Billet aluminum 2L block

[So Cal Mark]

I was savvy enough to set up a machinist with a couple of Spiders. He wants to make some billet aluminum engine blocks. Of course he'd like to sell some besides making a couple for himself. He asked me to gauge interest in this product. The block would sell for about $4000 and come with the cylinders sleeved.

[divace73]

I was savvy enough to set up a machinist with a couple of Spiders. He wants to make some billet aluminum engine blocks. Of course he'd like to sell some besides making a couple for himself. He asked me to gauge interest in this product. The block would sell for about $4000 and come with the cylinders sleeved.

that is interesting, what would be the weight difference?

[ClarkTheShark]

I was savvy enough to set up a machinist with a couple of Spiders. He wants to make some billet aluminum engine blocks. Of course he'd like to sell some besides making a couple for himself. He asked me to gauge interest in this product. The block would sell for about $4000 and come with the cylinders sleeved.

Sounds more like engineering than machining. A pretty big project... One that manufacturers spend big money in making sure they get it right. There are probably some geometry changes that will have to be made internally to make it work. Also careful choice in alloy. If he is machining a new block, why not go ahead and get him to machine 16v head? Thats what we really want.

[djape1977]

+1

[wmausbach]

There are some basic problems with an aluminum block that negates a lot of weight savings such as the iron liners, plus the added material for structural reasons. Here is my take on why this is a bad idea.

1. I think if you benchmark a lot of the current thinking, you will find a surprise. The new all aluminum Ford truck uses
an iron block! Ford has some interesting comments about this, look it up. Even Fiat used an iron block in the 500
engine as does Ford in their new three cylinder turbocharged engine. To achieve a true light block you have to use
the Porsche liner-less block technology which isn't cheap. Frankly Ford and Fiat have a lot of engineering resources that
a backyard shop does not.
2. Compare the weights of an Alfa two liter to a Fiat two liter and you will find less that 20 lb difference. 2 liter Alfa's are
noted for blowing head gaskets. The factory race cars replaced the Alfa engine with the Lampredi 124 engine as the
last of the 4 cylinder Euro Sedan Championship in the early 90's. The Fiats iron block was noted for it's strength and
durability.
3. Who would spend $4000 on a Fiat with such an iffy Structural design. Better to spend that on Carbon Fiber doors,
hoods, and trunk lids to remove weight. Clark is right, spend the money on a replica of the Abarth head which is
lighter and more potential for power than the Fiat head. Actually one of our local guy's have a real Abarth 4 V head and
we are trying to get it laser scanned to develop a 3D model. I would pay $4000 for a Abarth 4 valve head, ie marketing
such a project is a no brainier.
I could come up with a least 4 more but this post is too long..
Regards
Wayne

[csi2000s]

How many recycled Coke cans do you think would be needed for an ally block?

[131]

spend the money on a replica of the Abarth head which is
lighter and more potential for power than the Fiat head. Actually one of our local guy's have a real Abarth 4 V head and
we are trying to get it laser scanned to develop a 3D model. I would pay $4000 for a Abarth 4 valve head, ie marketing
such a project is a no brainier.

The no brainer would be to spend less than half that on a better designed, better performing Fiat/Lancia 16V head.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Zylinderkopf ... 53e6ba7ab2

[fiatfactory]

.

[SoFlaFiat]

Anyone have a donor car I can start making molds from for carbon body panels

[djape1977]

16v head for RWD aplication that would have intake on left hand side of the car would be something...

right now, in my workshop, there's a alfa 1756cc all aluminium engine right beside 1608 fiat twincam, and i really can't tell the diference in weight if there's any

[MrJD]

those alfa engines are freakin huge, lol.

[So Cal Mark]

well, it's something he says that he will build for himself, not an item I've commissioned so we'll see how it turns out

[MIGHTY 8]

From another perspective, I can't imagine even having this conversation 20 years ago! The simple fact that there are people out there showing interest to this degree for our cars is commendable. Given this, I foresee in the not-too-distant future readily accessible "Period Correct" tried and tested 16v heads for those of us interested amongst other upgrades.
To "them" I say thank you for your efforts.

[131]

I foresee in the not-too-distant future readily accessible "Period Correct" tried and tested 16v heads.

Already available if you've got the coin to drop on it.

[fiatfactory]

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