Going back to aluminum

[2010_camaro]

Ok so i currently have a built 6.0 iron block with twins making ~1000whp.
I've been shaving weight as much as possible. Current curb weight is 3780 with a full tank if fuel and meth.
My weight disruption is off tho. It's 220lbs more front heavy.

Point of this post is what can I do to an aluminum block to hold the power I'm making with out dropping ungodly money on a billet block?

I have a 5.3 aluminum block sitting here. Was just going to bore it out and swap my internals from my iron block to the aluminum one.

[christianchevell]

First mine is stroked ls3 block, the block has a cast in cylinder sleeve that's not replaceable by those with the understanding its a throw away block....1400 new$ bare....The twins pushing that power would require a lot of money and most likely a aftermarket aluminum block ...but iron is better and stronger and bore-able...a ls3 bock can only over hone .020 that's it, you have a 5.3 that's small.... whats its sleeves like?
Can it be bored? I would do a search under Junkyard Ls build........ that's netted me nice articles before on what goes with what and whats not worth the time. And its the twins and the block making that weight you know it, iron versus aluminum is about 70 lbs so your pissing in the wind, your drag racing not doing twisty turnies be real is my advice and leave it alone irons better for FI............... If your really worried add some weight to the rear.....LOL a parachute and some wheelie bars.

[Bo White]

My understanding has always been the LS3 block is fine with ARP studs.

[christianchevell]

Also stroking it to the 6.0 internals unlike a ls3 going larger where you have to clearance things like the end of the skirts etc for the con rods due to the large stroke...best done by pro,your stroking it the same length; a stroked 5.3 too; 5.3 cubes.... same length according to the first post I could find..so you would be smaller cubes, not wise and different bore.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=5.3+wi...&setlang=en-US

I think you will be looking at buying a new set of slugs...think the stoke is the same, slugs are not cheap forged BTW.........And cast in sleeves mainly a one hone job block.... just stuff to think over. If its was a 5.3 iron it could be over bored but machining so much to make a 5.7 from a 5.3 or god forbid a 6.0 would be stupid spendy and weak wall the iron instead of iron sleeved cast in only so thick walls..... so no stroking the 5.3...you wan it the deal is not a great thing for power dropping cubes....I went the other way 6.2 to 7.0 to gain the torque N/A.

[John_C]

Some block info here: http://www.hotrod.com/articles/max-o...for-ls-blocks/

[mrimpala02]

Uh.. I'm pretty sure an LS at least an LS3 can be re-sleeved. I have a quote sitting on my desk from a reputable engine builder to resleeve my LS3 (1200 RHWP rated on twins). He mentioned that the LS3 would be even stronger than an LSA block once resleeved.

ERL used to be the most popular company to resleeve LS3's engines if I'm not mistaken.

[christianchevell]

Ahhhhh and the quote was for? the cast in place sleeves in the aluminum do not mean they are necessary straight up meaning a initial hone.... and for $1400 a new block.....compare..... BTW nice article tells me I was right, and if my tuner would not do a re-sleeve I believe him.....Now a Darton sleeved custom mega spendy custom LSX type block well that's cool but big $$ And yes I figure my block being cast in sleeves is disposable only being able to .020 over hone....and align hone took how much of that factory?

[mrimpala02]

Originally Posted by christianchevell

Ahhhhh and the quote was for? the cast in place sleeves in the aluminum do not mean they are necessary straight up meaning a initial hone.... and for $1400 a new block.....compare..... BTW nice article tells me I was right, and if my tuner would not do a re-sleeve I believe him.....Now a Darton sleeved custom mega spendy custom LSX type block well that's cool but big $$ And yes I figure my block being cast in sleeves is disposable only being able to .020 over hone....and align hone took how much of that factory?

Are you asking what was the price or what was the part?

The sleeve he listed is a R.E.D. dry sleeve.
http://www.raceenginedevelopment.com...s3-dry-sleeve/

There are many articles that have many opinions so I do not doubt that you have read an article that discusses not to resleeve an LS engine.

But I think the question was can it be re-sleeved. The answer is yes, it can be re-sleeved. Now if the question is should you re-sleeve, that would be better discussed with the engine builder of choice that I hope has proof to back up there recommendation one way or the other.

[ecreps]

I think the iron blocks are only like 90lbs heavier, but i could be wrong.

At 1000whp youre getting close to the limit of a 4 bolt head I'd think. If youre going to use the 5.3 I'd just throw a firged rotating assembly in it at the stock bore, and spend money on some thick deck heads and a good valvetrain. You will probably need to spin it harder than your current larger motor.

[bayarea408]

Originally Posted by ecreps

I think the iron blocks are only like 90lbs heavier, but i could be wrong.

At 1000whp youre getting close to the limit of a 4 bolt head I'd think. If youre going to use the 5.3 I'd just throw a firged rotating assembly in it at the stock bore, and spend money on some thick deck heads and a good valvetrain. You will probably need to spin it harder than your current larger motor.

Bare block only
6.0 iron gen 4 blocks are about 170 lb's

Aluminum ls3 is 110 lb's

Soo actually roughly 60 lb's


TSP has been advertising re sleeved gen 4 aluminum race blocks to handle over 1k using dart sleeves. Runs 6-7k. not sure if its worth 60 lb's. But you will have an extremely STOUT platform.

Have you already modified or replaced the front crash bar with something like a moly bar? front and back helps like 35 almost 40 lb's
Racing seats / steering wheel

[ecreps]

Originally Posted by bayarea408

Bare block only
6.0 iron gen 4 blocks are about 170 lb's

Aluminum ls3 is 110 lb's

Soo actually roughly 60 lb's


TSP has been advertising re sleeved gen 4 aluminum race blocks to handle over 1k using dart sleeves. Runs 6-7k. not sure if its worth 60 lb's. But you will have an extremely STOUT platform.

Have you already modified or replaced the front crash bar with something like a moly bar? front and back helps like 35 almost 40 lb's
Racing seats / steering wheel

It doesnt seem to be the blocks flexing as much as the heads lifting. You can go to 1/2" headstuds and it helps some, but the issue is really that the heads warp with enough cylinder pressure. For anything under 1000whp aluminum block seems fine, for over 1000whp i would get something with 6 bolt heads. Just my 2 cents.