[FOR SALE] Aluminum 5.2L Magnum Block - CL

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I have never heard of one either.
There is probabbly a reason that only four were made.
 
Actually I talked to this guy personally about this engine. It was made by a race group but can't remember who he said it was. It was something like Schumacher or one of those groups. It will run as is, supposedly. If I had the cash I def would pick it up!
 
I don't know, let's take a step back, 'K?

If this is so "good," why aren't they being produced? These are obviously a nearly "one off" deal which might mean there could be engineering flaws.

Last, just how much weight will you really really REALLY save between an alloy and iron bare block?
 
There might not be an engineering flaw. The "flaw" might be in the high price of the aluminum alloy that they used might not lend itself to be affordable to the general public.
 
Dont know if these are the same engines or not but in the mid-90s Chrysler made a handfull, four sounds about right, of magnum engines by pouring aluminum in the production molds at the urging of Bob Lutz. There was no addititional engineering work was done other than to make sure the heads had decent flow with valve seat inserts. As the Magnum development engineer I ran these on a performance dyno and they made exactly the same output - this is NOT what my bosses wanted to hear. There were no problems what so ever which just means that the production cast iron version was way way over- designed. The bottom line was the only reason to do this was weight saving and as someone said it was just too expensive.

I would have LOVED to get one of these but you know... That wouldn't have been right and these prototypes should have been melted down.

A bit more realistic was the "Max" 5.9 with a little bit higher compression, 2.02"'intake valves and a normal intake ( a $55 cost saving too) which actually had the same or better output than the 5.7 Hemi but that's another story.
 
SSVDP said:
A bit more realistic was the "Max" 5.9 with a little bit higher compression, 2.02"'intake valves and a normal intake ( a $55 cost saving too) which actually had the same or better output than the 5.7 Hemi but that's another story.
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And would certainly be an interesting one! I'd love to hear it...
 
SSVDP said:
Dont know if these are the same engines or not but in the mid-90s Chrysler made a handfull, four sounds about right, of magnum engines by pouring aluminum in the production molds at the urging of Bob Lutz. There was no addititional engineering work was done other than to make sure the heads had decent flow with valve seat inserts. As the Magnum development engineer I ran these on a performance dyno and they made exactly the same output - this is NOT what my bosses wanted to hear. There were no problems what so ever which just means that the production cast iron version was way way over- designed. The bottom line was the only reason to do this was weight saving and as someone said it was just too expensive.

I would have LOVED to get one of these but you know... That wouldn't have been right and these prototypes should have been melted down.

A bit more realistic was the "Max" 5.9 with a little bit higher compression, 2.02"'intake valves and a normal intake ( a $55 cost saving too) which actually had the same or better output than the 5.7 Hemi but that's another story.
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i think i remember one of the chrysler made aluminum 5.2/5.9 blocks showed up in mopar action back when they had great material (90's) and they said there were only a handfull as well...
 
I'm trying to remember the details from about 15 years ago. The weight savings were pretty respectable but I don't recall details. I'll see if I can find out. It could have worked which is amazing as aluminum is not as strong as cast iron.

The 5.9 "Max" is a good story and I wish I had more to do with it. It was really brilliant work by one engineer. It's real legacy is that it led to the 5.7l Hemi being so good. I'll make a separate post but I know I won't get to it for a few weeks.
 
Is there anything about the block that makes it "Magnum"? A lot of the later Mo-mills are coming with both mount systems in place.

Looks like a aftermarket race block to me?
Aluminum small blocks have been rumored before.

Regardless, I'd rock it if I had the dough. I wouldn't care if it wasn't max horsepower, the handling effects would rock.
 
67Dart273 said:
I don't know, let's take a step back, 'K?

If this is so "good," why aren't they being produced? These are obviously a nearly "one off" deal which might mean there could be engineering flaws.

Last, just how much weight will you really really REALLY save between an alloy and iron bare block?
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X2 I agree with this statement.
 
SSVDP,got me curious,subscribed.I read they did a larger intake c.c. port casting at first. The 2.02 valve option ,makes sense then.
 
Years ago, when PAW sold everything under the sun, they sold 340 aluminum blocks. Who made those I wonder? You could get almost every major V8 made with an aluminum block and some with heads too. Of course as usual, they had less of Chrysler than anything, but I remember the 340 blocks in aluminum were available. Maybe somebody with an old PAW book can confirm it. I don't have mine anymore.
 
Rob, are you speaking of PAW ( Performance Automotive Warehouse ) which was in Chatsworth in San Fernando Valley California. I've bought many parts there in the 80's and 90's and although they had several engines on their showroom floor, I actually never saw an aluminum one, otherwise I probably would have jumped on it, not that I jump on things I don't need. Could it have been they only had them in their catalog and yet their showroom was only a small part of their warehouse and it was big..
 
Abodybomber said:
Same here. My guess,Milodon. They were in deep, with P.A W......
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I'm almost positive Milodon did not make any Small Block Chrysler aluminum blocks. I can ask the owner, he's been there for 35+ years.

I have some old PAW catalogs. I'll check. I don't remember seeing any in there though. Mopar Performance had one that was really set up for sprint car racing. It might have been in the PAW catalog.

PAW owned Milodon for a while.
 
The 2001 PAW catalog lists aluminum blocks on pages 87 & 88. Both are Chevrolet Small & Big blocks. It offers a 300hp V8 Magnum 300 (longblock) Engine Assembly $3195.00 with 1.925" intake & 1.625" exhaust valves, an M1 aluminum dual plane intake. MPP-P5249498* & a 426 HEMI $13,499 465HP/486ft.-lbs. & a 528 HEMI 610HP/ 650ftlbs for $14,950.00

SB heads page 123 EDE-6077* $1249.95 pr. & EDE-6017 for $1210.95 pr.
 
I read that paw catalog like a bible and never saw an al mopar block in la form. I do remember the sleeved std bore 340 blocks you could buy, thought that was a stroke of Genius. I bought a forged crank for my 340 and it was a 318 poly machined for a 340. Worked fine for me. Those guys were cheap. Heard the old man owner had a smokin hot young gal pal and would driver her around in a convertible new at the time vette. Went under and is now focused on early hemi...maybe a pet of his. If anyone outside mopar could cast that, it would be world products or edelbrock.

As for the block working with al, i doubt it would be as good as it could be in iron as al is pound for pound stronger, not in the same Dimension/mold though. thats why al rods are so much beefier as they have to be to hold up. Imagine a al rod forged in the same dimensions of an iron one, would last 1 run.
 
That motor has been listed on there for about a year forsale. it's definately a conversation piece.
 
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