LT1 bottom end limits
LT1 bottom end limits I am wondering what the limits of the stock bottom end are on an LT1. I have an STS turbo at 7 psi with no intercooler. I am wondering how much farther I can push the bottom end with new heads, cam, intake, intercooler, etc. Basically I'm looking for advice on what direction to go next. Any thoughts?
My gut says you're pretty darn close on boost. 
Haven't heard of many living past 9psi on the stock hypereutectic pistons.
I'd almost be tempted to invert your list of mods there... instead of heads and intake, spend the money on pistons and rods. A good set of forged, low compression boost-friendly pistons, along with a good set of rods, would allow you to run more boost and make more power than slapping a set of decent heads on top of the fragile pistons and powdered metal rods.
Haven't heard of many living past 9psi on the stock hypereutectic pistons.I'd almost be tempted to invert your list of mods there... instead of heads and intake, spend the money on pistons and rods. A good set of forged, low compression boost-friendly pistons, along with a good set of rods, would allow you to run more boost and make more power than slapping a set of decent heads on top of the fragile pistons and powdered metal rods.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LT1 land...the "409" of the 90s!
I was running 9Psi. One cold night it spiked at 11psi and the pistons were done I never heard it detonate but I am guessing it had to. I used to know some people running 12Psi but they were at High altitude
I never heard it detonate but I am guessing it had to. I used to know some people running 12Psi but they were at High altitude 
LT1s dont seem to enjoy boost to much, weak pistons almost always tend to let go. On nitrous they seem to fair a lot better as the fastest stock bottom end LT1 is in the 9s with nitrous
Thanks for the inputs guys. I've been mulling just re-doing the whole motor all at once with forged pistons, heads, cam, etc. I thought maybe an intercooler or heads with larger combustion chambers (lower compression ratio) might get me a lot more without pulling the motor. Pulling the motor seems like a large undertaking, given my lack of experience.
Pulling the motor is not that bad. As with everything else on the LT1 cars, nothing is very hard, but everything takes a lot of time. Just remember to lable your parts and document your process and everything will go fine. We pulled mine from the bottom in less than 2 hours.
