Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

ls1 turbo?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 01:04 PM
  #1  
ricardo.benin's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Default ls1 turbo?

Hi I have a 1994 mazda rx7 that I am going to swap to a ls1 and I wanted to do a turbo ls1. So my question is what is the engines max safe power limit on a stock bottom end. Btw I plan to run 317 heads as well as a mild cam, from what I have read I believe the older z06 cam will work good for a turbo ls1.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Richard
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 01:31 PM
  #2  
TurboF-body's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Unless you have a ls1 just laying around, I would get a 5.3 or 6.0. You can pick these up cheaper than an ls1 and you will get better power gains out of these engines. Both of these engines run an iron block and a lower compression meaning you can run more boost while putting less strain on your engine. If you do go with a 5.3 or 6.0, you will be able to spend more money on a better turbo. Your best bet is to find a cheap lq4 and add an ls9 or older z06 cam, ls6 or ls2 intake, valve springs, and a 76mm turbo. That should make plenty of power. A 5.3 will also make great power but you won't make quite as much as a 6.0.

Hope that helps
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 01:43 PM
  #3  
ricardo.benin's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Default

Hi thanks for the quick reply the problem is I can not run an iron block as that will screw up my 50/50 weight distribution so I have to run an aluminum block. My friend has a ls1 block for $200 in really nice shape so that is why I was thinking of using an ls1. Is 600hp achievable.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 02:44 PM
  #4  
JoeNova's Avatar
Restricted User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Default

Haha. This gets asked so often I'm starting to think people are trolling. scroll down like 5 posts before yours.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 02:46 PM
  #5  
JoeNova's Avatar
Restricted User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by ricardo.benin
Hi thanks for the quick reply the problem is I can not run an iron block as that will screw up my 50/50 weight distribution so I have to run an aluminum block. My friend has a ls1 block for $200 in really nice shape so that is why I was thinking of using an ls1. Is 600hp achievable.
Then get an aluminum 5.3. Better heads than the ls1 and more meat between cylinders.

Btw, the difference is about 60 lbs between an iron block and ls1 block. You can offset that easily. Your car doesn't have to be 50/50 to perform very well.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 03:09 PM
  #6  
ricardo.benin's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Default

So the 5.3 is called a lq4, how strong is the bottom end on these blocks and what power can I make on the stock bottom end. Btw the big reason for the idea of using the ls1 is there is alot of info on swapping ls1 into rx7 as well as wirring info.
Thanks
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 08:53 PM
  #7  
TurboF-body's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

the 5.3 is not an lq4. The lq4 is a 6.0. The 6.0 will weigh more than the 5.3 and the ls1 will make more power. Any swap that is for an ls1 will work for a 6.0 or 5.3. The 6.0 and 5.3 have both been in the 700-800whp range on stock bottom end. most people back down on the boost though so their motor lasts longer. The reason you wouldn't want to go with a ls1 is because of the compression. Yes the 5.3 and 6.0 weigh more than the ls1, but in order to make a boosted ls1 600whp+, your gonna have to run 10psi plus. And once you get above 8 psi your gonna have to start saving money for when your ls1 blows up.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 11:23 PM
  #8  
ricardo.benin's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Default

Hi thanks for all the info so on an ls1 is it the pistons or rods that normally go out.
Thanks
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 11:40 PM
  #9  
JoeNova's Avatar
Restricted User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Default

05(ish) brought updated rods/pistons in all of the LS motors. All LS1s had the older style rods which are much weaker. There are still guys on this forum making 800 whp with the older style rods.

If you want a strong stock bottom end, its going to have to be a gen 4 motor or one of the gen 3 motors that switched rods/pistons early. Yes, you can swap internals into an older block.

Rods break first from too much power/torque, pistons break from heat/detonation.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:50 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE