I was wondering if you took a stock lt-1, lowered the compression to 9:1 (just changed pistons) put bigger injectors on it, new fuel pump, and put a turbo on it, and got a GOOD tune, would it be safe to push...10-12 lb's of boost?

 

At a minimum, the new pistons would need to be forged and you'll need to at least hone the cylinders to install new pisstos/rings. Cams are cheap, why not replace the cam to match the turbo?

 

Agreed. If you've gone through the trouble of yanking out the motor, and changing the pistons, why not just finish it off? You've already gotten through the hard part.

You're better off just saving a little more when you can just dail in the motor as a whole. Anything less than that, and seeing over 8#'s of boost you are pretty much running a risk of having to rebuild the motor anyway.

Sure, you might get away with going cheep like this for a while. But then again you may not get away with it for a while.

I've said it several times (especially this last month on here it seems); if you're going to go forced induction on your car, and be happy with it, save the money needed to do it right. Cutting corners, or going with cheep parts is going to leave you more mad at yourself in the end than just waiting until you can afford to do it right.

 

I wouldn't do it on a high mileage engine. Later on you'll be kicking yourself for not rebuilding it while you had it apart.

 

Ya I was just asking, I was wondering what the stock crank and rods where capable of handling, thanks for all the replys

 

Lol, saw the speedvision on the rear mount turbo put some thoughts in my head =P

 

pick up some forged Low CR pistons.. you can get them cheep espcially if you go used which are pretty readily avalible for a 355ci with 5.7 rods (something low mileage and in good condition) get new plasma molly rings and new bearings with are ARP hardware take it too an expericened machine shop too have the cylinders cut and a balance. Also you could go on ebay and there are some stores on there that sell the 4034 Scat I beams for well under $200 with press fit pins.. do that and you could have a resonably strong shortblock (minus cam) too hold up too 10psi ok .. There is nothing wrong with using used pistons if you can catch the right deal on what you need and the same goes for rods.. but they are cheep new. Make sure you get the right Dish. Just make sure you dont skimp on the the hardware.. studs all through and ARP rod bolts if you stay with stock rods. Dont go too cheep on the rings summit sells some plasma molly sets for about $80 made by hastings if you are patient and shop around you could probably put a good 10-12psi 5-600hp ready shortblock togather for $1500 or so