Nice! Looking forward to it, :D .

Craig,
I'm sure Bill will factor reliability into your aluminum engine. You'll be fine.

Bill Mitchell is offering a new alloy BBC block for less than $4K. Just sold one of my vehicles today and that's got me to thinking.
Yeah,I know,,that's dangerous. :D :P

Another thing; One of the things in favor of a new aluminum block is modern aluminum castable alloys suitable for engine use (355-T6 comes to mind); they are FAR more stable than what was used in the past (i.e. on the orignial GM ZL1's.) With the modern alloys things don't move around nearly as much as the old stuff, it's much more resilient in terms of thread strength, etc. Most of the time you don't even need a helical thread insert with the modern alloy as you would with the old stuff. Some of the old aluminum alloys used would tear the threads out just by looking at them funny. :P

Looks like the Motown blocks are $3500 and sport some serious reinforcing ribs. Alloy is 357. All good stuff. Yeah--the lack of heli-coils sometimes freaked people out . "...What? No heli-coils? No thanks" "But sir...355 is far superior to that beer-can 356"

Aluminum SBC
 

If any one is interested I 'm consedering selling my 400 CID aluminum block SBC.

Specs:

GM Racing aluminum block 4.125 bore
Scat light weight 3.75 stroke crank with 6.0" rods
10.75 compression ratio
Dart CNC ported heads
Wilson Edelbrock 18 Degree intake with 37 lb/hr injectors
ATI damper
Comp roller cam and lifters
T&D shaft rockers
Moroso pan for 1st gen f-body
Very similar to the Mule N/A engine but with Dart heads and Wilson intake.

All new - going on the dyno Thursday. Should make 575-600 HP on 93 octane fuel.

Stielow

By the way, I've driven the Thrasher with this very similar combo in it, and it's a LOT of fun! :eek: Sounds like a great setup for someone who wants a lot of power and reliability/drivability.

Jody

We're using the iron block 427" in the GT55 project we did. Have 3200 miles on it and no problems!

Mark,
I may have a buyer for you. Email me for info. I am in NC this week.