Looking for block opinions/recommendations!!!
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 374
From: Armstrong BC
Looking for block opinions/recommendations!!! Hey guys so after what seemed like forever trying to get any work done on my engine I finally got to load up the block and take it to the machine shop to get worked over. It's an 06 iron 6.0L LQ4 block don't know much background except it lost oil pressure and took out 3 main bearings. Anyway not more than probably 2 hours after dropping it off the shop calls me saying they've found a hair line crack going the length of the #7 cylinder!!! F*ck. So I went back they showed me the line and sure enough there it was. Put a huge damper on my good time. This is my rotating assembly:
Wiseco -11cc pistons 4.030"
New forged LSA crankshaft
Lunati H beam rods 6.125"
New built LSA cylinder heads
Custom turbo cam
s480 t6 turbo 96mm exhaust 1.32ar
Was looking to hit roughly 900-1000hp on 18-20 psi. So now I'm doing some block shopping and I've been looking into the Dart SHP Ls next block or an LSX block. The Dart block looks awesome but on top of the block cost it needs like another $850 in special parts specifically for those blocks.
Link to Dart block: http://dartheads.com/dart-product/shp-ls-next/
Link to LSX block: https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...0093/overview/
I'm kinda leaning towards the LSX block mainly cause it doesn't need special parts and all I'd have to do is get it bored and honed to my pistons and line honed with main studs and I should be back on track.
Anyways I'd love to hear some real world opinions on either of these and why you'd go one over the other. Thanks a bunch guys have fun!
Wiseco -11cc pistons 4.030"
New forged LSA crankshaft
Lunati H beam rods 6.125"
New built LSA cylinder heads
Custom turbo cam
s480 t6 turbo 96mm exhaust 1.32ar
Was looking to hit roughly 900-1000hp on 18-20 psi. So now I'm doing some block shopping and I've been looking into the Dart SHP Ls next block or an LSX block. The Dart block looks awesome but on top of the block cost it needs like another $850 in special parts specifically for those blocks.
Link to Dart block: http://dartheads.com/dart-product/shp-ls-next/
Link to LSX block: https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...0093/overview/
I'm kinda leaning towards the LSX block mainly cause it doesn't need special parts and all I'd have to do is get it bored and honed to my pistons and line honed with main studs and I should be back on track.
Anyways I'd love to hear some real world opinions on either of these and why you'd go one over the other. Thanks a bunch guys have fun!
If I were wanting to do what you are wanting to do, I’d pick up another lq4/lq9 iron block. I see them for sale all the time, usually already machined and cleaned. It would save you money, if it matters...
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 374
From: Armstrong BC
Yeah most of the blocks around where I'm living are usually just the whole motor that a guy wants $1000-1500 for. I'd have to tear it all apart yada yada yada. Going with a new block I know exactly what I've got plus it'll give me a huge amount of room to grow. The block comes with billet main caps so I can sell the other set I've got. And I'll have the option of using 6 bolt heads. The money doesn't really matter to me it's only money. The wife and I decided were not having kids a few years ago with me working in the oilfield and her running her hair business were just too busy. Oilfield is a cruel mistress!! LMAO
Yeah most of the blocks around where I'm living are usually just the whole motor that a guy wants $1000-1500 for. I'd have to tear it all apart yada yada yada. Going with a new block I know exactly what I've got plus it'll give me a huge amount of room to grow. The block comes with billet main caps so I can sell the other set I've got. And I'll have the option of using 6 bolt heads. The money doesn't really matter to me it's only money. The wife and I decided were not having kids a few years ago with me working in the oilfield and her running her hair business were just too busy. Oilfield is a cruel mistress!! LMAO
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 374
From: Armstrong BC
Gotcha. It sounded as though you were budget minded when you mentioned the extra $850 in specialty parts for the dart block, which is why I suggested stock iron block. Obviously if your wanting to go 6 bolt heads eventually, you already know which direction you need to be going.
Trending Topics
LSX Block Hi Z28, MY experience is BASED on knowledge learned with MY LSX (short deck) block purchase.
1. Block Weight is +100 .lbs greater than an AL Block (a heavy block)
2. Lifter trays are different
3. Billet MAIN CAPS (1000+ HP Requirement)
4. Improved Oil Galleries
5. Thick Deck
6. Under 2K price
I fit ARP studs with ONLY a "kiss" align hone.
Thus my choice = LSX
My AL choice would be the RHS Block.
Lance
1. Block Weight is +100 .lbs greater than an AL Block (a heavy block)
2. Lifter trays are different
3. Billet MAIN CAPS (1000+ HP Requirement)
4. Improved Oil Galleries
5. Thick Deck
6. Under 2K price
I fit ARP studs with ONLY a "kiss" align hone.
Thus my choice = LSX
My AL choice would be the RHS Block.
Lance
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I think the SHP block is the same price point as the LSX isnt it? And, it needs less expensive machine work to get it ready for assembly.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 374
From: Armstrong BC
In looking at that list, there is really not much that would be extra cost in most builds. You are going to have to get a 6 bolt head bolt or stud kit anyway. The block comes with main bolts, but you can upgrade to main studs if you want. You are going to have to buy main bearings any way you look at it. The small parts kit is $125. That is all your dowels, valley plugs etc. That $125 is a lot cheaper than the main line hone, lifter bore work and squaring that the LSX blocks needs.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 374
From: Armstrong BC
In looking at that list, there is really not much that would be extra cost in most builds. You are going to have to get a 6 bolt head bolt or stud kit anyway. The block comes with main bolts, but you can upgrade to main studs if you want. You are going to have to buy main bearings any way you look at it. The small parts kit is $125. That is all your dowels, valley plugs etc. That $125 is a lot cheaper than the main line hone, lifter bore work and squaring that the LSX blocks needs.
One of the advantages to a Dart block is that they're easy to repair at your local performance machine shop. If you drop a valve and score a cylinder wall, it's not big deal to sleeve a Dart block.
I did that once at the track with a ford 351W. I had the engine out, disassembled, repaired, and back running again on a week. No kidding. A week. With a stock block, I would have been shopping for another block, and that could have taken a month or more just to find one.
I did that once at the track with a ford 351W. I had the engine out, disassembled, repaired, and back running again on a week. No kidding. A week. With a stock block, I would have been shopping for another block, and that could have taken a month or more just to find one.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 374
From: Armstrong BC
One of the advantages to a Dart block is that they're easy to repair at your local performance machine shop. If you drop a valve and score a cylinder wall, it's not big deal to sleeve a Dart block.
I did that once at the track with a ford 351W. I had the engine out, disassembled, repaired, and back running again on a week. No kidding. A week. With a stock block, I would have been shopping for another block, and that could have taken a month or more just to find one.
I did that once at the track with a ford 351W. I had the engine out, disassembled, repaired, and back running again on a week. No kidding. A week. With a stock block, I would have been shopping for another block, and that could have taken a month or more just to find one.
I haven't built any Dart blocks yet, but the last LSX block I built just needed more time in the boring bar since they come in with 3.8" bores.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 374
From: Armstrong BC
Dart says this area is actually stronger. They said the metal in that area is much thicker and better designed. And, since the splayed main cap design does away with the cross-bolts, this does away with the compartments created in the main webbing thereby improving the windage in the crankcase.
The Dart mains are "only" 4 bolts. The outers are splayed out, to supports the mains in a different plane. They are pretty beefy. If you're planning on drag racing with more than about 2000 HP or so, then I think they might not be strong enough. Maybe. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.