stock LQ4 and boost. How much is too much?
10-18-2012, 07:08 PM
#1
stock LQ4 and boost. How much is too much? How much power can a stock LQ4 handle with a 76ish sized turbo take before something is likely to break? All supporting mods like intercooler, and a safe fuel setup along with a safe tune would be used.
Guys seem to be running consistently 600-700 RWHP all the time with no troubles. But what point do issues start to happen. 700 RWHP? 800 RWHP?
I realize there is not a specific point they will break every time. I am mearly trying to explore what guys have seem from experience.
Guys seem to be running consistently 600-700 RWHP all the time with no troubles. But what point do issues start to happen. 700 RWHP? 800 RWHP?
I realize there is not a specific point they will break every time. I am mearly trying to explore what guys have seem from experience.
10-20-2012, 02:24 PM
#5
Okay, but why? What specifically makes 700 RWHP your limit? Looking for details here.
I mentioned a safe tune would be utilized (along with all the supporting mods). It goes without saying if you don't have a good tune while using boost, its going to go pop.
Perhaps I should be asking for those that have pushed the limits and broke, what was the limiting factor? And what power level was the setup at?
Perhaps I should be asking for those that have pushed the limits and broke, what was the limiting factor? And what power level was the setup at?
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10-20-2012, 03:49 PM
#9
Well thanks. I have friends that have gone with the 5.3 and others that have gone the LQ4 route, I just don't know.
Right now all I know is I want it to be a budget build and make some big power. Where I am torn is that I don't know that either the 5.3 or the LQ4 will handle 800-850 RWHP for years without modifying (as in rods, pistons ect.). Where I am specifically torn, is that if I have to change pistons, and rods ect., then I might as well stay with my aluminum LS1 block at that point, but if I do that, it won't really be a "budget build" anymore.
Right now all I know is I want it to be a budget build and make some big power. Where I am torn is that I don't know that either the 5.3 or the LQ4 will handle 800-850 RWHP for years without modifying (as in rods, pistons ect.). Where I am specifically torn, is that if I have to change pistons, and rods ect., then I might as well stay with my aluminum LS1 block at that point, but if I do that, it won't really be a "budget build" anymore.
10-20-2012, 04:03 PM
#10
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10-20-2012, 04:16 PM
#11
If that guys engine holds for years, I guess I'll have my answer, but I just don't think it's going to continue to hold.
10-20-2012, 05:10 PM
#13
I saw where he said he has driven with the combo for years, but if you look, he mentioned that the first dyno pull was on his DD setup and boost level, and that was mid 700's at the wheels, and that he cranked the boost up for the dyno. Since he jus posted it a few weeks ago, I am guessing he hasn't had much time on that setup with the 900 RWHP boost level. (Plus that's assuming he didn't turn the boost back down to his DD level he was at before).
I think his stock LQ4 can handle the big power, but if it was just for a dyno pull or just a few weeks of driving with it at 900 RWHP, I'd hardly call that a proven reliability setup. Time will tell.
I think his stock LQ4 can handle the big power, but if it was just for a dyno pull or just a few weeks of driving with it at 900 RWHP, I'd hardly call that a proven reliability setup. Time will tell.
10-20-2012, 06:26 PM
#14
TECH Apprentice
Ive been beating the **** outta my 5.3 all year prob 30 passes all low 9s high 8s. And i have been driving it alot too. How many passes do you normally run a year? If its 5 then thats 6 years, lots of others have done it alot longer and everyone says the tune is key.
My truck hooks in wet grass and most times anything above 15psi (700whp) blows the tires off, you wont be driving around with your track tune. Skinneys has been making over 850whp along with a few others for several years. The stock stuff is well proven and my bet would be that you will break transmissions, axles and lots of other stuff before the motor expires as long as the tune is good.
How fast do you want to go? Whats the ET goal again?
If someone has been sucessful with a combo that you would like to duplicate then take their advise very seriously. Reinventing the wheel may have you running into issues
My truck hooks in wet grass and most times anything above 15psi (700whp) blows the tires off, you wont be driving around with your track tune. Skinneys has been making over 850whp along with a few others for several years. The stock stuff is well proven and my bet would be that you will break transmissions, axles and lots of other stuff before the motor expires as long as the tune is good.
How fast do you want to go? Whats the ET goal again?
If someone has been sucessful with a combo that you would like to duplicate then take their advise very seriously. Reinventing the wheel may have you running into issues
10-20-2012, 06:58 PM
#15
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If the car is not going to be a consistent track visitor then you should not worry about the engine having to handle much more than 600 hp. Unless you will be doing ricer style 150 mph kicks on the highway you will never see enough boost to make 800 hp. 5.3's are $400 if you blow one up its not a big deal you go buy another one, that is the advantage of them over building a $8000 6 liter that only runs 11s and lasts forever.
10-20-2012, 06:59 PM
#16
Chris,
Again, this is for a street car that will see the track maybe just a half dozen times a year at the most, but beaten on with WOT regularly, and at a MPH that it will get traction. My goals aren't in quarter mile times and MPH, but a power and reliability level on a budget build. I know I may not be like many on here that are looking for track cars that see the street.
The transmission I have should hold way more than I could push, and I plan on making the rest of the drivetrain similar. I know traction will be an issue, but that really isn't the goal on the street either. Not trying to re-invent the wheel at all. Specifically that's why I started the thread to see where other people have taken the envelope and where problems have or have not arrived given an amount of time.
I may end up just doing either the 5.3 or the LQ4 and just seeing what it does and how long it lasts with minimal work.
Again, this is for a street car that will see the track maybe just a half dozen times a year at the most, but beaten on with WOT regularly, and at a MPH that it will get traction. My goals aren't in quarter mile times and MPH, but a power and reliability level on a budget build. I know I may not be like many on here that are looking for track cars that see the street.
The transmission I have should hold way more than I could push, and I plan on making the rest of the drivetrain similar. I know traction will be an issue, but that really isn't the goal on the street either. Not trying to re-invent the wheel at all. Specifically that's why I started the thread to see where other people have taken the envelope and where problems have or have not arrived given an amount of time.
I may end up just doing either the 5.3 or the LQ4 and just seeing what it does and how long it lasts with minimal work.
10-20-2012, 08:09 PM
#17
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You can crank up the boost to max out at whatever you want, doesn't mean yur gonna be drving at WOT everywhere you go. I would say mid 700's on pump gas is "safe" and after that you're looking at race gas or e85 is still an option but not for everyone. Are you looking for a max number or a reliable max number?
I saw where he said he has driven with the combo for years, but if you look, he mentioned that the first dyno pull was on his DD setup and boost level, and that was mid 700's at the wheels, and that he cranked the boost up for the dyno. Since he jus posted it a few weeks ago, I am guessing he hasn't had much time on that setup with the 900 RWHP boost level. (Plus that's assuming he didn't turn the boost back down to his DD level he was at before).
I think his stock LQ4 can handle the big power, but if it was just for a dyno pull or just a few weeks of driving with it at 900 RWHP, I'd hardly call that a proven reliability setup. Time will tell.
I think his stock LQ4 can handle the big power, but if it was just for a dyno pull or just a few weeks of driving with it at 900 RWHP, I'd hardly call that a proven reliability setup. Time will tell.
Last edited by shawnc16; 10-20-2012 at 08:17 PM.
10-20-2012, 09:49 PM
#18
Bigger is better that is it. Can you make awesome power on a 5.3? Yes. But why not start big and when you upgrade from a 6.0 your that little bit ahead of tthe game. It all depends on budget. But I'm sure people will go back and forth. Either way you go is the right way in my opinion .....any LS motor is awesome with a turbo
10-20-2012, 09:52 PM
#19
FWIW.....a friend of mine has been beating the **** out of his factory stock iron block with a 76mm turbo on 93 octane for about 1 year now, I think a 5.3 engine. Makes around 750 RWHP.
BONE STOCK 5.3L.....through a mildly built $300 junk yard 4L80E.
I think its great when tons of power are made on the CHEAP......
.
BONE STOCK 5.3L.....through a mildly built $300 junk yard 4L80E.
I think its great when tons of power are made on the CHEAP......
.
10-20-2012, 11:15 PM
#20
I saw where he said he has driven with the combo for years, but if you look, he mentioned that the first dyno pull was on his DD setup and boost level, and that was mid 700's at the wheels, and that he cranked the boost up for the dyno. Since he jus posted it a few weeks ago, I am guessing he hasn't had much time on that setup with the 900 RWHP boost level. (Plus that's assuming he didn't turn the boost back down to his DD level he was at before).
I think his stock LQ4 can handle the big power, but if it was just for a dyno pull or just a few weeks of driving with it at 900 RWHP, I'd hardly call that a proven reliability setup. Time will tell.
I think his stock LQ4 can handle the big power, but if it was just for a dyno pull or just a few weeks of driving with it at 900 RWHP, I'd hardly call that a proven reliability setup. Time will tell.
Last edited by stock48; 10-20-2012 at 11:22 PM.