Aluminum or iron for the head material?


http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic9145.aspx
Print Topic | Close Window

By Ted - 16 Years Ago
There are options in head materials.  Aluminum is lighter but has more heat going straight to the water jacket and subsequently not being turned into energy (horsepower).  But improved air flow as well as a compression increase can compensate for this.  On the other hand, iron heads would be good too especially if the flow numbers are increased and even if the combustion chambers stay at the stock 69cc ‘G’ size.

I’m assuming that the head manufacturer will have final say in the material being used but will be nice if the heads are designed around the material.  I’d personally hate to see another fiasco like the Edelbrocks for the Fe where there’s a drop in performance using the aluminum head over the factory cast irons only because there was not an accompanying increase in air flow and compression ratio to go along with production of them in aluminum.  Referring to out of the box and unported of course.

By charliemccraney - 16 Years Ago
I'm not a very big guy so I would like the reduced weight of the aluminum head. The out-of-the-box performance will have to be near that of a ported iron head, somewhere around Mummert's street port, to really interest me.

In any case a NEW, performance oriented head will be great, regardless of the material of which it is made.
By yehaabill - 16 Years Ago
Y-guys     Wouldn't the aluminum head be better for reducing the chance of

              detonation, especially in boost mode or that chance of a tank of

               bad gas..   Bill

By pcmenten - 16 Years Ago
I prefer iron for the reasons that Ted mentioned; improved efficiency, cooler operation, quieter operation, compatibility with iron blocks, durability.
By speedpro56 - 16 Years Ago
NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!  Aluminum heads look like there going to be a reality according to John Mummert of El Cajon Ca.w00t Spread the WORD.BigGrin