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what makes a ls1 bottom end weak

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Old 03-30-2008, 09:38 PM
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Default what makes a ls1 bottom end weak

i want to make 700hp range and i need to find out what i need or what need to look out for.
Old 03-30-2008, 09:43 PM
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i herd it is the rod bolt and the rods
Old 03-30-2008, 09:46 PM
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What makes them weak? The weakest link in these engines are usually the person building them. I've seen stock internals go 10's and hold over 600hp consistantly. It all depends on the competence of the builder. You can have the strongest parts on the market, but if your clearances are wrong, you might as well keep your tools out; because you'll be rebuilding her real soon.

If you're tearing the motor down anyways, stud the mains/heads, Katech Rod Bolts, Cometic Gaskets, Forged pistons - You'll be fine.

Honestly, I'd be more concerned about you grenading your stock rearend before melting your engine.
Old 03-30-2008, 10:10 PM
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so stud it and i well be good. to make 650-700wrhp
Old 03-30-2008, 10:13 PM
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How do you plan on getting to 600-700hp? Nitrous? If so, there's so much that needs to be done, I don't even know where to start to explain.

N2O is different animal altogether...
Old 03-30-2008, 10:14 PM
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I've read that the crank itself is good up to 600 horses. You'll be pushing it's limits.
Old 03-30-2008, 10:21 PM
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To be reliable at 700hp you need mainstuds, upgraded rods with ARP or Katech rod bolts, forged Mahle or Diamond pistons along with headstuds vs head bolts. Stock LS1 internals might take 700hp for awhile but be prepared for it to pop anytime.
Old 03-30-2008, 11:21 PM
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Don't detonate and don't run your pan dry and your golden.
Old 03-30-2008, 11:59 PM
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im pretty sure the stock crank is more than 600 hp... forged rods, nitrous pistons, good rod bolts. you will hold 700 all day
Old 03-31-2008, 12:46 AM
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stock crank can go for a 1000. i want to do a nice 520ish whp and a 100-150 shoot. can i pull it of and drive it when ever.

Last edited by Cobra Huntter; 03-31-2008 at 01:06 AM.
Old 03-31-2008, 06:14 AM
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Originally Posted by 02TransAm/Batmobile
I've read that the crank itself is good up to 600 horses. You'll be pushing it's limits.
Stock cranks have been used in 1000+ engines.
Old 03-31-2008, 08:38 AM
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Yea, cranks are fine, they do NOT snap nor really flex due to the strength of the bottom end. its Rod bolts as far as the rpms it gets pushed. Next on the weakness list is springs and pushrods.

Then for the short block the piston and rods are or can be considered worth upgrading. But then again like it was stated the tune and the quality of oil is a big indicating factor.
Old 03-31-2008, 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by brad8266
Stock cranks have been used in 1000+ engines.
+10 crank ain't the problem. Its the rods. Even the pistons aren't bad, but the rods are junk.
Old 03-31-2008, 10:06 AM
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Been running over 700 crank hp for two years on the stock bottom end. Its a nitrous car but I don't use alot of spray, only at the track. So far so good, don't really care if it blows, just gives me a reason to build it right away!
Old 03-31-2008, 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by 00cls1camaross
im pretty sure the stock crank is more than 600 hp... forged rods, nitrous pistons, good rod bolts. you will hold 700 all day
Agreed^^^^^^^^^^^
Old 03-31-2008, 01:32 PM
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A good matched head and cam combo, all supporting bolt ons, as well as all the must have engine upgrade parts, such as rods, studs through out, cometic head gaskets, forged pistons. Add a 150 hp wet shot, or even a 2 stage system up to 200hp and you should be very close. But let me tell you this watch out for the drive train. Tranny with toast it self, clutch will go, and rear end will also need upgraded. Take it from me I see around 530-550 on the spray, I barely use it, and I still have broken stuff. It is a never ending upgrade process. Blowers are not much better, getting either system tuned to avoid detonation is what will help you the most. Best advise is keep an open mind and more importantly an open wallet.
Old 03-31-2008, 01:46 PM
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we use stock cranks in all our 700-800 rwhp nitrous engines. good rods, arp rod and main bolts & studs, forged pistons with good ring land area is what you need to survive.
Old 03-31-2008, 02:31 PM
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Tony(Jucin) went 9.50s with stock rods and crank. However I think his rods started to twist and bend after a while. A good rod and piston and you will have no issues at 700+rwhp(Assuming it's tuned right).
Old 03-31-2008, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Cobra Huntter
stock crank can go for a 1000. i want to do a nice 520ish whp and a 100-150 shoot. can i pull it of and drive it when ever.
How are you planning to get to 520rwhp before spraying? You're at 420 now according to your other posts, already with a big cam. Are you going FI and dual power adder?
Old 03-31-2008, 10:36 PM
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You are gonna want to toss the cast pistons and powdered metal rods all together for 700hp. Not saying it won't last, but a nice forged steel rod and forged aluminum pistons will give you a better margin of safety in case you over rev or have a bad tune.

I have seen the cast piston break a hole right through all three rings in a basically stock engine with a 150 shot. Cheap gas and hot weather, may have been the culprit.



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