RocketBird

I’m planning to make anywhere from 700-1000 crank hp
Im more concern with the rods since it’s one of the weak points on an LS but anyways i plan on putting a single turbo on this 5.3 & make whatever boost it’ll make with the amount of power i want out of it plus… so can it be done?

This is a photo of the engine in the current state & i broke it all down to the bear block so i can get it steam cleaned & hone.

A guy told me that it wouldn’t hold up pass 500hp crank without replacing rods & I don’t believe him, I’ve seen so many ls engine make twice that with stock bottom ends… but they won’t last as long though

jasons69chevelle

Did it need honed? Some are just buying junk yard 4.8/5.3 with high mileage and putting turbos on them until the pop. 700 shouldn’t be a problem.

RocketBird

I didn’t take it to the machine shop yet, but if I can’t reach 1000 i think I’ll settle with 900hp also this engine has 196,000k miles on it

ddnspider

iTrader: (26)

Yes they'll live at 1000 crank with the right tune. Heck I'm at 700whp on an AL 5.7 with stock rods and cast pistons. Otherwise go @Summitracing piston and rod combo and you're good to almost twice that level.

RocketBird

This is a budget build & i want to reuse my stock pistons & rods but I’m getting new rings for it so I won’t have any issues with compression

ddnspider

iTrader: (26)

then keep it under 1000 and make sure the tune is right.

RocketBird

okay thanks 👍🏾

chrisfrost

iTrader: (8)

RocketBird I have read ALOOOOOOOT of threads in this forum and yes 1000 HP will undoubtedly wear bearings quicker. RPM's can do damage much quicker from everything I have read. So I would suggest keeping it under 7000 R's and for added safety no more than 6500 and She should live longer . How long ? Nobody can answer that with the 1000HP part . If You boosted it to 600,,,,,,,maybe 700 and kept R's to 6500 it would live a respectable amount of time. Good luck and keep us posted

Sebambam

If you do the rings anyways , throw new main and rod bearings on it too. All Stock OEM replacement and you have further security.
there is plenty examples of SBE 1000hp builds.
Convert it to E85 with a OEM flex fuel sensor put it in the return line then you have in general colder intake temps = more power potential and easier on the internals.