Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch
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Teching In
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Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch Me and my brother are going to be building a magnacharged LS1 for his sandrail project (http://www.buckshotracing.com/). Niether of us have ever dealt with an LSx based engine, so we need alot of input from you guys. We are going to have a professional do the final assymbly. He wants to use the magnacharger for its simplicity and looks. We already have an LS1 from a camaro. Our goal is to get as much HP from the magnacharger as possible and still run on 91 octane. We are building the engine from the ground up, so anything goes, heads, cam, stroker, computer, ect. Heres what we need to know:
[list][*]How much total hp can be made by the magnacharger?[*]Will the 346 be enough, or should we go with a stroker to maximize the supercharger? Advise on brand?[*]Compression?[*]Stock heads? Port work? New heads?[*]Computer? (we were thinking F.A.S.T.)[*]Ignition?[*]What cam will work good with this combo?
Basicly, if you were building this engine, what would you do? We need specifics too, "a strong cam and stout bottom end would work well" wont help us too much, we need details, brands, ect.
Thanks, hope you guys can help us LSx engine novices out!
[list][*]How much total hp can be made by the magnacharger?[*]Will the 346 be enough, or should we go with a stroker to maximize the supercharger? Advise on brand?[*]Compression?[*]Stock heads? Port work? New heads?[*]Computer? (we were thinking F.A.S.T.)[*]Ignition?[*]What cam will work good with this combo?
Basicly, if you were building this engine, what would you do? We need specifics too, "a strong cam and stout bottom end would work well" wont help us too much, we need details, brands, ect.
Thanks, hope you guys can help us LSx engine novices out!
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch well first off.....how much hp are you looking for (what are you doing)...I mean....just stock they are making close to 350 hp and thats pushing 3500+ lb cars into the low 13s.....
if you just did a head/cam swap you would be over 500 hp and most SC kits are making 450+ RWHP on stock engines....
it almost sounds like you have more money than you know what to do with.....aftermarket computer and ignition....a stroker.....
if I were doing this, I would do the following:
- stock short block (replace pistons)
- port/polish 6.0 Liter heads with 2.08/1.60 valves (will flow better and lower CR some)
- get compression somewhere between 8.5 and 9.5 ???
- stock computer (reporgramed) and ignition
- magnacharger
if I were to guess, that would be well over 600 hp....perhaps even 700 hp with the right pulley
if you just did a head/cam swap you would be over 500 hp and most SC kits are making 450+ RWHP on stock engines....
it almost sounds like you have more money than you know what to do with.....aftermarket computer and ignition....a stroker.....
if I were doing this, I would do the following:
- stock short block (replace pistons)
- port/polish 6.0 Liter heads with 2.08/1.60 valves (will flow better and lower CR some)
- get compression somewhere between 8.5 and 9.5 ???
- stock computer (reporgramed) and ignition
- magnacharger
if I were to guess, that would be well over 600 hp....perhaps even 700 hp with the right pulley
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch We have no real hp goal, the only limit is the supercharger, if we can get 800hp out of the magnacharger, then we will go for 800hp, if we can get 1000hp out of it, then we will go for 1000.
The reason I asked about a stroker is because I thought we would have to go with an aftermarket bottom end anyways. Or can a stock crank handle +800hp?
All we have right now is the longblock, no computer or ignition, so we were just going to go aftermarket.
This is going to be pushing a 2000lb dune buggy, btw.
Thanks, the more specific your input, the better!
The reason I asked about a stroker is because I thought we would have to go with an aftermarket bottom end anyways. Or can a stock crank handle +800hp?
All we have right now is the longblock, no computer or ignition, so we were just going to go aftermarket.
This is going to be pushing a 2000lb dune buggy, btw.
Thanks, the more specific your input, the better!
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch ok....well now I get where your comming from...
I would still use the factory computer and ignition....it works fine and you can probubly get it (and the wires) for less than $500...
The stock crank and rods will take A LOT of hp. Replace ALL the bolt in the engine with studs (rods will use ARP bolts). Then have the press fit pins replaced with floating pins. Finish it off with some low compression forged pistons and you will have a all around good short block.
For the heads, you can use the 5.7 heads you have but really you would do better to get a set of 6.0 Liter heads. They have a larger CC chamber (lower compression more) and they already flow really well. Port/polish and replace the valve with 2.08/1.60 valves and your good to go there.
For a cam, something that has more duration on the exhaust (ex: 230/234) to clear the cylinders. A higher LSA (114 or 116) will make a smoother torgue curve.
I would still use the factory computer and ignition....it works fine and you can probubly get it (and the wires) for less than $500...
The stock crank and rods will take A LOT of hp. Replace ALL the bolt in the engine with studs (rods will use ARP bolts). Then have the press fit pins replaced with floating pins. Finish it off with some low compression forged pistons and you will have a all around good short block.
For the heads, you can use the 5.7 heads you have but really you would do better to get a set of 6.0 Liter heads. They have a larger CC chamber (lower compression more) and they already flow really well. Port/polish and replace the valve with 2.08/1.60 valves and your good to go there.
For a cam, something that has more duration on the exhaust (ex: 230/234) to clear the cylinders. A higher LSA (114 or 116) will make a smoother torgue curve.
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch if using SVOs...probubly in the 40s....50 MAX!!! The LS1s are desighned to run with a fuel pressure at 58lbs and up so the higher 36lb SVO will flow like a 42lber or something.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Orlando
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch is the magna charger the one lingenfelter is using? if so it is only going to put out 500-550 hp and it is done. i dont believe you could get anywhere near 800 with it.
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Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch You will probably end up having to go with F.A.S.T tuning. The stock PCM will not support the amount of air flow you guys will be making. I would also go with smaller combustion chambered cylinder heads and a larger piston dish rather than large cylinder head combustion chambers and smaller piston dishes. You will prevent detonation and flow better this way (esp. if you are forced induction) Should be fun, good luck.
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Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch
I would also go with smaller combustion chambered cylinder heads and a larger piston dish rather than large cylinder head combustion chambers and smaller piston dishes.
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch not as much as a big centrifugal SC..... I would bet 600 would be pretty easy (550 RWHP on a F-body...).....700s might be pretty much the limit....
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: San Diego
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch I dunno anything about the magnachargers really, but i know with other blowers (ATI i think) you can make power. A guy w/ internally stock LS1 is putting down 544rwhp with 9 pounds, he just moved up to 13 pounds, hasn't dynoed yet.
I'd stroke it to a 383, get forged dished pistons, forged rods, forged stroker crank. I think the stock ignition and computer could handle this (cheaper too), get some good flowing heads, a big blower cam, LT headers, and all the bolt-ons. You could probably run like 15 pounds of boost (using an intercooler of course) without worry.
With the blower/intercooler, high flow heads, big blower cam, and all that bolt-on stuff in a stroker 383...damn, you'd have mucho power.
I'd stroke it to a 383, get forged dished pistons, forged rods, forged stroker crank. I think the stock ignition and computer could handle this (cheaper too), get some good flowing heads, a big blower cam, LT headers, and all the bolt-ons. You could probably run like 15 pounds of boost (using an intercooler of course) without worry.
With the blower/intercooler, high flow heads, big blower cam, and all that bolt-on stuff in a stroker 383...damn, you'd have mucho power.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: San Diego
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch Ok, here are a few more specific things:
Lunati sells a 383 stroker kit/crank that has had good reviews.
I'd say ARE heads, LS6 stage II heads, they seem to be getting good numbers.
You might want to look into a sheetmetal intake (i forget the company, but www.thunderracing.com has some for sale) if you wanna spend bank, otherwise get an LS6 intake manifold (buy anywhere).
Lunati sells a 383 stroker kit/crank that has had good reviews.
I'd say ARE heads, LS6 stage II heads, they seem to be getting good numbers.
You might want to look into a sheetmetal intake (i forget the company, but www.thunderracing.com has some for sale) if you wanna spend bank, otherwise get an LS6 intake manifold (buy anywhere).
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: tega cay, SC
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch if it was me and i had all the money you apparently have i would do this:
C5R Block
forged whatever size crank you need to make a 427
forged h-beam rods
forged dished pistons
sheet metal intake
MTI stage 3 heads
D-1SC Procharger with intercooler
100 shot after the intercooler
now if it was a budget:
stock block with arp stuff
ls6 intake
383 lunati stroker kit (comes with pistons and rods)
stage 3 heads from absolute
still d1sc procharger with intercooler
C5R Block
forged whatever size crank you need to make a 427
forged h-beam rods
forged dished pistons
sheet metal intake
MTI stage 3 heads
D-1SC Procharger with intercooler
100 shot after the intercooler
now if it was a budget:
stock block with arp stuff
ls6 intake
383 lunati stroker kit (comes with pistons and rods)
stage 3 heads from absolute
still d1sc procharger with intercooler
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: tega cay, SC
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch oh don't get a long block if its going on a dune buggy. you don't need a/c or powersteering or and of that crap if its on a dune buggy. short block will cost way less.
Re: Building a magnacharged LS1 from scratch Look at my parts list, it's similar to what someone would need to make 700-800rwhp...
Fuel pump: Weldon 2025
Fuel rails: Custom billet
F regulator: Weldon
Injectors: 83 lb Siemens
PCM: imported PCM controller
Block: 3.905 bore LS6 block
Pistons: 9:1 Diamond
To make 800rwhp on 91 octane, your best bet is to get 8:1 - 8.5:1 pistons.
The problem with some blower and turbo setups is they might not be rated to make that kind of power.
I am doing a Vortech YS trim pulleyed for 20 lbs of boost and hope to make about 700rwhp thru an unlocked T400 trans. That's good for mid 9's and about 140mph in the quarter.
Fuel pump: Weldon 2025
Fuel rails: Custom billet
F regulator: Weldon
Injectors: 83 lb Siemens
PCM: imported PCM controller
Block: 3.905 bore LS6 block
Pistons: 9:1 Diamond
To make 800rwhp on 91 octane, your best bet is to get 8:1 - 8.5:1 pistons.
The problem with some blower and turbo setups is they might not be rated to make that kind of power.
I am doing a Vortech YS trim pulleyed for 20 lbs of boost and hope to make about 700rwhp thru an unlocked T400 trans. That's good for mid 9's and about 140mph in the quarter.
