Anyone powdercoated thier LSx Blocks?

[kaptainkw]

Howdy Gents:

I have an '06 LS2 with only 600 miles on it that's on an engine stand. My question is this: Has anyone powder coated thier existing blocks?

I know thermal mass is an issue (getting the entire block up to temperature) and thus you probably have to disassemble it first but I'm concerned what will happen if the block is elevated to ~400°F (powdercaoting forums say it may take several hours to get it to temperature). Given that the engine is near new and I'm not looking to build a radical engine, I would just assume reassemble the bottom end, perhaps with new bearings. I know the blocks from GMPP are coated but they have to be final machined. In a perfect world you would powdercoat first, then machine, then assemble new, but what can I say... I'm cheap and I don't see any reason to install new parts.

Any insight would be appreciated!

[skeeters65]

Why bother??
The bare aluminum looks mint..

[1969CamaroRS]

You might run into problems with the powder coat retaining more heat rather than letting the block radiate it as it might do otherwise. Least that is what I read in an article on powder coating.

[Goat05]

So...Say it retains more heat. Is that comparable to how much more cast iron blocks withold? Or say a powdercoated GENI block....

[Sparky67]

You can powder coat the the aluminum blocks. Although, it will retain heat and probably cause you more problems down the road. The alternative is to paint the block, which doesn't retain heat. There is more choices of colors than powder coat. If you prep it correctly, then it will have a better finish than powder coat. I tried powder coating my rear end (base and clear coat), and had more problems with the powder coat cracking. So I sanded the finish down and repainted it single stage paint. There is no problems with cracking now. There is no orange peel that comes with powder coating a part, and it is much cheaper.

Jeff

http://www.kodakgallery.com/67rscamaro

[AustinClassic]

Will probably just clean the crap out of mine and paint it BC/CC

[70 Chevelle]

deleted

[55chevyman]

I am pretty sure that CarlC painted his LSx block chevy orange.

[1969CamaroRS]

Another possibility is to consider Por-15 Engine block paint. That is what I used on mine and I am very happy with it:




It looks almost like powder coating with a similar durability. You can literally beat it with a hammer or pour brake clean / solvents on it and it does nothing. Drawback the surface has to be perfectly clean (prep is time consuming) or don't bother since it won't stick. But with the prep done you have a extremely durable finish that is easy to clean.

[ProTeal55]

Dupli-Color engine enamel is also a great rattlecan product to paint your block with. I have used it on a bunch of motors (motorcycle) and had great results..

[icebird84]

Engine was etch primed, painted blue (body color) with one coat of clear



http://www.extremefirebird.com/Home.html I love this one