Stock LS1 Block - Max HP
“Stock Block LS1 Max HP”
Using a dyno to judge this mythical number is a crap idea, too many variables. Different dyno types, different loads, gearing etc.. The artificial atmosphere created by boost skews the correction factors used to streamline dyno numbers at different altitudes/humidity/temps. Basically the numbers can vary a TON. If Joe Schmoe made 1000HP on a Dyno in Death Valley, this doesn’t mean LS1’s in general will withstand 1000whp. Dynos are horrible tools to determine a base line for “max HP”. They don’t use real world loads/drag etc. They are meant to be a tuning tool only.
Many high number dyno cars rarely back up there numbers at the strip. There’s a reason for that. Look at quarter mile weight/trap speed if you want real world data on who’s “stock LS1” is doing the most work.
IMO the gen3 rods in an LS1 are the weak point. Assuming your tune is spot on these usually fail before crank/block flex or HG sealing. Assuming a peak power # on a dyno were the main goal. I’m sure you could limit the power/torque down to nothing in the low/mid RPM range and make 1000whp in a very small window in the upper RPM range. But it’s not practical to race/drive a setup like that. You want the most average HP across the field for the most fun setup IMO. So getting caught up in the “I want 1000 HP” SBE hype seems pointless to me.
Using a dyno to judge this mythical number is a crap idea, too many variables. Different dyno types, different loads, gearing etc.. The artificial atmosphere created by boost skews the correction factors used to streamline dyno numbers at different altitudes/humidity/temps. Basically the numbers can vary a TON. If Joe Schmoe made 1000HP on a Dyno in Death Valley, this doesn’t mean LS1’s in general will withstand 1000whp. Dynos are horrible tools to determine a base line for “max HP”. They don’t use real world loads/drag etc. They are meant to be a tuning tool only.
Many high number dyno cars rarely back up there numbers at the strip. There’s a reason for that. Look at quarter mile weight/trap speed if you want real world data on who’s “stock LS1” is doing the most work.
IMO the gen3 rods in an LS1 are the weak point. Assuming your tune is spot on these usually fail before crank/block flex or HG sealing. Assuming a peak power # on a dyno were the main goal. I’m sure you could limit the power/torque down to nothing in the low/mid RPM range and make 1000whp in a very small window in the upper RPM range. But it’s not practical to race/drive a setup like that. You want the most average HP across the field for the most fun setup IMO. So getting caught up in the “I want 1000 HP” SBE hype seems pointless to me.
Last edited by Forcefed86; Jan 19, 2016 at 08:41 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Avon, Ohio
As far as the stock LS1 goes, I have 4-5 pulls on the dyno over 870whp, and one Mexican run that lifted the head (this was at 22psi). Pistons still look great. I turned it down and will be running around 800whp for the foreseeable future. Many runs on the street and a few track days so far at this power level.
Its all relative.
Its all relative.
As an update-some 24-25 psi runs after this post netted me 6 bent rods, 2 severly. Block is mint and will be reused.
Realistically there is WAY to much envolved to try and give a certain number. Realistically EVERY engine is different. Every dyno reads different. TUNING is a lot of it as well as miles on motor and how it was maintained. Then there are those what I like to call factory freaks. I'll start by saying this... it seems like for some reason.. or maybe it's just luck from my buddies and I have experienced... That nitrous isn't as hard on the stock ls1 engine as boost. I've had a heads and cam car that I sprayed a 200 shot on and street raced about every other weekend. Occasionally even bumped to 250 and in fact on one particular race installed a 175 dry shot on top of wet kit. So threw 425 shot at it. Motor never blew. Had 83,000 on it. Started with 50,000 Now that motor and car is built and mostly drag. My daily I just picked up had 148,000 miles on it. I put a cam and procharger on it. Busted a Ring land on 6 I was running about 10 psi and estimated 625whp motor hurt at 156,000 buddy of mine picked up clean 02 SS 60k original miles. We put HCI and single 76mm. With safe timing and 10 psi motor started having crap ton of blow by with in 5,000 miles. Sad thing his old Z28 HCI and nitrous lasted over 200,000 miles he installed the nitrous on it at 84,000 motor never blew. He sprayed 200 shot as well.
