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6.0 block power limits

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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 07:16 AM
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Default 6.0 block power limits

Ive been searching around, Im sure this has been asked before. What are the limits on the 6.0 block? Wondering at what power level the LSx block is a must when coming from a 6.0 block.
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 08:50 AM
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I'm sure 1500+? I don't know and i never will as i don't have the funds to make that much power lol
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 09:57 AM
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Thats more than I thought it would hold, good news tho. Ive been looking at other combinations folks have vs dyno numbers, concensus seems 1000-1300hp isnt too uncommon.
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 11:19 AM
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yah they will easily handle 1100+, real question is, how much power are you looking to make?
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 01:43 PM
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good question, I've heard a lot of different answers but few have come from people with actual first hand knowledge and experience.
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 07:13 PM
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yeah its all on how much u want to make , the block it self will be hard to crack but the internals is a different story I would say over 950 is pushing it. My buddie dont want to push my stock lq9 over 800 cause he scared something might happen . but i said Go big or go home
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by red281gt
yeah its all on how much u want to make , the block it self will be hard to crack but the internals is a different story I would say over 950 is pushing it. My buddie dont want to push my stock lq9 over 800 cause he scared something might happen . but i said Go big or go home
the truck block has had 2500+hp put on it (casper) being filled and a couple relatively small things. the LIMITED part is that the heads can be lifted fairly easily. well that and its basically a hand grenade at that point though it seems like theyve held up better than some LSX bowtie blocks at that power level
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 08:52 PM
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I think he's referring to the actual block limit not the internals. What horsepower and torque before you start pushing water? What about with thick deck heads and 1/2" head studs?
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 09:35 PM
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Beware not all the iron 6.0 blocks are great some really thin between the cyls and can split. It's always best to sonic test first.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 09:49 AM
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The 408ci in the car burned up, just debating at what point have to go to the LSX or equivalent.

Food for thought, my machine shop they wieghed an LSX block....it wieghs more than a BBC Crazy its that heavy.

The head lifting issue is definatley a good concern but would hate to by a 2500$ block for 2 extra headbolts If the 6.0 block will hold that much power, I think Im pretty safe keeping it and putting the funds elsewhere...like a good tuner

The 408 in the car has lifted the heads a couple of times so I WILL have to do something about that.

Outside of 6bolt setups, 1/2in head bolts do the trick?
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 10:53 AM
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Many builders say 1000rwhp is about when you want to think about other options. This is 1000rwhp with there reputation on the line and drag racing not just a handful of dyno runs at that number.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:09 AM
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get the lsx block 1/2 head bolts dont work that good the 6 bolt heads are way better then the 4 bolt at higher power levels
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:44 AM
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Just food for thought. The LSX block is not your only option for 6 bolts. ERL does a 6 bolt factory block also. Its just as strong as any other block when they do their superdeck process to it. Alot of guys use aluminum 5.3 blocks to do this to. Supposedly it the better block to do this to and the sleeve replacement.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by mike13
Many builders say 1000rwhp is about when you want to think about other options. This is 1000rwhp with there reputation on the line and drag racing not just a handful of dyno runs at that number.
Exactly where Im at...it needs to be able to take a beating...and Im not a dyno fan at all..et is where its at for me.

Originally Posted by BigRich954RR
get the lsx block 1/2 head bolts dont work that good the 6 bolt heads are way better then the 4 bolt at higher power levels
Thanks for the tip on the 1/2 studs, Im expecting right at or just under 1k hp...the last motor held 16-18#..lifted the heads at 20+#. This is with head studs...4bolt patriots.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 87silverbullet
Just food for thought. The LSX block is not your only option for 6 bolts. ERL does a 6 bolt factory block also. Its just as strong as any other block when they do their superdeck process to it. Alot of guys use aluminum 5.3 blocks to do this to. Supposedly it the better block to do this to and the sleeve replacement.
First Ive heard of it, I knew ERL did sleeve work, etc for LS platforms...but didnt realize they could convert the block to 6bolt head. Can you guys tell me more about using the 5.3 Aluminum block instead of the 6.0? Id have to assume they are high hp safe if ERL is doing it...using an alumimun block...being able to hold the power...while not having to go to an LSx block...this is a very interesting point.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Stroked96Bowtie
Exactly where Im at...it needs to be able to take a beating...and Im not a dyno fan at all..et is where its at for me.



Thanks for the tip on the 1/2 studs, Im expecting right at or just under 1k hp...the last motor held 16-18#..lifted the heads at 20+#. This is with head studs...4bolt patriots.
The deck of the patriots might of been your issue not the head stud size. 98z28cobrakiller on here has ran that much boost on an iron LQ block with 4 bolt AFR heads.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 87silverbullet
The deck of the patriots might of been your issue not the head stud size. 98z28cobrakiller on here has ran that much boost on an iron LQ block with 4 bolt AFR heads.
aftermarket casting with .750-.800 decks and 1/2" head studs will get you to a 1000rwhp. Once you step into a lsx block or erl your costs go way up.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Stroked96Bowtie
First Ive heard of it, I knew ERL did sleeve work, etc for LS platforms...but didnt realize they could convert the block to 6bolt head. Can you guys tell me more about using the 5.3 Aluminum block instead of the 6.0? Id have to assume they are high hp safe if ERL is doing it...using an alumimun block...being able to hold the power...while not having to go to an LSx block...this is a very interesting point.
Its cheaper than an RHS block but more than a LSX block. You get the best of both worlds though. The strength of both but only the weight of the RHS

Originally Posted by mike13
aftermarket casting with .750-.800 decks and 1/2" head studs will get you to a 1000rwhp. Once you step into a lsx block or erl your costs go way up.
In the world of racing I don't consider the price of the LSX to be that bad since most aftermarket heads you buy are the same cost of the LSX block and people fork over the money for those without issue. Now an ERL makes it a little more pricier but their 4 bolt is close in price to the LSX but for a little more you can get the 6 bolt ERL and you are still wayyyyyyy ahead compared to the RHS.

You still say 1000 hp is the limit but looking at Los and ls2formula on here they are past that number and still rocking it in 4 bolt fashion. I'm in no way doubting a 6 bolt setup but these guys are doing it and still running strong. If it was me, I'm with you 100%, I would be doing a 6 bolt setup even though I see guys running with 4 bolts.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by 87silverbullet
Its cheaper than an RHS block but more than a LSX block. You get the best of both worlds though. The strength of both but only the weight of the RHS



In the world of racing I don't consider the price of the LSX to be that bad since most aftermarket heads you buy are the same cost of the LSX block and people fork over the money for those without issue. Now an ERL makes it a little more pricier but their 4 bolt is close in price to the LSX but for a little more you can get the 6 bolt ERL and you are still wayyyyyyy ahead compared to the RHS.

You still say 1000 hp is the limit but looking at Los and ls2formula on here they are past that number and still rocking it in 4 bolt fashion. I'm in no way doubting a 6 bolt setup but these guys are doing it and still running strong. If it was me, I'm with you 100%, I would be doing a 6 bolt setup even though I see guys running with 4 bolts.
I'm saying builders with their reputations on the line are saying 1000rwhp, I agree guys are pushing them a lot further. With the LSX block it's not only the cost of the block but the amount of machining required. If you do a search you'll find there is issues with core shift and cam tunnels.

My opinion is if your looking for 1000-1100rwhp max, I would still use a 6.0 block. If your ulitmate goal is 1100+ then absolutely consider another option. I'm just saying once you go beyond 1000hp the cost goes up.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mike13
I'm saying builders with their reputations on the line are saying 1000rwhp, I agree guys are pushing them a lot further. With the LSX block it's not only the cost of the block but the amount of machining required. If you do a search you'll find there is issues with core shift and cam tunnels.

My opinion is if your looking for 1000-1100rwhp max, I would still use a 6.0 block. If your ulitmate goal is 1100+ then absolutely consider another option. I'm just saying once you go beyond 1000hp the cost goes up.
I'm With you 100% on that
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