What's the appeal of an aluminum engine block?

[blykins]

Just to address those...

These days the Pond aluminum block is $5600 and up. Shelby is about $1000 higher.

BBM iron block is around $3500 I think.

Absolutely no issue whatsoever with running aluminum heads on cast iron blocks. Zero. There are actually more chances of leaks with the all-aluminum FE engines than the cast iron/aluminum pieces. Plus, I recommend that all my all-aluminum customers run Moroso Ceramic Seal through the tank on an initial install. Don't have to do that on a "hybrid" engine.

A lot of your OEM combinations are all-aluminum. However, they have OEM quantity, OEM manufacturing, and OEM foundries behind them. Big difference.

Personally, knowing all that I know, I wouldn't consider an aluminum block a bragging right, but I could see where it could be taken that way. Same way as bragging about having a "6-speed".

By the way, RK, this post wasn't an argument to your points, but just trying to clarify some things out there that could be really considered rumors, as you call them.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

Personally, knowing all that I know, I wouldn't consider an aluminum block a bragging right, but I could see where it could be taken that way. Same way as bragging about having a "6-speed".

By the way, RK, this post wasn't an argument to your points, but just trying to clarify some things out there that could be really considered rumors, as you call them.

No worries.

While you, as an engine builder, don't think running an aluminum block is a bragging right, the consumer still does. And when you go to sell your Cobra, the buyer's perception is that the alloy block is better. Why? It costs more and it removes about 100 lbs from the front end. Until buyer's perceptions change, it will continue to be an issue when you go to sell your Cobra.

Are the OEM foundries different from the foundries that cast the alloy FE blocks? There can't be that many foundries left in our country that can make these things anymore. The FE block has been around for 50 years, not much has changed, so it's not like these foundries are inventing a new iPhone or the newest flu vaccine.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by blykins

A lot of your OEM combinations are all-aluminum. However, they have OEM quantity, OEM manufacturing, and OEM foundries behind them. Big difference.

Personally, knowing all that I know, I wouldn't consider an aluminum block a bragging right, but I could see where it could be taken that way. Same way as bragging about having a "6-speed".

Brent,

The "OEM" guys are using pressure cast aluminum in permanent molds with foam void cores, a big difference from gravity cast, sand pattern castings. The ability to control core shift, etc. is much greater with high dollar production means.