BBC aluminum block

[68Bird]

There are several out there, DART, Brodix, Merlin X, Donovan, etc. What would be your preference for a 1500-1600hp ProCharged / turbo engine? I'm looking hard at the Merlin X block mainly due to price (around $4k). Are there any down sides to alum. blocks? I'm considering going alum. over a Dart big M to reduce weight. Not trying to make every last ounce of HP. Planning to run a 4.500" bore with either a 3.75 or 4.00 stroke most likely.

Thanks.
Craig

[BlackHawk95]

Personally, I would go with either the Brodix or Donovan aluminum blocks. the Brodix are a little less expensive, but are just as nice. Jimmy Blackmon runs a Brodix BBC alum block in his twin turbo car and is consistantly running with the top dogs in O/L 10.5 with two 88mm turbos. Im not as big a fan of the Dart blocks, and even less so of the Merlin.
What heads are you planning to run?

JERID

[mhampton]

I always have run a Donovan and have never had any bad luck. NOS application though.

[BBCStang]

World told me not to run a Merlin X for anything I planned on spraying to make over 1200, so I can't imagine they would hold up to a Supercharger.

[Chris Uratchko]

I'd use a Donovan.

[BlackHawk95]

Thumbs Up, for the Donovan. They have serveral different styles and options to choose from. And as far as the World block goes, I think there only good for someone wanting to swap an iron crate motor block to alum. Not a hard core racing block.

[68Bird]

Thanks guys. I'll take a look at the Donovan block.

As for heads....I'm not sure what I'll do there. Depends on what size motor I end up with. May just keep my Canfield 335's, I think they'd work fine if I keep it at or below 500".

Craig

[Unlimited Resources]

Stay away from the World Products aluminum block. I have one and it's the biggest POS you have ever seen! Brodix or Donovan get my vote. The Brodix block can be had with so many different options (.903 lifter bores, roller cam bearings, raised cam height, numerous deck heights etc...) that it is probably your best option.

[onefast68]

i just bought a dart alum block..block looks stout thats for sure..1100+hp 632 with 3 stages in a 3200lb car...plan to start testing in a month.

[BlackHawk95]

I would say the Dart alum BBC block is a good one too, I havent seen them in person though. If you really want to go all out, call Dart and have them CNC a block for you any way you want it. Just expect to pay about double.

[larry santucci]

What aluminum block would you recommend for a small Block Chevy non-raised cam std. deck height?

A friend is looking into the World Block.

[BlackHawk95]

Brodix makes a standard cam block, standars pan rail too. in 9.025" deck. Donovan also has a 350 style block thats really nice too. Both would be great choices, the Donovan is a couple hundred more than the Brodix.
Personally I like the Brodix the best for small blocks and the Donovan on big block stuff.

Jerid

[hsutton]

From what i hear the aluminum blocks have constant maintainence issues, no matter who makes them. A guy here used a Merlin and pulled the whole deck off of one side with a big roots blower, i think a 8-71. But a local engine builder said he had to work on his all the time and they make about 50 fewer H.P. than cast iron block based engines. The only up side is weight and you can repair them with a welder when they break. The billet ones from CN or Dart might be somewhat stronger.

[BlackHawk95]

As far as the Mantainance goes, I dont think it anywhere as bad as people think, We've got two RDI 9.5" SBF's that have been run for years. First run on motor alone then run them a couple seasons on nitrous, heavy N2O that is, and now two seasons with twin turbos. One was even damaged pretty bad when a wastegate stuck and the boost went to around 58psi, completelt split a Yates head in half, blew holes through the steel layer of a cometic gasket and melted a few holes in the deck of the block. But, after a bit of welding and grinding. Good as new!
Also, from what it looks like to me, The aluminum block season with time. every season you rebuild it, it will pick up some power and finally level off.
Again, about Merlins I wouldnt put my high dollar parts at risk by using one. The Aluminum one that is.

[larry santucci]

He is going with a big Roots blower (10-71?) on the SBC injected on alcohol. You guys don't seem to like the World/Merlin Aluminum Blocks.

[BlackHawk95]

For racing the only block World make that I think about using is the SBF man o war block. It seems beefier than anything else they have.

[steve hurt]

Brodix or Donovan. For a Brodix Call APD, for a Donovan call Fulton or Eagle Racing Engines. Those shops were the best pricing available when I purchased last year.

Steve

[Seattle_Mike]

We run a Brodix block 632ci with raised cam, roller bearings etc. You have to get heat in the engine for it to run right...it even sounds different once it's get some heat. Engine makes tick under 1,300 and we can spray 700+ if need be...have run it all season with no issues so far. Big Chief heads. Weight is about 140# less than the iron block we had.