LT5 bare block - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

tpepmeie · 03-17-2016

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 · 03-17-2016

Neat stuff, Todd

Paul Workman · 03-18-2016

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 · 03-18-2016

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

W i l l · 03-18-2016

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 · 03-18-2016

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 · 03-18-2016

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 · 03-18-2016

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

XfireZ51 · 01-02-2017

Quote:

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 · 01-02-2017

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.

03-17-2016	#1
tpepmeie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 815	LT5 bare block 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. __________________ Todd ____________________________________ *** our email address has changed! info@pepmeierengines.com pepmeierengines.com Friend us on Facebook too: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011443683384 Pepmeier Engine Development

03-17-2016	#2
Blue Flame Restorations Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pendleton, IN Posts: 3,904	Re: LT5 bare block Neat stuff, Todd __________________ 1988 KOH Prototype EX5023 sold 1990 ZR-1 #444 Convertible 1990 ZR-1 Black #966 1991 ZR-1 Quazar Blue #296 1957 Duntov SS Project

03-18-2016	#3
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: LT5 bare block 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. __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry Last edited by Paul Workman; 03-18-2016 at 10:08 AM.

03-18-2016	#4
W i l l Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 77	Re: LT5 bare block Hi Todd, I think there is a speck of dirt on the floor.... Just kidding. Nice shop!!

03-18-2016	#5
W i l l Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 77	Re: LT5 bare block 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

03-18-2016	#6
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,394	Re: LT5 bare block 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. __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1*, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed.

03-18-2016	#7
tpepmeie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 815	Re: LT5 bare block 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. __________________ Todd ____________________________________ *** our email address has changed! info@pepmeierengines.com pepmeierengines.com Friend us on Facebook too: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011443683384 Pepmeier Engine Development

03-18-2016	#8
tpepmeie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 815	Re: LT5 bare block Cosworth liners and the OEM LT5 liners. Guess which is which __________________ Todd ____________________________________ *** our email address has changed! info@pepmeierengines.com pepmeierengines.com Friend us on Facebook too: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011443683384 Pepmeier Engine Development

01-02-2017	#10
rkreigh Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Alex VA Posts: 1,087	Re: LT5 bare block 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. __________________ 95 390 LPE ZR1 (505 rwhp) LSV = Lingenfelter Super Vette Twin Turbo 2003 Z06 (800 RWHP)