Ford's 2011 Aluminum Block Technology
- Thread starter dbackg
- Start date
BlackICE
GT Owner
FordGTGuy
Well-known member
Watched a video on this very cool stuff and a huge weight saver for the engine in the new GT500. Not to mention very durable might see this technology in future attempts at high mileage vehicles by saving weight and increasing engine life.
As far as your Ford GT's tach I suggest calling up Pagani and getting one of these steering wheel tachs pretty damn hot.
As far as your Ford GT's tach I suggest calling up Pagani and getting one of these steering wheel tachs pretty damn hot.
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Where do you put the Federal required driver side air bag if you install this tach?
Also, while I applaud Ford in developing this new PTWA, and I hope it is different, these type of iron on aluminum "systems" have been around for 20 years or so with varing degrees of success.
Also, while I applaud Ford in developing this new PTWA, and I hope it is different, these type of iron on aluminum "systems" have been around for 20 years or so with varing degrees of success.
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Exactly!
Although to be fair, the "DuraBuilt" Vega engine although an aluminum block, did not use a coating on the cylinder wall. Instead GM developed a "high silicon" aluminum alloy and the aluminum was etched away from the silicon nodules on the cylinder bore surface theorizing the iron rings would thus be contacting and riding on the now protruding silicon which has good wear properties.
It was dropped after a few years and GM had to give people a 100K mileage warranty on the engine to move the cars off the dealer lots.
But the Ford PWTA process is different and I really hope it works for Ford. They had some smart people working on the development of this technology.
Although to be fair, the "DuraBuilt" Vega engine although an aluminum block, did not use a coating on the cylinder wall. Instead GM developed a "high silicon" aluminum alloy and the aluminum was etched away from the silicon nodules on the cylinder bore surface theorizing the iron rings would thus be contacting and riding on the now protruding silicon which has good wear properties.
It was dropped after a few years and GM had to give people a 100K mileage warranty on the engine to move the cars off the dealer lots.
But the Ford PWTA process is different and I really hope it works for Ford. They had some smart people working on the development of this technology.
Howard
GT Owner
Cobrar
GT Owner
One of the limitations of coating processes is the uniformity of wall thickness. Has to be an important consideration in this application. I wonder how that was dispositioned?
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
CJ you are correct. With a plasma or flame spray application of relatively thin wear metal on the alum bore you cannot over-bore or otherwise hone (very much) the cylinder walls. One of the "drawbacks" if modding your engine to increase displacement is the way you want to go. Then too if you break a ring and score the cylinder it is new block ($) time instead of possibly overboring and saving the block. But the block is lighter without the steel liners. All tradeoffs in the engine design.
THamonGT
GT
I was just notified that dealers are now receiving allocations for the 2011 Shelby 500 Mustangs. The dealership I recently sold (Gene Hamon Ford) now Cook Ford has an allocation for one. If interested call Perry Turnbow at 409 948-2541. Dealership is located in Texas City, Texas. I personally don't think they will be bringing premium prices due to the current economic conditions. They haven't ordered it yet. I sure like the looks of them.Tomy Hamon
tpraceman
THEE GT OWNER
Tomy off topic but I sure would like to see your Blue 70...any photos?:thumbsup
And yes I hear the 2011 Shelby is one stout stang