Originally Posted by blykins (Post 1409574)

Happy Thanksgiving all....I'm taking a few days vacation.

Originally Posted by blykins (Post 1409569)

That's fine Dave, it's an accepted fact by engine builders that doesn't need to be argued here.

Originally Posted by blykins (Post 1409573)

Ok, some data I found from the FE forum since I don't have any dyno sheets to prove my point.

From Dave Shoe (speaking to Robert Pond):

"The horsepower differences between iron nand aluminum blocks have been repeatedly characterized by Robert Pond, though I am necessarily distorting his claims because I lack sufficient experience to fully comprehend all his findings. He has been particularly interested in horsepower gains as small as a single horsepower, as his Stock Eliminator racing engines are constrained in the modifications which are allowed. I've spoken to Robert a little bit about "free horsepower", and he strongly contends that the block, all by itself, can provide dozens of free horsepower between the 600 to 1000 horsepower levels, just by its cylinder rigidity characteristics."

From Barry R, speaking of his Federal Mogul days:

"Well - - I can add a little fuel to the fire.
I supply rings and bearings to a large percentage of Pro Stock, Cup, and fastest street car competitors. In virtually 100% of situations where the weight is not critical (meaning that they would have to add ballast to offset any weight benefit from aluminum to meet a mandated minimum) these competitors ALL run an iron block of some sort.

Iron blocks simply make more power. Every time. The commonly bandied about number is somewhere between 15 and 30 - depending on the power level and the particular engine in question. Big beefy billet caps on aluminum blocks are kinda like a super strong steel lid on a cardboard box - when they're stronger than the parent material the value is limited. Ultimate power handling potential is not an issue - both materials have been proven at levels beyond anything feasable in an FE (I have seen numbers near 3000HP).

When properly prepped and designed, neither material will show bearing issues - but aluminum does require tighter cold clearances. Fuel motors don't count - - repairability is more important than the nominal power difference when you're at that level. The sole benefits to an aluminum block are identical to those of aluminum heads - weight ease of modification and repairability."

Originally Posted by patrickt (Post 1409580)

Personally, I think Brent has posted compelling evidence that iron blocks are superior to aluminum ones.:cool:

Originally Posted by ERANJ (Post 1409584)

I think RodKnock has made many global statements...if you don't agree with my position you're wrong or submit until you see it my way.

Originally Posted by blykins (Post 1409583)

Unsubscribing..... ;)

Originally Posted by RodKnock (Post 1409587)

And from what Brent and others have said, aluminum shifts around, expands, squirms or whatever, which means that it leaks more? Alloy engines are rebuilt more often? They lose compression because of expansion? How much compression? Does an alloy block engine lose .1 pt, .2 pt, .3 pt, etc. of compression?

Originally Posted by Jac Mac (Post 1409590)

Brent would be better to simply add a hefty premium to every alloy block build and not waste his time trying to explain cause and effect to those clients.:)[/b]

Originally Posted by patrickt (Post 1409591)

Uhhhh, that's what I said in my first reply way back on page one of this thread.:cool:

Originally Posted by blykins (Post 1408877)

Yeah, in a perfect world, that's how it is.

However, there are certain things called warranties. IMO, the customer should not have to incur damages because of a manufacturing defect either....flat tappet camshaft, aluminum block, bad crank, etc.

I like how you think though....

Also can't just raise my prices to cover things that "might" happen. I would price myself out of every engine build if I had to do that.

Originally Posted by patrickt (Post 1409593)

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