what causes parts to break under boost?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 19
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what causes parts to break under boost? as the topic says, what exactly causes parts to break under boost? is it just detenation due to improper tuning or the extra wear on the part or what? how prone to breakage would the stock internals be on a 5# boost ATI kit? also, what would be most likely to break? something to worry about? thanks.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 320
Likes: 5
From: Nottingham, Notts, England, UK
Re: what causes parts to break under boost? IMHO very high cylinder pressures and detonation are the killers to watch out for. 5psi for short duration wouldn't normally harm an engine set up properly. Me, I wouldn't worry with 5psi and a proper install etc.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 553
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From: Columbia, MD
Re: what causes parts to break under boost? I agree with Mike.
Detonation (pre-ignition) happens when the air in a cylinder ignites on its own while the piston is still traveling UP the chamber. This causes nasty things happen on even the most robust of engines, let alone the factory LS1. This is the worst enemy for a boosted or high compression motor.
The factory LS1 pistons are cast aluminum and are very weak in comparison to forged pistons. The crystalline molecular structure in cast aluminum pistons is not uniform, and may have microscopic air particles and other impurities embedded within the metal. For this reason they are prone to crack at the slightest hint of detonation. They are usually the first things to go in boosted LS1 stock shortblocks.
If you can keep the detonation down, and don't go over 600RWHP (which should be fairly easy on only 5lbs), your factory bottom end should be fine for a few years.
Detonation (pre-ignition) happens when the air in a cylinder ignites on its own while the piston is still traveling UP the chamber. This causes nasty things happen on even the most robust of engines, let alone the factory LS1. This is the worst enemy for a boosted or high compression motor.
The factory LS1 pistons are cast aluminum and are very weak in comparison to forged pistons. The crystalline molecular structure in cast aluminum pistons is not uniform, and may have microscopic air particles and other impurities embedded within the metal. For this reason they are prone to crack at the slightest hint of detonation. They are usually the first things to go in boosted LS1 stock shortblocks.
If you can keep the detonation down, and don't go over 600RWHP (which should be fairly easy on only 5lbs), your factory bottom end should be fine for a few years.
