LT5 bare block

[tpepmeie]

Maybe the last LT5 "virgin" block in the world. Who wants a 700bhp / 380 cu. in. engine?

In all seriousness, I am using this block to develop the liners and block machining program for new liners. I'd like to offer aluminum nikasil coated liners up to 4.000, and ductile iron closed deck out to 4.130 bore. The designs are being worked up.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Neat stuff, Todd

[Paul Workman]

I'm interested! Do keep us in the loop!

Paul.

AES has done a few closed deck LT5s; Bob Gillig's 427, Al Dashto and Kevin Costello's 441s (cranks came from Bryant, IIRC). I don't know if that would interest you - save having to do some of that machining - or NOT (I dunno). But, the 4.000 nikasil liners are VERY interesting, especially if the machining to the block was minimal.

My pending build plan would be a sleeve and cam re-grind - NO offset grind on the crank seriously being considered at the moment. Being able to have 4" nikasil aluminum sleeves...would be ideal for what I would hope to be a very reliable upgrade.

[W i l l]

Hi Todd, I think there is a speck of dirt on the floor.... Just kidding. Nice shop!!

[W i l l]

Since aluminum 4.00" liners would not have enough wall thickness, would it be possible to machine the liners from titanium (for strength) and line them with Nikasil (for wear resistance) to avoid machining the block? Not that I have anything against deflowering virgins..., but just looking for an alternative to block shock

[A26B]

Great concept Todd.

Rebuilding the LT5 with new rings & sleeves is becoming a vanishing possibility. The first item to go extinct will be rings, then sleeves & new pistons.

For several years now, I have been toying with the idea of developing a major overhaul kit comprised of new sleeves, pistons & rings, with an increase in bore to 4.00". I see no reason to rebuild with a stock 3.90: bore. I am glad you are doing this and I would be glad to refer my customers to you for those parts or buy from you for my customers.

[tpepmeie]

Jerry,
the problem with an aluminum liner is getting enough wall thickness at the bottom. You cannot go less than .120, or the liner won't have the necessary stiffness, at least I wouldn't feel comfortable less than that. I have a Cosworth XD wet liner which is .120". Stock LT5 is about .135".

An iron liner can go .080" or even less because of the stiffness of the material.

If I go ahead with the Aluminum liners, the OD would be oversize and thus require the bottom of the block to be machined larger. This shouldn't be a big deal for most competent machine shops. Nonetheless, a 4.000 aluminum liner wouldn't be a "drop-in" replacement.

So, why bother? Well, a couple of reasons, mainly the same that Lotus decided. 1) lighter weight-not a big deal for most of us, 2) better wear resistance, and 3) friction reduction again due to the properties of the coating.

[tpepmeie]

Cosworth liners and the OEM LT5 liners. Guess which is which

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by tpepmeie

Cosworth liners and the OEM LT5 liners. Guess which is which

So Todd, is that Cosworth as in C7 ZR1 Cosworth?

[rkreigh]

the nikasil is certainly great stuff and adds to the durability of the LT5 bores.

But can't you just get the ductile iron liners coated?

Seems like it would be lower price and still meet your 4.0 goals

I'd love to see how much it would cost to nikasil coat a set of AES liners.

That seems like it might be feasible.