...

Go Back   Lateral-g Forums > Technical Discussions > Engine
User Name
Password



View Poll Results: Which block would you choose?
Dart Aluminum Block 30 73.17%
World Product Motownlite 11 26.83%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-18-2006, 09:34 PM
Fastbowtie Fastbowtie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 100
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Smile Aluminum 427 Small Block Gen I

Ok, I have a question for those guys out there using a 427 SBC GEN I Block Iron or Aluminum. I am thinking about assembling an Aluminum 427 using either a Dart or World Block. This engine will be used as a daily driver and be taken on long trips, hopefully Power Tour. Can you guys give me some pros and cons to these blocks? I spoke with both tech departments and they both had good points to there products. The Dart seems to be the better block, however the Motownlite seems to be closer to a stock 400, which in the end could prove to be a better deal. The list kind of went like this.

Sorry Scott for the crude table.

.................................Dart............. ..........................Motownlite

Different Deck Heights....Yes.................................... ...No
Stock Oil Pan set up.......No (wide spread rail)................Yes....(Stock)
BBC Cam Core...............Yes............................ ...........No.....(Stock)
Stock Oil Filter..............No............................ ...........Yes.....(Stock)
Square Block................Yes.......................... .............No
Intake Height Stock.......No.................................... ....Yes....(Stock)
Stock Height Distributor..No................................... .....Yes....(Stock)
Special Head Studs........Yes.................................. .....No
Special Custom Cam.......Yes..................................... ..No Small Base Cir
Special Timing Gear........Yes................................... ....No
Weight.........................95 lbs...................................100 lbs
Billet Steel Splayed Mains.Yes......................................Yes
Material:.......................355-T6 aluminum....................357-T6 aluminum
Sleeve________________.250_______________________. 250" @ 4.155 bore
Raised Cam....................Yes........................ ..............No
Max Cubic Inch...............455 (4.185 x4.125)................434 (4.155 x 4.00)
Special Ribbing................No......................... ..............Yes

The thing that amazes me about these specs neither company thought about changing the lifter bores over to the new style (tall style) so you can use the new design lifters that are cheaper then the Retro Style lifters.

Please let me know your opinions and experiences. Thanks Guys!

Last edited by Fastbowtie; 12-18-2006 at 09:51 PM. Reason: Alignment issues with the table.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-18-2006, 09:43 PM
camcojb's Avatar
camcojb camcojb is online now
Administrator
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wilton, CA.
Posts: 12,579
Thanks: 4,189
Thanked 1,443 Times in 625 Posts
Default

every machinist and engine builder I've met prefers the Dart blocks over the World stuff. Nicer machining, less casting flash, better quality, and on and on.


Jody
__________________
Jody

PAST CAR PROJECTS

Like Lateral-G on Facebook!

Follow Lateral-G on Instagram!

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Jacob Ehlers and Amsoil for the lubricants and degreasers for my 70 Chevelle project
Shannon at Modo Innovations for the cool billet DBW bracket
Roadster Shop for their Chevelle SPEC Chassis
Dakota Digital for their Chevelle HDX Gauge Package
Painless Performance for their wiring harness

Ron Davis Radiators for their radiator and fan assembly.
Baer Brakes for their front and rear brakes

Texas Speed and Performance for their 427 LS Stroker
American Powertrain for their ProFit Magnum T56 kit
Currie Enterprises for their 9" Third Member
Forgeline for their GF3 Wheels
McLeod Racing for their RXT street twin clutch
Ididit for their steering column
Holley for their EFI and engine parts
Lokar and Clayton Machine for their pedals and door and window handles
Morris Classic Concepts for their 3 point belts and side mirrors
Thermotec for their heat sleeve and sound deadening products
Restomod Air for their Tru Mod A/C kit
Mightymouse Solutions for their catch can
Magnaflow for their 3" exhaust system
Aeromotive for their dual Phantom fuel system
Vintage Air for their new Mid Mount LS front drive
Hydratech Braking for their hydroboost system
Borgeson for their stainless steering shaft and u joints
Eddie Motorsports for their hood and trunk hinges and misc parts
TMI Products for their seats, door panels, and dash pad
Rock Valley Antique Auto Parts for their stainless fuel tank
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-18-2006, 09:54 PM
Fastbowtie Fastbowtie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 100
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by camcojb
every machinist and engine builder I've met prefers the Dart blocks over the World stuff. Nicer machining, less casting flash, better quality, and on and on.


Jody
Yea Jody that's what I've heard too, but it seems like it needs everything. Oil pan, special cam, special head bolts, special push rods ect...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-18-2006, 09:56 PM
rocketman's Avatar
rocketman rocketman is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: mo
Posts: 718
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Of those 2 blocks a would recommend a Dart,my personal favorite is Donovan.

Keep your tolerance tight so when it warms up to operating temp it's not to loose and rattle to death.

Has long as it's a stock spec block,everything will bolt on it,usaully when getting into the tall deck blocks is when the cam tunnel gets raised and the spread the pan rail out.

Donovan makes(used to sure to be honest) block that will except all the stock hardware

Last edited by rocketman; 12-18-2006 at 10:01 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-18-2006, 10:12 PM
Fastbowtie Fastbowtie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 100
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rocketman
Of those 2 blocks a would recommend a Dart,my personal favorite is Donovan.

Keep your tolerance tight so when it warms up to operating temp it's not to loose and rattle to death.

Has long as it's a stock spec block,everything will bolt on it,usaully when getting into the tall deck blocks is when the cam tunnel gets raised and the spread the pan rail out.

Donovan makes(used to sure to be honest) block that will except all the stock hardware
Hows the pricing of the Donovans?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-19-2006, 12:29 AM
rocketman's Avatar
rocketman rocketman is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: mo
Posts: 718
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastbowtie
Hows the pricing of the Donovans?
About the same 3k give or take.I haven't priced a standard block in awhile.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-19-2006, 12:34 AM
jonny51 jonny51 is offline
Lateral-g Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Petaluma,California
Posts: 2,530
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Have you considerd Brodix?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-19-2006, 04:40 AM
Fastbowtie Fastbowtie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 100
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jonny51
Have you considerd Brodix?
You know I haven't. I need to look at them too. I seem to forget there are more then just 2 companys making thoses things.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-19-2006, 09:58 AM
4OfaKind's Avatar
4OfaKind 4OfaKind is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 197
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Warhawk

Does it have to be Gen I?
World makes an aluminum LS series block called the Warhawk that accepts a 4.125" bore and costs less than the Gen I blocks. About $2K - $2500

Sorry, I confused the World aluminum block w/ GMPP's iron block. The World Block is $4K. Forget I was here.


Mal

Last edited by 4OfaKind; 12-19-2006 at 10:09 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-19-2006, 12:18 PM
Fastbowtie Fastbowtie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 100
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

The more I read on the net about aluminum the less I like it. I still want a SBC 427 though.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net