taws6

iTrader: (2)

Hi,

I've been reading 'how stuff works', (great website BTW thanks), and it surgests one way of increasing hp is to increase the compression ratio.
Obviously I want a reliable engine, but is there a way to do this and is it worth while?

Also, I guess an intercooler can only be used on a car using forced induction?

Thanks for the help,
Paul.

letsrunem

iTrader: (15)

A set of aftermarket heads with smaller combustion chambers will raise your CR. Heads plus a cam will give you some good power on an LS1.

Intercooler for forced induction only.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Ahh, thanks man.
I was under the impression aftermarket heads were bigger so more fuel/air could be burned, not smaller to compress more

Thanks for clearing that up for me,

Paul.

letsrunem

iTrader: (15)

No prob. Just do a lot of reading on here, there's tons to learn.

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Thinner headgaskets or milling the heads as well can increase the CR. But there are limits with both, and especially if you do a cam later on. +1 on alot of research...I need to do it as well.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Yes an intercooler is for turbo cars to cool the intake charge....

slvr98camaro

iTrader: (1)

aftermarket heads usually have a bigger intake runner, and smaller combustion chamber sizes

bigger intake runner=more air can get into the engine, and smaller chambers means higher compression which will give you more power.

that is of course, you match the heads with your engine, you dont want huge 230cc intake runners on a 100% stock engine, you are going to have 0 low end torque, and its going to run like crap

edit* but ways to increase compression are to use smaller combustion chamber sizes like said, use domed pistons, mill the block/head, and a thinner intake gasket