Lowering compression for turbo

I am looking at the STS turbo system (same that someone else was talking about) It will be going into an 02' SS Camaro with the stock LS1. I was reading the forum for the LT1, and people recommended 8.5 - 9.0 ratio. That is about what I was thinking for the LS1 also, sound right to everyone? I haven't torn into many motors so this is kinda gonna be a learning experience. Do I have any options other than changing pistons and heads to lower compression? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot.

In order to lower compression you'll either need heads with a larger combustion chamber, or lower compression pistons. It all depends on how much power you want to make, how reliable you want it to be, and how much time/money you have to spend. If you post up what you're looking for in those three areas it will be easier to recommend specs/parts. :)

-Pete-

do it right buy some nice diamond or JE 2618 pistons and drop it down as well as beef it up

It has been proven both in theory and many, many times in the real world that more boost/less compression makes more hp than more compression/less boost. In both cases, the ultimate limit is primarily related to the available fuel octane. That said, I am not real familiar with the various turbo compressors. But the same general rules apply as to centrifugals and assuming you are planning on pump gas, IF the turbo you plan to use can flow enough air you want the compression down in the 9:1 range or lower. As already mentioned, a combination of larger combustion chambers and pistons with a large dish are the primary ways to get there. A thicker head gaslet can also be of some help. Don't worry about the effects on quench distance if you go with a bigger gasket. Forced induction apps have so much turbulence in the chambers that quench becomes a non-issue.

Rich

It will still be an every day driver so I still need it to be reliable... The STS system is $4,000 so that'll pretty well break me... or just put me more into debt, however you want to look at it... So i'd like to keep it cheap, but I wanna do it right! I dont want to cut corners and end up blowing it up in 3 months while i'm beating the sh*t out of a GT Mustang... They say the turbo on an LS1 will make about 415 hp at 5 psi or 500 hp at 8 psi, so I wouldn't mind being at 500-550 hp... see how fast I can blow out the rear end... ha. So that's about where I'm at, so any more info would be great, as well as the info that so far is greatly appreciated!

just get a set of 317 casting 6.0 aluminum heads. They have LS6 port castings and a open chamber that will drop you down into the 9.5 area. You should be able to run 6-8 pounds with a safe tune as a daily driver. You will need forged pistons and rods if you want to go wild with the boost.

sounds good and that helps a lot, thanks much!