Bad Habit SS

Ok Well Im about to put on my ATI stage III setup very soon. I have a cam in but Im swapping it for a better suited cam for this setup. Now my first question is that I am running stock heads. I really have no money to port my heads and I'm wondering what the downfall will be on me. I know It will make more power and It will help keep boost levels down but what is it going to hurt. I mean If i reach the 600 rwhp levels what happens then? Second I've heard from goldenwest and such that they have had no problems really running 9 psi on stock motors and with the stage III kit they have hit 540 rwhp levels. Now i plan on doing a rebuild ASAP because i know a stock bottomend can't last long at these levels. Now They have had no problems with heads lifting or with the blocks. Now when I do my rebuild i was onyl planning rods, pistons, stock crank, custom head gaskets, and head bolts but some have said I should do a iron block for these power levels. At what levels is my stock ls1 block going to take? I don't plan on 700 rwhp so I would think it could hold. Will my heads hold? It has me thinking that I either choose to port the heads (2 grand) or do i rebuild the motor with an iron block?(couple grand) well guys give me your input and experiences with the Ls1 and forced induction. I know Tbyrne said he was lifting heads at 540 rwhp. and i know goldenwest said they have had really no problems unless the customers have gone over 10 psi or 600 rwhp.

ChrisB

[quote]Originally posted by Bad Habit SS:

Ok Well Im about to put on my ATI stage III setup very soon. I have a cam in but Im swapping it for a better suited cam for this setup.

Now my first question is:

I am running stock heads. I really have no money to port my heads and I'm wondering what the downfall will be on me.
I know It will make more power and It will help keep boost levels down but what is it going to hurt. I mean If i reach the 600 rwhp levels what happens then?

Second:

I've heard from goldenwest and such that they have had no problems really running 9 psi on stock motors and with the stage III kit they have hit 540 rwhp levels.
Now i plan on doing a rebuild ASAP because i know a stock bottomend can't last long at these levels.
They have had no problems with heads lifting or with the blocks. Now when I do my rebuild i was onyl planning rods, pistons, stock crank, custom head gaskets, and head bolts but some have said I should do a iron block for these power levels.

At what levels is my stock ls1 block going to take? I don't plan on 700 rwhp so I would think it could hold. Will my heads hold? It has me thinking that I either choose to port the heads (2 grand) or do i rebuild the motor with an iron block?(couple grand)

Well guys give me your input and experiences with the Ls1 and forced induction. I know Tbyrne said he was lifting heads at 540 rwhp. and i know goldenwest said they have had really no problems unless the customers have gone over 10 psi or 600 rwhp.<hr></blockquote>

ChrisB

Okay, did that so it was a little easier to read <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

[quote]I am running stock heads. I really have no money to port my heads and I'm wondering what the downfall will be on me.
I know It will make more power and It will help keep boost levels down but what is it going to hurt. I mean If i reach the 600 rwhp levels what happens then? <hr></blockquote>

The downfall is you either make less power, or run more boost/create more heat/are harder on the motor to make the same amount of power. I would choose the former.

Realistically you are not going to see 600rwhp with stock heads, esp. with the compressors offered in the LS1 kits. 450rwhp is probably more realistic.

[quote]
I've heard from goldenwest and such that they have had no problems really running 9 psi on stock motors and with the stage III kit they have hit 540 rwhp levels.
Now i plan on doing a rebuild ASAP because i know a stock bottomend can't last long at these levels.<hr></blockquote>

Go ahead and do the rebuild first then. Lower your compression and crank up the boost. You will be better off in the long run.


[quote]
I should do a iron block for these power levels.
<hr></blockquote>

What power levels? With stock heads/stock displacement and the compressors that are shipping in the kits I think that 450 possibly 500rwhp is more realistic, and the latter pretty much on the edge/maxxed out.

[quote]At what levels is my stock ls1 block going to take? <hr></blockquote>

I wouldn't worry about the block as long as your rebuild is done by a competent machinest, etc. Make sure they have LS1 experience.

Okay, just checked out the GWP setup you referenced above - I didn't realize they were fitting a D1 into the LS1 (though I guess the size is pretty similar?) If you have future blower plans I would go ahead and get that now and just pulley down. To make their quoted numbers though I am expecting head work/decent cam. I also think you are going to start levelling off from 550-600rwhp because of the intake (and possibly hit a point of diminishing returns well before that).

I don't think a blower car is a good choice when you have a tight budget. If you want to do it I would get the rebuild done first, then get the blower. Pay extra special care to the tuning.


Chris

Bad Habit SS

Well the D1 compressor and the size of my intercooler is crazy... my stage III kit should easily make some awesome numbers. And the reason i went blown in I was told by my parents not to use it (i've had a bottle for a while but now its gone) and i got a SWEET deal on this setup