Cast Iron VS Aluminum BLOCKS
#17
Originally Posted by EVOclub4
is it true though that once you overheat it, you're f****? it gets all warped and stuff? not to the extreme but minor warping?
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Originally Posted by EVOclub4
is it true though that once you overheat it, you're f****? it gets all warped and stuff? not to the extreme but minor warping?
Al blocks can't take insane boost levels because of the lower stiffness of the material and virtually all its alloys. They also distort more at high temp, if i recall correctly.
However, there are some very exotic aluminium alloys that are very very stiff. The cost of casting and maufactuing these particular alloys I'd imagine to be astronomical. But I think you can design them to be as stiff as the cast iron while still weighing less. That would be nice... In any case, if they designed the thing to work at xxpsi boost, I'm sure it will work fine at that level. There are other ways of getting more power from your engine other than increasing boost. Not many are offer the bang/$$, admittedly, but there are.
#21
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Originally Posted by E. Haskell
Umm, notice I didn't specify 03/04 Cobras . The '96-'98 Cobras used aluminum and they are STRONG. Mihovitz is making 1500+hp with his block.
Another example is y2khawk(Harlan) who post on LS1tech, he traps 171mph @ 3350lbs and uses a stock LS1 block
Another example is y2khawk(Harlan) who post on LS1tech, he traps 171mph @ 3350lbs and uses a stock LS1 block
Harlan....you mean Matt Harlan?
Regardless of the LS1 and cobra block capabilities, the OEM and racing industry I would say tends to favor iron blocks when extremely high cylinder pressures (ie from boost) are involved. Mostly because aluminum tends to exhibit poor fatigue properties when under high stress, and the fact that you need EXCELLENT cooling to counteract the rapid thermal cycles that aluminum naturally undergoes.
As pointed out by E. Haskell however, either material is capable of big numbers, and the weak link in the new evo X engine, following suit with most engines out there, will most likely not be the block.
Last edited by Mercenary3; Dec 26, 2005 at 11:31 PM.
#24
Originally Posted by Mercenary3
Interesting about the 96-98 blocks. What about the 99,01 models?
Harlan....you mean Matt Harlan?
Harlan....you mean Matt Harlan?
#25
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Originally Posted by E. Haskell
The 99/01 blocks were Windsor blocks which are still pretty durable, but the 96-98 block was made by Teksid in Italy--they also make Ferrari blocks. I'm not sure if his first name is Matt
BTW, his name is matt, I just looked his tag name up. He graduated a few years ahead of me in college. Smart guy, he designed an engine controller for an FZR600 from scratch and had it running in about half a year.
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Iron block is definately better, however the evo should be fine with the aluminum block with iron sleeves. It will withstand hp modification well im guessing, but i dont know if it can withstand super high gains such as 600whp. If youre a serious drag racer, it will be an issue for you, if not, youll most likely not mod your car passed 400whp anyway and this shouldnt be a problem im guessing for the new evo. Anyway, we see lots of sti's doing fine with aluminum block/iron sleaves so maybe its just a myth that they cannot handle high hp gains
The engine itself will receive some harsh criticism initially because its a brand new engine and the aftermarket will take some time to adjust to it, and mitsubishi will obviously tweak it over the years, which is actually a good reason not to get a first year evo X, because you know there will be a lot of issues with them. It would be nice if they stuck with the 4g63, but sometimes you just have to move on for better or worse.
In terms of aluminum blocks being cheaper to manufacture, im not sure of that, i heard its much harder to shape and mold aluminum compared to iron because its very easy to burn right through aluminum. Aluminum takes much more time and effort to mold properly, which is why cars with aluminum parts are more expensive. I know a couple of chopper gearheads and im somewhat a chopper gearhead myself and whenever they see an aluminum frame or aluminum gas tank on a chopper they always tell me how difficult it was to weld and shape, so im not sure if cost is an issue when converting from aluminum to iron block
The engine itself will receive some harsh criticism initially because its a brand new engine and the aftermarket will take some time to adjust to it, and mitsubishi will obviously tweak it over the years, which is actually a good reason not to get a first year evo X, because you know there will be a lot of issues with them. It would be nice if they stuck with the 4g63, but sometimes you just have to move on for better or worse.
In terms of aluminum blocks being cheaper to manufacture, im not sure of that, i heard its much harder to shape and mold aluminum compared to iron because its very easy to burn right through aluminum. Aluminum takes much more time and effort to mold properly, which is why cars with aluminum parts are more expensive. I know a couple of chopper gearheads and im somewhat a chopper gearhead myself and whenever they see an aluminum frame or aluminum gas tank on a chopper they always tell me how difficult it was to weld and shape, so im not sure if cost is an issue when converting from aluminum to iron block
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Originally Posted by i11matticc
In terms of aluminum blocks being cheaper to manufacture, im not sure of that, i heard its much harder to shape and mold aluminum compared to iron because its very easy to burn right through aluminum. Aluminum takes much more time and effort to mold properly, which is why cars with aluminum parts are more expensive. I know a couple of chopper gearheads and im somewhat a chopper gearhead myself and whenever they see an aluminum frame or aluminum gas tank on a chopper they always tell me how difficult it was to weld and shape, so im not sure if cost is an issue when converting from aluminum to iron block
#28
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I think the AL block will provide 90% of us a better motor. How many of you guys are really looking for more than 600HP anyway?
Without a doubt a modern AL block can easily take 400HP. Thats all most of us ever aim for anyway. Besides....odds are you'll be able to swap in an old school iron block motor if you wish.
Without a doubt a modern AL block can easily take 400HP. Thats all most of us ever aim for anyway. Besides....odds are you'll be able to swap in an old school iron block motor if you wish.