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Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

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Old Apr 12, 2002 | 08:23 PM
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Default Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

Whats the most boost I can run without have any problems?? Any input on the subject will help.Thanks.
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Old Apr 12, 2002 | 08:42 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

I would say 9-10 LBs. I ran 12 lb and lifted the heads.
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Old Apr 12, 2002 | 09:09 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

Was the 576rwhp with the bigger pulley?
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Old Apr 13, 2002 | 03:22 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

exactly

there is no official number for a safe boost level.

you need to specify timing, fuel system, octane requirements, etc.

you can easily toast a stock motor on 5 or 6 psi if you don't do things right.
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Old Apr 14, 2002 | 12:43 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

This is another statement that needs more depth to answer properly. When you say "how much boost" you have to realize this depends on octane, fuel pump, injectors and tunning with FMU or maft.
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Old Apr 15, 2002 | 11:29 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

Most places that sell supercharger kits, or turbo kits and install them should know the limits.

I understand you wanted this to be an easy question, so I am sorry for the elaboration but this stuff is never simple. If you want super simple pay the cash and play then get a 420+ cube motor.

If you want to make max power with a stock engine and 93 octane, then you will need a better fuel pump(or puller pump in addition to stock) and bigger injectors. This is the stuff you will need to ask the shop you are planning on buy from.
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Old Apr 15, 2002 | 11:06 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VINCE:
<strong>Was the 576rwhp with the bigger pulley?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That was with the smaller pulley (2.75"
It was running very lean 14.2:1 over 6k rpms.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 08:31 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

A C5 just burnt up a piston running 12#.

8-9 is where I'd be ok.
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Old Apr 21, 2002 | 07:45 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

My vote is 7 or 8 lbs max is safe.

Any higher, you have to keep up with increased octane requirements and the margin for error is narrower.

Also, the head gasket stresses. That's what I'm hearing guys say.

My 2cents. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old Apr 21, 2002 | 08:51 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

I agree that 8lbs is around max for stock bottomend.. If you had a forged setup then you could boost more, but then more pcm programming is required.. Fuel requirement is a biggie as well.. So many things that come in to play when it comes to FI, but when it is done right you will never stop smiling..
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Old Apr 21, 2002 | 08:53 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

Is it really boost related tho?
What if you have long tubes, hi-flow cats, etc and use a 10# pulley but only see 7-8#?

Still safe? Does less boost put less stress on the engine and have less detonation even when flowing more air at lower psi with better airflow?
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Old Apr 21, 2002 | 09:18 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

You just answered your own questions? If you put a 10# pulley on the car, but only see 8#'s then you are only running 8#'s of boost. If the car is running fine then you are o.k. If you try to get the 10lbs out of it you might have to make some other adjustments to reduce any possible complications..
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 12:30 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

Guess so.. Just thinking out loud, LOL!
Lowering the psi thru airflow reduces detonation/tuning complications, eh?

But still hard on the bottom end past a certain point.. as much as the bottom end can handle rwhp. Guess you just separate the tuning issues from what the engine itself can handle without blowing up on the rotating assembly.

Less chance of burnt pistons, rings, running lean, etc..

More flow would give the same power and reduce fuel requirements? Not sure about that one.. What does the LS6 intake flow anyhow?
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 12:50 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

I do not know how much the ls6 intake flows, but others say it is a must for FI..
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 06:54 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

While it can be true that FI can make an actually softer hit on pistons, etc, than an equivalent powered heads/cam setup where the Static Compression Ratio matches the Static Compression of the h/c.

But, Jason of Golden West Performance tells me when your motor is producing in excess of 600 RWHP (an approximate figure for sake of argument), you can STILL have issues such as lifting heads, etc, even if your boost is nominal (say 5 to 8 PSI), such as may be the case with a stroker/borer.

Just a side-thought, there... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 01:32 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

The question is how do you prevent the lifting of the heads?
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 08:50 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

im hoping studs will help along with no detonation
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 06:23 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

I melted a piston with the Vortech #9 (No pulley change), reading 6 p.s.i.. I had detonation briefly at about 6000 r.p.m. while racing and then had an engine miss which turned out to be the piston. I had 93 octane with 104+ octane boost. I am a mechanic, but am new to this forced induction game. I was suprised at how quickly and easily the damage was done. I'm in the process now of getting my car running again. Whichever way I go it will be with forged dished pistons.
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 06:32 PM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

Stock pistons will go in a heartbeat. I found that out with high compression heads.. I always run 93 octane, but ruined 3 pistons in a matter of seconds.. I am having my shortblock built right now with forged internals.. I am going to be ready for that detonation this time.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 12:34 AM
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Default Re: Most boost I can safely run with a stock engine??

Yep. You have to realize that power is a result of controlled combustion pressure anyway you look at it. You always trade power for longevity.

Car Craft had a cool article about Top Fuel cars, how many passes each part lasts and how much they cost.

I think pistons lasted 12 runs. Plugs for 3.
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