What's the appeal of an aluminum engine block?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, so you're in agreement now that iron blocks are superior to aluminum ones?

if, and only if:

1. The weight savings of 125 lbs is not meaningful,
2. The extra cost of the alloy block is meaningful,
3. Bling is not your thing,
4. 15-30 HP or "dozens of HP" is meaningful,
5. Steering and nimbleness in corners/turns is not meaningful,
6. greater fuel efficiency, due to less weight is not meaningful.

Under those conditions, yes, cast iron blocks are superior. But only if those 6 conditions have been met.

And, if the argument is that you would never feel the difference of 125 lbs (5 1/2% of my Kirkham's weight), then I don't see how you could argue that the extra 15-30 HP of a cast iron block would be noticed either. You can compensate for the reduced HP of the alloy block by adding compression, changing the cam, intake, etc., but it's mighty difficult to toss out or lose 125 lbs in a Cobra, unless Google or Tesla installs a driverless computer application.