I know that is a vague question but this is what I mean.

It seems the general consensus is a stock LS1 can handle 500-500rwhp with a good tune for a while. Then people say save up for a forged engine.

What normally is the death of the engine? the number 7 piston/ring lands? Would a set of forged pistons take care of that?

I figure that stock crank is strong enough but what about the rods?

Thanks.

I know some people build a crazy bottom end but I wouldn't think for a 550hp or so build you don't need compustar everything. I very well could be wrong, that's why I am asking.

Also with the number 7 piston. Does the LS6 intake lean that cylinder out more than the LS1? Would it be better to to stick with the LS1?

 

If it is a completely stock bottom end, the rod bolts tend to go first. When they go, a rod is throw and the result is not pretty. Second this is usually the #7 or #8 pistons because of the material they are made out of and those cylinders being a little leaner than the rest. The list can go on and on, but depends on how much you want to know.

 

ringland

 

my last motor had diamond pistons arp rod bolts and stock everything else and my rod went. that was making 520 rwhp and 430rwtq. that was running N/A good luck

 

ringland, rod bolt, bearing.

 

Yup...

 

Pistons are garbage but some do manage to keep them alive for awhile. But have to wonder if some guys that think turbo is shot actually have killed rings on that bank.

I have seen many gone ls1 ringlands. There have been some good pics posted on the subject. Then rod bolts..
Ls1 crank is pretty damn strong and rods are also pretty good and block is pretty good.
Just rod bolts and pistons if you are on a super tight budget.

 

I was going to say the ring lands also.... .I think there was someone that said that the factory rods were actually pretty strong.

 

I thought the stock rods were pretty strong too but I guess not.

Thanks for the replies.

 

No doubt....

 

sing it... ringlandddddddddd

 

How long do they last?

 

There is no real true answer to that question. Just depends on your setup, how good your tuner is, and how lucky you are. I bought a junkyard 6.0 and ran 17psi through my silverado to a 11.8 pass. Then sold it to my buddy who put it in his GTO...he made 825 to the tires on the dyno and the motor still is kickin ***. Completely stock, except for the valve springs.

 

Here are some pics I saved of what happens to the crappy stock pistons when things go wrong..







And these are my new pistons..personally seen two people I know with blown up stock pistons..they had an expensive day!




Keep the boost really low on stock pistons.. or have enough money around to rebuild things if you have to.

 

stock rods are not strong when a rod goes it usually is gravel in the pan when its all done. it happened to me sucks if your spending money on new pistons if money allows ya should get a good rod and be done with it.

 

I took out 5 ringlands on my stock motor but I am upgrading to full forged and studded.

 

Friend's car following the trend:


That was at 67x rwhp on a 6.0 stock bottome end through a TH400 though.

 

Man I've torn up two LQ4s and neither of them broke ringlands. L92 heads with GMPP L92 carb style intake. In fact one piston has the wristpin ripped out from under it. The rods all let go first. Around 900-950hp (never dyno'd but it went 5.72@126 in the 1/8th @about 3280-3290lbs) I do notice that it looks to be a pressed fit pin in the above picture and both sets of rods/pistons from the LQ4 have been floating.

 

#7 ringland.

Happened to me.

 

I am with frank, the pistons breaking is from running crap fuel not hp. When running race fuel with conservative timing you can crack 900hp with these things.