Repower: 496 stroker vs 502-gctid823987

[businessgetmoney]

Ok so im doing a rebuild this winter. As i price out a 496 with aluminum heads im starting to ask myself what the costs would be to pick up built 502's

Are 502's aluminum? On a 496, Im looking at 2.1k in heads, then 500 for retro rollers, and idk 400 for intake as well to match. Obviously that will be an awesome build, but mainly want the aluminum to drop weight, probably close to 400lbs total off the stern, which is great!

454's are expensive and i dont think they are even making them anymore. What if i shopped for a vortec 454, that gives me a roller already and better heads, whats aluminum on them?

[Ruffryder]

400 lbs weight saving is dreaming...

BBC stock cylinder head is 66 lbs, Edelbrock aluminum head is 42 lbs, so 96 lbs over 4 cylinder heads. cast iron intake is 50 lbs vs 20 lbs aluminum intake, add another 60lbs,

Total weight saving of 156 lbs.

502 long block is about $7000

502 complete package carb is app $15,000

502 complete package EFI is app $20,000

nothing aluminum even on a $20,000 complete package, but you'll find a pair of stainless Steel dry joint exhaust elbow though.

[businessgetmoney]

Was told by edelbrock tech they are 100-110 lighter per engine. They have got to be thats a large chunk of iron sitting on the blocks. Heard same 100lb figure from others running aluminum heads.

Additional weight saving from aluminum exhaust.

So no aluminum vortec blocks?

[Ruffryder]

As I said... you will NOT save 100 lbs from running aluminum heads, close to 80 lbs with an aluminum intake per engine.

Dart makes them both, Aluminum block alone is about $7000, their Aluminum cylinder heads are about $4000, now we are talking about $30,000 each engine.

Brodix is even more.

[businessgetmoney]

Obviously not going to drop that coin on this. Just curious if starting with a built block is more cost effective if they already are coming with aluminum heads at least. Performance aside..

[Cool_Beans]

What is this going in?

454 are a dime a dozen from rebuilders. It's the most ubiquitous big block gas engine in boating history, probably You are talking about the marinized Chevy 454, right?

Aftermarket aluminum heads really shine with improved port flow, larger valves, and the material dissipates heat faster so you can run a little more compression and more ignition advance on "pump" gas. Strokers don't normally turn fast enough to need the improved port flow or larger valves. You probably wouldn't notice a difference iron vs aluminum with compression ratios and ignition timing...

Are you planning to build this yourself? If you haven't, I'd talk with a good marine engine builder about your performance goals. You might find something like a 383 Vortec or marinized LS1 engine would serve you better?

Just my free 2 cents :side:

[Yendrabuilt]

Just go out and find an old Can-Am racing 427, Chevy actually made these engines.

GM #3952318 is a 4.25 bore 356 AL alloy block with iron sleeves

GM #3990238 is a 4.440 block

GM #3946072 is the aluminum heads

This is the recipe for the ZL-1 Engine

Great for a Chapparel or McLaren

For my modest funds the 383 looks good!

[businessgetmoney]

Its going in a 12-15k lbs cruiser.

I guess the main thing i want to address is sticking with my current mark iv 454 to rebuild or start with a different block. Being that the mark iv is flat tappet and retro rollers are expensive amd inalready want different heads.

[businessgetmoney]

Example, a reman gen vi vortec from michigan motors is just under 4k... its not a stroker but it does give me a roller block at least.