Lower Compression or Forged?
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lower Compression or Forged?
So I have a 95 LT1 Camaro. It's a stock engine but has a Vortech V1 running 5 lbs of boost. I want to raise it so I need to do some engine work, right? So in order to raise the boost do I need to get forged internals or can I just lower the compression and I will be fine? Would like to know. Thanks!
#2
How much would you like to raise the boost to? I'm thinking 8max if you keep the stock internals AND get a very solid tune AND run a good intercooler or Vortech Aftercooler. Those have hypereutectic pistons which are pretty strong but will SHATTER if you let the engine ping or detonate with a poor tune. Adding a meth injection system would be great insurance. If you want to go higher I would drop compression to aroun 9.5:1 and add forged pistons and great rod bolts.
Sounds nice!
Jim
Sounds nice!
Jim
#3
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How much would you like to raise the boost to? I'm thinking 8max if you keep the stock internals AND get a very solid tune AND run a good intercooler or Vortech Aftercooler. Those have hypereutectic pistons which are pretty strong but will SHATTER if you let the engine ping or detonate with a poor tune. Adding a meth injection system would be great insurance. If you want to go higher I would drop compression to aroun 9.5:1 and add forged pistons and great rod bolts.
Sounds nice!
Jim
Sounds nice!
Jim
#4
If you lower the compression it gives you a bit more headroom for boost, but the 2 right ways to lower it are: a) Heads with bigger chambers or b) Dish pistons. Don't mess around with extra thick or double head gaskets because you ruind your quench (or squish) are between your piston and head and can end up with worse detonation than before.
And if you ping even once with a hyper piston, it can break into maybe 40 pieces. Not fun to recover from.
The stroker kit would be a fine option. With a Vortech S-trim on my 383 SBC, I put down 501rwhp and 469rwt at ~7.8# of boost after the intercooler and with 50 lb. injectors.
Now with the T-trim upgrade it is hitting 660rwhp...
Jim
And if you ping even once with a hyper piston, it can break into maybe 40 pieces. Not fun to recover from.
The stroker kit would be a fine option. With a Vortech S-trim on my 383 SBC, I put down 501rwhp and 469rwt at ~7.8# of boost after the intercooler and with 50 lb. injectors.
Now with the T-trim upgrade it is hitting 660rwhp...
Jim
#5
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you lower the compression it gives you a bit more headroom for boost, but the 2 right ways to lower it are: a) Heads with bigger chambers or b) Dish pistons. Don't mess around with extra thick or double head gaskets because you ruind your quench (or squish) are between your piston and head and can end up with worse detonation than before.
And if you ping even once with a hyper piston, it can break into maybe 40 pieces. Not fun to recover from.
The stroker kit would be a fine option. With a Vortech S-trim on my 383 SBC, I put down 501rwhp and 469rwt at ~7.8# of boost after the intercooler and with 50 lb. injectors.
Now with the T-trim upgrade it is hitting 660rwhp...
Jim
And if you ping even once with a hyper piston, it can break into maybe 40 pieces. Not fun to recover from.
The stroker kit would be a fine option. With a Vortech S-trim on my 383 SBC, I put down 501rwhp and 469rwt at ~7.8# of boost after the intercooler and with 50 lb. injectors.
Now with the T-trim upgrade it is hitting 660rwhp...
Jim
#6
Once the engine is apart and machine cost, etc, are accounted for, the cost difference between cheap and forged pistons becomes a mute point. I take it you are thinking of replacing the rings and pistons without doing any machine work, as you mentioned money is tight and you don't want to have to pay for forged pistons. I highly recommend leaving the short block the way it is, if money is tight.
I would add an intercooler to your car, and raise the boost up to 8-9 psi on the engine the way it is, and get a good tune. Check out my brother's '95 Formula at this link, which has had a ProCharger P-1SC on it since '02, on the stock bottom end.
http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com...tCar.php?car=7 Bob
I would add an intercooler to your car, and raise the boost up to 8-9 psi on the engine the way it is, and get a good tune. Check out my brother's '95 Formula at this link, which has had a ProCharger P-1SC on it since '02, on the stock bottom end.
http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com...tCar.php?car=7 Bob
Trending Topics
#9
And if you lower it too much, a 350 will be a dog off-boost. A 383 would be better - the extra displacement will make it feel less soggy. I wouldn't go lower than 9:1 in a 350.
Jim
Jim
#11
That stroker kit you posted the link for had pistons included. If you only do pistons you will need pistons, rings, pins, retainers and rod bolts, plus perhaps a rebalance unless you can get pistons very similar in weight to the ones you are replacing. Ask the sponsors here or check one of the online supplier houses.
Jim
Jim