I don't know much about engine building...what exactly do you need to turn a shortblock into a longblock?

 

heads

 

that's it?

 

in its simplest form yes.

 

how about in a little more complicated form?

 

Timing chain, Oil pump, Lifters, in the more complicated form.

 

well, a basic shortblock consists of; machined block, bearings (rod, main, cam), crank, rods, and pistons. many sponsors give you the option of adding a cam, oil pump, timing chain, ect. those same options are usually standard w/ a long block, along with lifters and pushrods. so, like i said, heads are the only difference in its simplest form.