LSX 454 and boost?
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
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LSX 454 and boost? Hey guys,
I have a 2008 Corvette Z06 with an LSX 454, 4.185 Bore, 4.125 Stroke, 6.125 rods. I’ve been gapping twin turbo coyotes all day long. Now Im thinking of the next step.
My heads are RHS Pro Elite LS7 heads which I heard were at the middle of the cylinder heads food chain at best. I got a quote for the absolute highest flowing heads for my setup and it’s the same price as a turbo or supercharger kit.
What would you do in my case? Remain NA and max out the setup with the best parts money can buy an NA setup or go boost say at 8 - 10 psi MAX.
I know people will say the bore is too much and that the LSX was never meant for boost. But maybe high boost is the problem?
What if I lower the CR with Diamond Pistons -24 cc dish and add meth and then boost to 8 - 10 psi? Is that an option?
All opinions would be appreciated
Thank you
I have a 2008 Corvette Z06 with an LSX 454, 4.185 Bore, 4.125 Stroke, 6.125 rods. I’ve been gapping twin turbo coyotes all day long. Now Im thinking of the next step.
My heads are RHS Pro Elite LS7 heads which I heard were at the middle of the cylinder heads food chain at best. I got a quote for the absolute highest flowing heads for my setup and it’s the same price as a turbo or supercharger kit.
What would you do in my case? Remain NA and max out the setup with the best parts money can buy an NA setup or go boost say at 8 - 10 psi MAX.
I know people will say the bore is too much and that the LSX was never meant for boost. But maybe high boost is the problem?
What if I lower the CR with Diamond Pistons -24 cc dish and add meth and then boost to 8 - 10 psi? Is that an option?
All opinions would be appreciated
Thank you
The LSX does great with boost. Instead of guessing, you should sonic check the cylinders and see how much material you have to work with.
You're at the point of diminishing returns for high power NA. You already have lots of cubic inches, and very good cylinder heads. The RHS pro elite with the raised runners were some of the best around.
What I do know is they don't sell them anymore due to casting flaws, and I'm not sure if they have a strong enough deck to stand up to high power with some boost. A 454 with 10psi you could easily be 1100+ horsepower.
I guess the question is...how much power do you make now, and where do you want to be?
You're at the point of diminishing returns for high power NA. You already have lots of cubic inches, and very good cylinder heads. The RHS pro elite with the raised runners were some of the best around.
What I do know is they don't sell them anymore due to casting flaws, and I'm not sure if they have a strong enough deck to stand up to high power with some boost. A 454 with 10psi you could easily be 1100+ horsepower.
I guess the question is...how much power do you make now, and where do you want to be?
For me personally, it’s fun to gap a guy and see him the next weekend at the hangout. I open my hood and there’s no FI, and the guy(s) that got gaped are turbo or nitrous cars/trucks. Folks start asking lots of questions.
What compression ratio are you at now? What fuel do you run? Is E85 available? Power level your looking for?
The thing with maxing out a NA setup is that it tends to start to compromise drivability and efficiency where boost can keep them both and still make the power your looking for.
The thing with maxing out a NA setup is that it tends to start to compromise drivability and efficiency where boost can keep them both and still make the power your looking for.
TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 467
Likes: 195
Simple....put it on spray 
If you can hook it, that is.
An instant extra 150 ft/lbs and 125+ RWHP with no spooling and no additional heavy hardware and belt issues......or potential cooling issues due to airflow management issues.
If you can hook it, that is.
An instant extra 150 ft/lbs and 125+ RWHP with no spooling and no additional heavy hardware and belt issues......or potential cooling issues due to airflow management issues.
OP, let me know if you're interested in a system!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 635
Likes: 329
From: Missouri
I completely agree. Set it up right from the get go and make a system that is super reliable. You'll be jetting that thing to a 200 shot in no time.... Wild when you want it / n/a monster the rest of the time.
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Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
The LSX does great with boost. Instead of guessing, you should sonic check the cylinders and see how much material you have to work with.
You're at the point of diminishing returns for high power NA. You already have lots of cubic inches, and very good cylinder heads. The RHS pro elite with the raised runners were some of the best around.
What I do know is they don't sell them anymore due to casting flaws, and I'm not sure if they have a strong enough deck to stand up to high power with some boost. A 454 with 10psi you could easily be 1100+ horsepower.
I guess the question is...how much power do you make now, and where do you want to be?
You're at the point of diminishing returns for high power NA. You already have lots of cubic inches, and very good cylinder heads. The RHS pro elite with the raised runners were some of the best around.
What I do know is they don't sell them anymore due to casting flaws, and I'm not sure if they have a strong enough deck to stand up to high power with some boost. A 454 with 10psi you could easily be 1100+ horsepower.
I guess the question is...how much power do you make now, and where do you want to be?
I never dyno’d the car. However, for my power goals, I want to be anywhere around 800 - 900 whp SAFELY.
You say the LSX is great for boost. Does that apply to my setup as well? Or do I have to destroke/resleeve?
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Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
What compression ratio are you at now? What fuel do you run? Is E85 available? Power level your looking for?
The thing with maxing out a NA setup is that it tends to start to compromise drivability and efficiency where boost can keep them both and still make the power your looking for.
The thing with maxing out a NA setup is that it tends to start to compromise drivability and efficiency where boost can keep them both and still make the power your looking for.
E85 is available in barrels from Ignite or VP Racing. We don’t have it in gas stations here.
Power wise, I would like to be around the 800 - 900 wheel hp safely if it all possible.
You’re right about the drivability with a highly modified NA setup.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
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If I go down this road with my setup, how much should I be jetting? i was told by the builder that I could jet up to a 150 shot max.
Do you think it’s right given my setup?
Cheers
Must be the slowest twin turbo coyotes in the country lol
I had an lsx 454, it ran strong but nowhere near what twin turbo setups are running. My twin turbo setup on wastegate makes 200hp more then my lsx. Turbo stangs are running mid 8’s to low 9’s on fairly basic bolton turbo setups. Im sure the z could run mid 9’s but gapping twin turbos all day is a bit strong.
Either way I much prefer turbo over nitrous, turbos dont run out after multiple runs, dont need to wait to heat up to get pressure just right, or have to pay to have them refilled. You will need a large hotside to let that 454 breath may as well get a gt55 right off the bat. Will make good power even on low boost. Do you have the newer part number LSX block or the older one? I agree checking thr cylinder thickness is worth the time or perhaps even looking into someone wanting to trade a smaller displacement block for yours.
I had an lsx 454, it ran strong but nowhere near what twin turbo setups are running. My twin turbo setup on wastegate makes 200hp more then my lsx. Turbo stangs are running mid 8’s to low 9’s on fairly basic bolton turbo setups. Im sure the z could run mid 9’s but gapping twin turbos all day is a bit strong.
Either way I much prefer turbo over nitrous, turbos dont run out after multiple runs, dont need to wait to heat up to get pressure just right, or have to pay to have them refilled. You will need a large hotside to let that 454 breath may as well get a gt55 right off the bat. Will make good power even on low boost. Do you have the newer part number LSX block or the older one? I agree checking thr cylinder thickness is worth the time or perhaps even looking into someone wanting to trade a smaller displacement block for yours.
I ran a 200 shot plate kit on my 445 13:8 compression for 8 years before it was starting to get tired and needed a refresh. Came to find out my liners finally gave up the ghost on my darton lined LS7 block. Like Steve at RED said "nothing lasts forever" LOL. On to a DART LS NEXT all aluminum block and Mast 305 6 bolt heads. All for more Juice!!
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 226
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Must be the slowest twin turbo coyotes in the country lol
I had an lsx 454, it ran strong but nowhere near what twin turbo setups are running. My twin turbo setup on wastegate makes 200hp more then my lsx. Turbo stangs are running mid 8’s to low 9’s on fairly basic bolton turbo setups. Im sure the z could run mid 9’s but gapping twin turbos all day is a bit strong.
Either way I much prefer turbo over nitrous, turbos dont run out after multiple runs, dont need to wait to heat up to get pressure just right, or have to pay to have them refilled. You will need a large hotside to let that 454 breath may as well get a gt55 right off the bat. Will make good power even on low boost. Do you have the newer part number LSX block or the older one? I agree checking thr cylinder thickness is worth the time or perhaps even looking into someone wanting to trade a smaller displacement block for yours.
I had an lsx 454, it ran strong but nowhere near what twin turbo setups are running. My twin turbo setup on wastegate makes 200hp more then my lsx. Turbo stangs are running mid 8’s to low 9’s on fairly basic bolton turbo setups. Im sure the z could run mid 9’s but gapping twin turbos all day is a bit strong.
Either way I much prefer turbo over nitrous, turbos dont run out after multiple runs, dont need to wait to heat up to get pressure just right, or have to pay to have them refilled. You will need a large hotside to let that 454 breath may as well get a gt55 right off the bat. Will make good power even on low boost. Do you have the newer part number LSX block or the older one? I agree checking thr cylinder thickness is worth the time or perhaps even looking into someone wanting to trade a smaller displacement block for yours.
My question was, what's next?
If I wanted to boost could I boost this? I was thinking of a Procharger @ 10psi maximum. Do I need to lower compression with dish pistons (I do not know current CR)? I take it running meth is a given?
Block went in in 2012 by the previous owner. I don't know if it's the newer or older part number.
And yes I agree with what you said about Nitrous. That's why I don't want to go that route.
Is this a tall deck or standard deck LSX block? From what I've read the standard LSX block is limited to NA only when going to 454. Is this for a street car or a racing application? If it's an all out race motor then filling the water jackets with HardBlok to strengthen the cylinder walls for power adders is an option.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
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Is this a tall deck or standard deck LSX block? From what I've read the standard LSX block is limited to NA only when going to 454. Is this for a street car or a racing application? If it's an all out race motor then filling the water jackets with HardBlok to strengthen the cylinder walls for power adders is an option.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 226
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So it will work. Why do a lot of people say it won’t. I was reading other threads and everyone was negative about the whole idea. Why not, for instance, lower CR with dish diamond pistons and add meth and upgrade the fuel system? Boost will be around 8 - 10 psi max. Nothing more.
So it will work. Why do a lot of people say it won’t. I was reading other threads and everyone was negative about the whole idea. Why not, for instance, lower CR with dish diamond pistons and add meth and upgrade the fuel system? Boost will be around 8 - 10 psi max. Nothing more.