Unreal

I talked to a few shops and none of them have had issues with 4.0" cranks. Just got off the phone with Brandon@IPS and he said he is doing ~10 LSX427s a month and hasn't had any issues. He said with the correct piston it is nothing to worry about.

I've called probably 10 shops to get quotes. So far 3 have actually given me anything, most didn't answer or return calls. Other said they would send me something and call me back or email me and nothing. If I'm spending $6-8k on a motor I expect at least decent customer service.

0C_Williams@RPM

The LSX blocks have the same sleeve length as a standard LS3. Yes, lots of 4.00" stroke motors built around that specification and they work - I do plenty of those as well.

Just stating that there are blocks that will fully support the piston at BDC due to longer sleeve length - the blocks I am aware of with purpose built, longer sleeves are: C5R, LS7, ERL, RHS and those done by Steve@RED.

You do the research and you decide - there are options and reasons for the longer sleeves - and like i said, I am not passing judgement or being critical as I do the strokers in both configurations.

JMBLOWNWS6

ERL is hard to get a hold of. Its like pulling teeth. Goodluck on your search. Bryan @ LME pretty much answers everytime.

Unreal

ERL is hard to get a hold of and normally a 3+ month time just to sleeve it. Plus I've heard of some issues with them. Plenty of people making good power on 4" stroke LSX blocks. For $2k for a LSX block vs $400 for a core, $1850 sleeving, $250 for 1/2 head studs, $500 for billet main caps, shipping back, it isn't worth it to me. ERL or RED resleeving using a cheaper core still cost ~$3200 all said and done just for the block. I can get a LSX block for right at $2k. With the extra $1200 I'll buy a nice cam and fuel system, and make more power to overcome the weight.

5 Liter Eater

Man that is some major deja vu! I saw that pic and thought you stole it from me. Here's mine. Same jack and everything...

Unreal

Same RSD line loc. I even have that screw driver. Creepy.

Unreal

Factory motor sold. Going to order up the LSX427 this week. I can't wait.

Unreal

Leaning towards a Dallas Performance Stage 2, or a Livernois Stage 2B cam.

I think I'll pay the few bucks extra for the Ultra rods.

DSteck

Why not get a custom blower cam?

Unreal

Yah, may do that. I can't make up my mind on anything.

NICK YOSKIN

ERL hard to get hold of? Never had an issue...never. as far as dropped sleeves that is possible when the shop has little experience but that certainly is not the case with ERL. MIGHTMOUSE hangs here now...hopefully he can jump on this tread. As most know he is well respected in the ls world and to me his word better then "I heard of a guy that had issues"

JMBLOWNWS6

Lets see I called ERL about 20 times and never an answer or returned phone call. Considering I watch my partner call them a ton and he is a dealer of there products and they are hard to get ahold of. Im going to get my next 6 bolt block from them but I can honestly say getting in contact with them is very hard.

MIGHTYM0USE

I haven't been calling ERL but being one of the leaders in the market, and smack in the busy season for race engines; I imagine it is all hands.

Also no surprise as everyone and their mom wants one with their sexy advertising strategy...


I've got about 17k miles on mine, They changed the rings and bearings once.
11-1200 horse range, 160 mph regularly at 3750# no problems, no fuss.. it just does.

Yes you can buy an lsx for *only* 2000 but I promise there is more to get that block ready. I have won (and sold) 3 of them.

Unreal

I'm still leaning towards LSX. I know ERL does great work and that is a good option, but I don't have a core and don't want to mess with buying a used core, making sure it is ok, etc.

Just waiting on one more quote before I order the motor. Once the motor is ordered I'll start cam shopping. Tons of good cam options so that is another tough choice.

MIGHTYM0USE

They have cores of course so you could buy turn key..

But anyways, hopefully the wait isnt too long for lsx blocks, my last one took a couple months probably caught in red tape.

Not gonna twist anyones arm both blocks have the potential to hold twice what you are talking about. I just wanted to address any 'real' issues that may exist about erl craftmanship cuz honestly I dont think there are any.
*edit*
P.S. after my first post I sent erl a test email and got a response in 2 hours from Sean.

NICK YOSKIN

LOL...love
"I have won (and sold) 3 of them"

Unreal

Well I'm not cool enough to win motors so I went ahead and bought one. Was waiting on one more shop, but figured they couldn't be that much cheaper and got tired of waiting for a quote so I just pulled the trigger.

Livernois Built
LSX block
Livernois Diamond 9.7:1 Pistons, fully coated top and sides
Callies Ultra I-beams
Callies Dragon Slayer Crank
Coated bearings
etc etc

Still have to order lifters, cam, blower, fuel system, gaskets, head studs, oil pump. Atleast I got 4-5 weeks until the motor arrives to decide on that stuff.

MIGHTYM0USE

i would get on the lifters asap. the morels are hard to find all year round and probably worse right now.

i have two lunati lifters (morel rebranded) in my car because of this. I think it was the last four on earth at the time.. or it sure seemed.

interesting compression choice, will this car use much pump gas?

Unreal

Yes, street car, made to be driven a lot. I'm just going to use LS7 lifters instead of the
morels.

That is with the stock 70cc chambers. I could have the heads decked slightly to bring it up to 10:1 or so. A few people suggested that to keep it from being to lazy down low.

Unreal

I've dealt with a lot of vendors and built a lot of cars. I've never had so many issues with vendors as one from this site. All I got to say is buyer beware when using vendors on here. There are some really bad ones. Most just don't call back or answer emails, while others blatantly steal and screw you. I'm getting close to giving up on corvettes just because of the poor vendors that support them.