instagram @projectgattago
      Dr. EFI
      I deliver what EFI promises.
      Remote Holley EFI tuning.
      Please get in touch if I can be of service.

      "You were the gun, your voice was the trigger, your bravery was the barrel, your eyes were the bullets." ~ Her

    18. #18
      Join Date
      Jun 2009
      Location
      Cassopolis, Mi
      Posts
      103
      My builder / tuner is setting up flex fuel. it will be tuned to run 93 and or E85. he tells me cheap race fuel.



    19. #19
      Join Date
      Apr 2001
      Location
      The City of Fountains
      Posts
      15,971
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by clu269 View Post
      My builder / tuner is setting up flex fuel. it will be tuned to run 93 and or E85. he tells me cheap race fuel.
      No doubt an expert...

      Andrew
      1970 GTO Version 3.0
      1967 Cougar build
      GM High-Tech Performance feature
      My YouTube Channel Please Subscribe!
      Instagram @projectgattago
      Dr. EFI
      I deliver what EFI promises.
      Remote Holley EFI tuning.
      Please get in touch if I can be of service.

      "You were the gun, your voice was the trigger, your bravery was the barrel, your eyes were the bullets." ~ Her

    20. #20
      Join Date
      Apr 2013
      Posts
      26
      Country Flag: United States
      Late to the party but TA Performance has an aluminum Buick block.
      What is your plans with the 470 in the car now?

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