Gen 3 block??
 

Ok, I need some help.

I am looking for a suitable donor motor;
From everything I had previously read, the LDK/LHU block was the winner...
My basic understanding was that the LDK engine was the next incarnation of the LNF engine that incorporated upgrades & improvements (and a cheaper turbo), and the LHU is an E85 compatible version of the LDK.

What has me now scratching my head is that I recently read of a "Gen3" block, but from a long search here, I kept getting hits on "Gen3" 2.2 or LSJ blocks...

I can see that ZZP offers a "Gen3" LNF shortblock... but I am kind of confused.

What is a 'Gen3 LNF' block?
- Is calling it a 'Gen3' block akin to everybody making their own "stage" kits for the SS/SC(?), where these names are just made up?

Are there different casting numbers to identify different LNF blocks, or to differentiate the LNF vs LDK blocks?

Do the newer blocks use sand casting, or still the styrofoam casting?

I guess I am a little confused, and looking for the run down.

Thanks in advance!!

What ZZP calls Gen III is the LDK/LHU and here in the states was in the 2010+ Saab 9-3/9-5 and Buick Regals. The actual gen 3 2.0 is the LTG.

My LDK from ZZP was a sand casting, but I have seen a picture of one that was lost foam. Probably depends on which foundry it came from.

/\ thank you very much!

that makes total sense.

Does anyone have casting or etched numbers to distinguish a 2010+ "gen 3" from any of the earlier LNF blocks?

Mongorat may be able to help you. I bet if you took the oil filter out you could tell quickly.

oh?

I'll message mongo then, but in the mean time, what changed at the oil filter?

Nothing I believe on the ldk, but the foam cast blocks look porous in that area and I'm guessing the sand cast don't. I don't know for sure though, just heard rumors.

I have a couple new Gen 3 LDK long blocks and short blocks

LDKs are Sand cast

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showth...DK-LHU-Compare

This one's not.

Mine are

Mine is too. Just saying, you can't say ALL are.

Wrong thread my bad

Ldk are sand cast, if u saw a foam cast it was an lnf block.

That was random. The picture in the thread I posted was definitely either an LHU or LDK, and it was foam.

Maybe it was stamped wrong lol jk

That must be an extremely early version of the Gen 3 or something. The thread was from 2013. Mine is sand cast also.

Yes, likely. That one in the picture is the only one I've heard of. But the fact that it exists means that if I were in the market I'd verify before purchasing.