Aluminum vs cast iron heads
01-10-2006, 07:17 PM
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Aluminum vs cast iron heads
I have two 540 ci BB, I beam rods, 7.5 comp, cast iron heads, econel exhaust valves ss intake, crane roller rocker arms 1.7, crane hydraulic roller cams, 671 BDS blowers
I have major damage on one of the pistons that will need to be honed out.
What are the benefits to going with alum heads and would you do the same to the other good engine??????
What other changes would you do....
Dyno at 800hp a piece
Any helpful advice will be appreciated...
I have major damage on one of the pistons that will need to be honed out.
What are the benefits to going with alum heads and would you do the same to the other good engine??????
What other changes would you do....
Dyno at 800hp a piece
Any helpful advice will be appreciated...
Last edited by berman58; 01-10-2006 at 07:44 PM.
01-10-2006, 07:29 PM
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Re: Aluminum vs cast iron heads
If your looking for a good alum. head out of the box I Highly recommend the AFRs. If your looking to go bigger down the road & wanna do a lot of porting I suggest the Brodix. You will love having a set of alum heads, you will be able to tell a considerable difference. You mat also want to talk to an experienced BOAT motor builder, a good combo (heads, cam, rockers, intake, etc.etc.) is always better than just going BIG.
01-10-2006, 07:32 PM
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Re: Aluminum vs cast iron heads
Thanks for the post
Its not me building the engines. It's an engine builder with a lot of experience. I'm not a mechanic but do want to know as much as possible. He's given me choices and want to make an educated decision. Also if someone has done this combonation before their opinion would be great. Really don't want more power just more reliability. If i could squeak more hp reliably and drop boost that would seem to make sense...
Its not me building the engines. It's an engine builder with a lot of experience. I'm not a mechanic but do want to know as much as possible. He's given me choices and want to make an educated decision. Also if someone has done this combonation before their opinion would be great. Really don't want more power just more reliability. If i could squeak more hp reliably and drop boost that would seem to make sense...
01-10-2006, 07:35 PM
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Re: Aluminum vs cast iron heads
I am in the process of rebuilding BOTH motors and bought the AFR heads with the following upgrades:
Hard anodized coating (for protection to the aluminum)
Inconel exhaust valves
CNC'd
Upgraded valve springs
Out if the box bolt on horsepower (dyno only right now)
I'm VERY impressed so far..
Dave
Hard anodized coating (for protection to the aluminum)
Inconel exhaust valves
CNC'd
Upgraded valve springs
Out if the box bolt on horsepower (dyno only right now)
I'm VERY impressed so far..
Dave
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01-10-2006, 07:43 PM
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Re: Aluminum vs cast iron heads
Just make sure your mechanic has a lot of experience w/ boat motors, cars & boats have two totally different power curves. How much boost are you making?
01-11-2006, 07:42 PM
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Re: Aluminum vs cast iron heads
In January 2004 my engine builder rebuilt a couple of 540cid roots style supercharged engines that a customer brought to his shop straight from another builder. He didn't trust the engines and wanted Dave to dyno test them as they were (untouched) from the other shop. The engines had the GM/Chevy cast iron fully ported heads on them---they looked to be nicely ported, but a couple of the heads were cracked inbetween the seats on one of the engines. The engines made 840hp @5800rpm or so with 8lbs of boost with 38* of timing as they came from the other builder untouched.
Anyway, they replaced the stock GM cast iron heads with some Dart Pro-1 aluminum CNC ported heads and they made about 830hp with only 6lbs of boost with something like 30* of timing vs the previous 8 pounds at 38*. That's a BIG difference in reliability. I think it goes to show that a good aluminum head that is CNC ported will make the difference. Also, an aluminum head will give you a little more cusion in comp ratio. So, there are some very good benefits right there---hope that helps.
If you want to call my engine builder (Michigan) and ask him questions about it, the name of his business is called WESCO 616-622-2250 ask for Dave. I'm sure he would be able to explain it more accurately and in better detail than I did.
Anyway, they replaced the stock GM cast iron heads with some Dart Pro-1 aluminum CNC ported heads and they made about 830hp with only 6lbs of boost with something like 30* of timing vs the previous 8 pounds at 38*. That's a BIG difference in reliability. I think it goes to show that a good aluminum head that is CNC ported will make the difference. Also, an aluminum head will give you a little more cusion in comp ratio. So, there are some very good benefits right there---hope that helps.
If you want to call my engine builder (Michigan) and ask him questions about it, the name of his business is called WESCO 616-622-2250 ask for Dave. I'm sure he would be able to explain it more accurately and in better detail than I did.
01-11-2006, 08:12 PM
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Re: Aluminum vs cast iron heads
Originally Posted by KAAMA
In January 2004 my engine builder rebuilt a couple of 540cid roots style supercharged engines that a customer brought to his shop straight from another builder. He didn't trust the engines and wanted Dave to dyno test them as they were (untouched) from the other shop. The engines had the GM/Chevy cast iron fully ported heads on them---they looked to be nicely ported, but a couple of the heads were cracked inbetween the seats on one of the engines. The engines made 840hp @5800rpm or so with 8lbs of boost with 38* of timing as they came from the other builder untouched.
Anyway, they replaced the stock GM cast iron heads with some Dart Pro-1 aluminum CNC ported heads and they made about 830hp with only 6lbs of boost with something like 30* of timing vs the previous 8 pounds at 38*. That's a BIG difference in reliability. I think it goes to show that a good aluminum head that is CNC ported will make the difference. Also, an aluminum head will give you a little more cusion in comp ratio. So, there are some very good benefits right there---hope that helps.
If you want to call my engine builder (Michigan) and ask him questions about it, the name of his business is called WESCO 616-622-2250 ask for Dave. I'm sure he would be able to explain it more accurately and in better detail than I did.
Anyway, they replaced the stock GM cast iron heads with some Dart Pro-1 aluminum CNC ported heads and they made about 830hp with only 6lbs of boost with something like 30* of timing vs the previous 8 pounds at 38*. That's a BIG difference in reliability. I think it goes to show that a good aluminum head that is CNC ported will make the difference. Also, an aluminum head will give you a little more cusion in comp ratio. So, there are some very good benefits right there---hope that helps.
If you want to call my engine builder (Michigan) and ask him questions about it, the name of his business is called WESCO 616-622-2250 ask for Dave. I'm sure he would be able to explain it more accurately and in better detail than I did.
Thank you very much for posting
