besides the weight, what are other drawbacks from using a stock 455 cast iron intake vs aluminum on a performance build?

 

stock aluminum V stock cast iron, there is no other difference than weight. are you talking aftermarket aluminum? how much of a performance build? i have seen very nice builds with stock manifolds that were very fast for a street engine. i guess it is a matter of how much performance.

 

i say use the stock one if it's in good condition and buy some "aluma-blast" spray paint from Eastwood and 'blast it. it looks cool, isn't permanent so if you want to repaint it later you can.

 

I dunno. My 455 moves pretty well with the old slug on it. I have a performer in the garage waiting on my lazy but to install it, but the thought of lifting that anchor by myself AGAIN is just making me wait. And I have to get an electric choke kit for my quadrajet.

 

Durability could be a big factor here. I had an engine builder point out to me that the cast iron intakes held up better with the exhaust crossover. If you find any used aluminum intakes, look for cracks or welded repairs in the same area.

 

Would the heat transfer be better on an aluminum intake?

 

I guess the repeated heating and cooling weakens the aluminum intake at the exhaust crossover and not on the cast iron models. I began to see a pattern at swap meets after looking at several used Olds aluminum intakes that had been repaired in the same area.

I also had experience with aluminum intakes leaking coolant on small block chevys at the front water passages. Newer antifreeze formulas seem to avoid this problem now.

Just my experience and observations, nothing more.

 

im just looking for something to get me in the high 10s low 11s but i know that probably wont happen with a stock intake. im doing a street build but i also want something with enough power to give most street cars no chance. i have a heads, true dual manifolds, block is getting bored .60 over, dish top pistons, 425 7" rods, stock crank, lunati bracket master 2 cam, holley 750. i have 3 stock intakes in my garage to choose from, 2 of them are x intakes with OLDSMOBILE cast in. the other is a b intake square bore.

 

and my car is an 86 cutlass, will be putting posi and 3.73s in it soon