LS3 cast crank hp limitations
It’s relative. If it’s a tractor pull engine that will see 30+psi for 30+ seconds at 7500k rpm, then it’s not gonna live. But if it’s a typical street build that will see the occasional blast, then it will live for a long while. Gap the rings for boost. As 01Camaro said, it’s a time thing. It’s been done thousands of times with large success in street builds.
I made around 1200rwhp with a cast crank and Compstar rods/Wiseco pistons running MAST LS3 heads and a turbo. It was a 1/2 mile event car mostly and was great for years.... I finally killed the crank by doing a 1st thru 4th gear burnout (showing around 140mph or so) and going maybe 70mph.... I let off the throttle still in gear... and when it hooked up the driveline shock cracked the 7/8 rod journal clean thru. The only thing holding the crank together was the rods. Luckily it didn't hurt the block (LS9) and I replaced the crank with a forged unit, 2 new rods, new rings/bearings and it lives on.
With a supercharged engine putting extra load on the crank snout I would do a forged crank for sure at that power level. Turbos are a lot easier on parts.
With a supercharged engine putting extra load on the crank snout I would do a forged crank for sure at that power level. Turbos are a lot easier on parts.
I've been running a stock ls3 block and crank with a 24t reluctor, k1 rods, and wiseco pistions for a few years now. Started with a d1x and moved to an f1a-94 last year. So far so good.
