Budget 440 ls2 build
Budget 440 ls2 build I picked up a used block on the forum for cheap and it included arp main studs and head studs but the bore was going to have to be .030 over. So Erl is punching it out to 4.185 for me and fitting some wiseco pistons for a 4 in. stroke. (Those guys sure seem decent to deal with. ) The heads will be hand ported ls3's with a 102 matched up. I have a used 242/248 cam. Some ls7 springs, trickflow 3/8 pushrods, a used ported/shimmed oil pump, .040 head gaskets. Comp should be about 11.5. It looks like I can get it done for about $6,000.00 not counting my labor of course. I used to race 440 mopars with my gto when I was in college...that was a long time ago. The idea that we can now get that many cubes from a tiny little 400lb engine is amazing to me.
The LS2 block is not able to be bored out to a 4.185 bore, so I will go ahead and say it's a 100% chance it's getting re-sleeved. 
An ERL LS2 Resleeved 440 CID Stroker (4.185 Bore x 4.00 Stroke) Dry sleeve setup would be bada$$. I'm assuming this will be a NA build?? It would surely hold some Spray too tho. And good Luck with the build! I'm positive you'll love it!
FWIW, You may want to consider going to a 4.155 Bore and have that extra piece of mind in case you ever need to bore it out a little bit later on. At 4.185 on the bore you are maxed out. ERL does offer a .005 hone after that initial 4.185 bore, but they did say it's your last hope if you need a rebuild. Basically your living on the edge at that point b/c in the event your cylinder walls are worn beyond a .005 hone you'll need to have the block made into a Wet Sleeve setup or just trash everything and start over. You can go from a dry sleeve to a wet sleeve setup tho in the future if need be, but you can't go from a wet sleeve setup to a dry sleeve setup. That's what I was told when talking with them! I do believe that the 4.155 bore and the 4.00 stroke would still net you 434 CI's as well. Which is plenty on an NA build. But if you want the 440 CI for the COOL Factor, I totally understand. It's like saying I got a 454 under the hood (in an LS1 car) and everyone is like WHAT! lol Considering we all know a 454 doesn't come factory in these cars.
ERL is an awesome company to deal with and you'll get what you pay for that's for sure.
Keep us all updated if you go this route...
-James
An ERL LS2 Resleeved 440 CID Stroker (4.185 Bore x 4.00 Stroke) Dry sleeve setup would be bada$$. I'm assuming this will be a NA build?? It would surely hold some Spray too tho. And good Luck with the build! I'm positive you'll love it!
FWIW, You may want to consider going to a 4.155 Bore and have that extra piece of mind in case you ever need to bore it out a little bit later on. At 4.185 on the bore you are maxed out. ERL does offer a .005 hone after that initial 4.185 bore, but they did say it's your last hope if you need a rebuild. Basically your living on the edge at that point b/c in the event your cylinder walls are worn beyond a .005 hone you'll need to have the block made into a Wet Sleeve setup or just trash everything and start over. You can go from a dry sleeve to a wet sleeve setup tho in the future if need be, but you can't go from a wet sleeve setup to a dry sleeve setup. That's what I was told when talking with them! I do believe that the 4.155 bore and the 4.00 stroke would still net you 434 CI's as well. Which is plenty on an NA build. But if you want the 440 CI for the COOL Factor, I totally understand. It's like saying I got a 454 under the hood (in an LS1 car) and everyone is like WHAT! lol Considering we all know a 454 doesn't come factory in these cars.
ERL is an awesome company to deal with and you'll get what you pay for that's for sure.
Keep us all updated if you go this route...
-James
Erl 454 Not to steal your thread, but I just ordered a ERL 454 short block. I'm getting WCCH to do their stage 3 porting to my ls3 heads.
These guys have a good rep on the forums. Sounds like your setup will be a monster.
What did you have the cam in before?
Bob K.
These guys have a good rep on the forums. Sounds like your setup will be a monster.
What did you have the cam in before?
Bob K.
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The cam was just a purchase off of the forum. The game plan with this build is to put the money toward the necessary parts but to not spend it in areas not necessary...ie the large bore will contribute to airflow and keeping the stroke at 4in will help with rpm versus smaller bore longer stroke cranks. As long as the cam has some decent duration...the exact size will not have as big effect on power output as compared to the head flow/intake combo will. I have the springs from lsx ls7 heads(which were changed to doubles) so I am going to try them out...the ls3 heads have the light intake so I should be fine.
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ERL does offer a .005 hone after that initial 4.185 bore, but they did say it's your last hope if you need a rebuild. Basically your living on the edge at that point b/c in the event your cylinder walls are worn beyond a .005 hone you'll need to have the block made into a Wet Sleeve setup or just trash everything and start over. You can go from a dry sleeve to a wet sleeve setup tho in the future if need be, but you can't go from a wet sleeve setup to a dry sleeve setup.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
Interesting you use the word budget and 440 in the same sentence.
Considering ERL gets $5K for their dry sleeve short block without shipping, your core, I don't see how you could get the rest complete for $1K more unless you have a ton of parts at home. Personally, I would be hesitant to put a lot of used parts into a $5K shortblock. Hope the rest of your drive train is up to the challenge - if not, figure to spend a lot here too.
As recommended above, the LS7 springs might not be your best bet.
Considering ERL gets $5K for their dry sleeve short block without shipping, your core, I don't see how you could get the rest complete for $1K more unless you have a ton of parts at home. Personally, I would be hesitant to put a lot of used parts into a $5K shortblock. Hope the rest of your drive train is up to the challenge - if not, figure to spend a lot here too.
As recommended above, the LS7 springs might not be your best bet.
For an NA setup you'll be fine, ERL does top notch work, so I wouldn't hesitate buying anything from them.
I always research things ALOT before buying, so I figured I could help a lil bit with some info for you.
Good Luck Man!
I'm waiting for the build to start. lol
Keep us posted!
-James
LS7 heads have a 1.96" installed height while LS3 heads usually have 1.80" installed height. I'm not certain, but I'm willing to bet the LS7 springs will go into coilbind on the LS3 heads.
The LS2 block is not able to be bored out to a 4.185 bore, so I will go ahead and say it's a 100% chance it's getting re-sleeved.
An ERL LS2 Resleeved 440 CID Stroker (4.185 Bore x 4.00 Stroke) Dry sleeve setup would be bada$$. I'm assuming this will be a NA build?? It would surely hold some Spray too tho. And good Luck with the build! I'm positive you'll love it!
FWIW, You may want to consider going to a 4.155 Bore and have that extra piece of mind in case you ever need to bore it out a little bit later on. At 4.185 on the bore you are maxed out. ERL does offer a .005 hone after that initial 4.185 bore, but they did say it's your last hope if you need a rebuild. Basically your living on the edge at that point b/c in the event your cylinder walls are worn beyond a .005 hone you'll need to have the block made into a Wet Sleeve setup or just trash everything and start over. You can go from a dry sleeve to a wet sleeve setup tho in the future if need be, but you can't go from a wet sleeve setup to a dry sleeve setup. That's what I was told when talking with them! I do believe that the 4.155 bore and the 4.00 stroke would still net you 434 CI's as well. Which is plenty on an NA build. But if you want the 440 CI for the COOL Factor, I totally understand. It's like saying I got a 454 under the hood (in an LS1 car) and everyone is like WHAT! lol Considering we all know a 454 doesn't come factory in these cars.
ERL is an awesome company to deal with and you'll get what you pay for that's for sure.
Keep us all updated if you go this route...
-James
An ERL LS2 Resleeved 440 CID Stroker (4.185 Bore x 4.00 Stroke) Dry sleeve setup would be bada$$. I'm assuming this will be a NA build?? It would surely hold some Spray too tho. And good Luck with the build! I'm positive you'll love it!
FWIW, You may want to consider going to a 4.155 Bore and have that extra piece of mind in case you ever need to bore it out a little bit later on. At 4.185 on the bore you are maxed out. ERL does offer a .005 hone after that initial 4.185 bore, but they did say it's your last hope if you need a rebuild. Basically your living on the edge at that point b/c in the event your cylinder walls are worn beyond a .005 hone you'll need to have the block made into a Wet Sleeve setup or just trash everything and start over. You can go from a dry sleeve to a wet sleeve setup tho in the future if need be, but you can't go from a wet sleeve setup to a dry sleeve setup. That's what I was told when talking with them! I do believe that the 4.155 bore and the 4.00 stroke would still net you 434 CI's as well. Which is plenty on an NA build. But if you want the 440 CI for the COOL Factor, I totally understand. It's like saying I got a 454 under the hood (in an LS1 car) and everyone is like WHAT! lol Considering we all know a 454 doesn't come factory in these cars.
ERL is an awesome company to deal with and you'll get what you pay for that's for sure.
Keep us all updated if you go this route...
-James
Considering ERL gets $5K for their dry sleeve short block without shipping, your core, I don't see how you could get the rest complete
Last edited by ChucksZ06; Apr 11, 2011 at 09:48 PM.
ERL never ***** around, cant wait to see this bad boy in action!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
yeah thats only if you have them start with a fresh block of their own like chuck said. If you send it to them, its much much cheaper. 5k just for sleeves would be ridiculous seeing you can get a brand new lsx short block for same ballpark price.
ERL never ***** around, cant wait to see this bad boy in action!
ERL never ***** around, cant wait to see this bad boy in action!
