Looking at building a new motor. I know what internals I'm going with but I haven't decided what block. Dart LS next or GM LSX block. Both are the same price, what do you guys think?

 

They both look good but I......I would lean towards the LSX and both can be bored to 4.200 you could in theory go to 4.250 bore with the LSX.. would be limited to N/A....better grade of iron also.....Dart does have longer cylinder sleeves.

 

Dart block may need a little less machine work....$$$$

 

I know a lot of guys who run the GM block and hear nothing but good things from them but I haven't talked to anyone who has run the Dart one yet. Decisions decisions! Probably can't go wrong with either I guess

 

Good Game on Payton vs Flaco.........LSX or Dart block would be a good block to start with.....consider weight....ERL is another option 4.200 bore and 4.250 max stroke....only with the right engine builder but 4.125 stroke works all day long and it's aluminum....454 all aluminum LS engine

 

I looked at doing the ERL block but just didn't want to spend the money! Thanks for the help bro

 

How much more do you think you are gonna have to spend if you go the ERL route?
Depending on what you are really trying to do I've talked with so many people who say that at the end of the day there really wasn't any difference in price? I respect your decision to want to go with the GM LSX or the DART stuff, just wanted to make sure you had been given the right information.

 

So very true. I have heard and seen many times that guys have to do stuff to the LSX block before even thinking about assembling it. So by the time you factor the cost of the block and the extra machine work you come close to an ERL block.

Hell, ERL gives you ARP main studs with their setup.

I would use an ERL block to save weight too. Were talking about 140 lbs in difference here.

 

Damn! 140lbs .... I didn't realize it would be that much. I may have to look into it some more. I haven't bought anything yet but I might change my mind about the block

 

I stand corrected, its 124 lbs which is still alot.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ls-blocks.html

 

I saw that. It's a nice block no doubt. I just looked at the 6bolt short blocks, very nice! 8200.00 ready to go is actually cheaper that my engine builder was gonna charge me to do the dart short block with the same internals!

 

I went and bought a 5.3 block on here to send to ERL. I really like the idea of having the weight of aluminum but the strength of the LSX.

 

No doubt. Thanks for the help silverbulllet

 

My engine builder Erik Koenig loved my ERL Superdeck block. He's always said their machine work was top notch.

There has been some big power run through their Superdeck blocks over the years.

Seth, and the guys at ERL have always been great to work with too.

 

Can't go wrong with HKE and ERL. I just started a build with Erik and went with ERL block. By the time machine shop gets done machining an LSX block, you wil be over the budget of what an ERL block cost.

 

I'm deciding between ERL superdeck2 and the Dart LSnext. The weight being the only real factor for me. (Im a machinist). I would like to know how much machining is required on the dart block. The bottom of the block, the priority main oiling, and 7/16 head studs are really nice features and make me consider it over the 127lb weight penalty. ARE already has 3 dry sump pans too.

 

And in the spirit of saving money, if you are using a power adder I would also go with the 5.3 liter aluminum Gen V block as the core! We use them all the time and have great success with them. Those cores are much cheaper. When we are done with them, there isn't any difference in strength.

 

The ERL block can be made to have 1/2 head studs if you wish for a price.

Guys have made over 1800 hp on ERL blocks. How much more oiling do you need?

 

I understand what priority main oiling is and why it's better in concept.

What I haven't seen is that the stock LS oiling process is a weakness in the real world and how priority main oiling is the silver bullet to this mystery issue.

At the power levels being discussed here, most if not all, will run a dry sump setup so G-forces and oil being stuck in the heads starving main bearings is a non-issue assuming a properly designed dry sump setup....

 

Very true on the dry sump setup. For a non dry sump setup, its definitely an issue though, even at stock power levels in drifting. Good thing I already have a Dailey dry sump pan...guess that means Im going ERL after all. Unless the $2500 DLSN block only requires a light hone...