Sorry if this question has already been answered, but my question is, i plan on building a 441 with an LSX standard deck block, with the 4.125 stroke, will I still run into issues with the piston skirt coming out of the bottom of the bore? Also, Im still in the planning stages of this, so are there any other issues I should be aware of with this block?

 

With the right piston, it'll be fine. Wiseco has pistons that will work, just be sure to specify what you're doing when you order.

 

Ok, cool. thank you for the reply. Also, my next question, Ive been looking at a set of Mast heads also, although this build will probably be over the next year or so, im looking at the biggest baddest heads to go on this motor. So would the mast ls7 style 305s be a good choice? Or over kill? My goals with this motor are to get atleast 600 rwhp on motor through a t56, and later on down the road I have plans for a turbo.

 

Those MAST LS7 305 should be plenty for your build. And mind as well match it with their LS7 4500 Efi intake.GL

 

i looked at that intake, or a similar style intake, but i would like to keep from cutting the cowl up on my car. I was thinking more along the lines of using a sheet metal intake, would one of those intakes be sufficient for what im trying to do?

 

How much are you shooting for with a turbo? A 4" crank may be better if you're looking for a lot of power. It allows the piston the be more robust to handle the power adder more reliably.

Mast makes really nice heads. They're more than capable of 600whp through a T56.

 

ideally, i would like to get 1000+ with turbo, but i would be happy if it makes 900. A turbo will definitely be well down the road, but it is in the plan.

 

also, if any of my plan sounds un-realistic, please correct me or tell me what would work better. Im familiar with ls stuff and i have put together quite a few cars, but i have never planned stuff out myself. im by no means an engine builder, so sorry if any questions seem a little off

 

Two completely different build foundation from the start if you're wanting 600rwhp NA, then turbo down the road. You may not need all that cubic inches/stoke/High CR, if wanting force induction. IMO.
And yes the sheetmetal intake would be beneficial for force induction.

 

so, would this plan maybe be way overkill for what my goals are? if im not mistaken, i could probably get very similair numbers with a turbo out of, lets say a 370 or a 408 6.0 based engine? And probably alot more cost effective im sure

 

You can go with the DART LsNext 9.45" which has .375" extended sleeve and with 4.125X4.125 and 6.25"(Oliver makes LS Rod that size) rod you should have about 1.52 rod ratio and the pistons should be really happy down there with long sleeve.

 

A little update on everything, I have sence went away from the big cubic inches and high compression. I ended up going with a 408 ci engine, with a 10.2-10.5 compression ratio in mind. Currently waiting to get everything back from the machine shop. A buddy of mine is also a dealer for procharger, so it also looks as if I will be slapping a f1-x on it as well.

 

Well all of that is still very exciting. Definitely keep us updated.

 

Well, I know its been a while since I have updated this post, but I finally got everything for the short block back from the machine shop. For some reason everything sat there for about 3 months. I guess they were super busy. But, in the next week or 2 I will start assembly of the short block and I will be sure to post some pics of everything going together. I went with some Weisco dished pistons, lunati h beams and a lunati crank. Arp everything and king race bearings. Should be a pretty strong bottom end. Still unsure of what heads to go with, but Mast is definitely still my #1 choice, but as everyone knows, they are pretty pricey. Might just throw some ported 317s to get it running until I can buy the heads. But pics will definitely be in the near future.

 

To keep the cost of heads reasonable, and since you will be putting the centri blower on it anyways... I would probably go with something simple and proven like the TFS 220 fast as cast heads. You already mentioned using cathedral port heads to get it up and running, that is why I mentioned the TFS 220's. They are generally the best bang for the buck cathedral port head that I know of. Although some of Tony's MMS 235's would really do well on something like this, but cost a little more.

 

I know you are supposed to match you cam to your heads, but i already bought a cam prior to heads. Its a 238/242 .635/635 on 112. I know the lsa is a little close for boosted applications, but I wanted the engine to rev a little quicker which is why I went a little tighter. But, although Mast makes a nice head that I would really like to have, but, would a 235-247cc head be sufficient?

 

Also, when putting the short block together, I plan on running somewhere around 15psi of boost, maybe more, and I already have a 150 shot on the car. As far as ring gap goes, what would be a safe gap?

 

Personally, I still think the TFS 220's touched up by Brian Tooley are the best performance per dollar aftermarket heads. The 220cc intake runner may be rather small for a naturally aspirated 408, but you already have plans for boost. So you put a good intake and a good true dual exhaust on it, and enjoy. I like the cam you have and think it will work well with the TFS 220's.

 

Well, here is an update. Finally got the engine together and in the car. It runs great and I am very pleased with the engine. I assembled everything myself, and it started up on the first turn of the key. So far I have about 6-700 miles on it so far and have not had any problems. Have yet to get it on the dyno, but I did get a solid street tune on it.

 

Is that a LSX block? And what did the Machine shop do? Balance Rotating Assm.?
Did you have any problems with that chain against the intake manifold?
Nice Build, sounds like a beast.