Aluminum Heads?

which engine do you have? chevy LS? aluminum block? or were they aftermarket, do you guys flush after use? a little more info is needed.

three words, closed circuit cooling.
indmar really should have known.

Don't bastard the hamerhead, just add the heat exchanger and accessories to run 50/50 coolant.

there is no reason you cant use cast heads on the cast block, to make sure call the summit tech line,
the set will have to be for the vortech with similar valves, i do not think the computer will notice this type of change and if it does it may recalibrate by itself

leo0648 wrote: He thinks when a company engineers and engine, every part is built specifically for certain specifications and by changing the heads we will screw up the whole engine.

Ok so corrode another set of AL heads or buy some iron ones. What is the problem here?

When you flush, does it get hot enough to open the tstat? else you are just flushing the manifolds.

I suspect that is insufficient

The tstat is only going to crack open if at all, because there is no load on the engine.

The little fresh water that does go in the block and heads does not positively displace the salinated water, it dilutes it, because it is still circulating.

It would take quite a while for the salt to leave the building.

you need too find a cast set of vortechs with it looks like .202 intakes and .160 exhausts,
if you match this with the correct chambers they should be identical in preformance, by bolting on aluminum heads doesnt mean the engine is a high performance engine, it means it is lighter. I'm 99% sure you can find identical heads in cast such as the Vortech heads. if you do the computor will not sense cast or aluminum

eric lavine wrote: you need too find a cast set of vortechs with it looks like .202 intakes and .160 exhausts, if you match this with the correct chambers they should be identical in preformance, by bolting on aluminum heads doesnt mean the engine is a high performance engine, it means it is lighter. I'm 99% sure you can find identical heads in cast such as the Vortech heads. if you do the computor will not sense cast or aluminum

Eric, there is something to consider here about aluminum vs cast iron. Aluminum heads dissipate head more efficiently as well as heat and cool more evenly than cast iron. This means that you can safely run a higher compression ratio with them (at least a whole point more). GM knows this and that's one reason why they use aluminum heads on many of their high performance engines. While it's true that his engine's computer will sense any knock and adjust timing (retard it) to eliminate it, he will lose some performance in the process due to the computer making these adjustments. That is if the Electronic Spark Control (EST) system has wide enough of an operating window. I think I'd want to check with one of GM's or PCM's engineers first before doing this.

Brian

Hey guys,

I just got back from looking at a project nautique in SC.

Looks like this forum is starting to open up with suggestions and debate. As far as performance goes, I dont really care about losing 10-20 hp. The engine is rated at 365 hp. We never run the engine at WOT. Only wakeboarding speeds of 23mph. If anything, I would rather less hp and save on the fuel.

My biggest concern is if I swap to cast iron, is that I will cause engine problems down the road.

Yes, rednecks make good engines, but they only last for 500 laps.

I dont care about the loss of power. This is a strong engine, I wouldnt even notice 10-20hp loss.

That makes sense 'Gottaski'. Would rev'in up the engine while flush make the t-stat open?

Ok, I am gonna call Summit tomorrow and see what they think.

Last question: Will all the bolts from the aluminum heads fit the cast iron? And will the intake work with cast iron heads?

I dont see why they wouldn't if they are both vortec castings.

Sure glad that there a no rednecks named Shelby, Garlits, or Petty out there, cause that sure screw up Le Mans and Nascar youse guys. Y'know Mastercraft made there powerslot by putting a bigger prop on, and where it scratched the hull is where they built an indention, and called it the powerslot. High ho reneck away!!!!!!

I took the heads off yesterday, and sure enough, they corroded again. A very small hole around the firing ring was letting water into the 6th cylinder.

Here are the numbers I pulled off
0-12367712
B6529-3
Zeus