My car is currently on Ebay, and whether it sells or not I'm going to build a twin turbo small block. Initially going to do a 427 cid aluminum Dart or similar block (427 because my current car is a (sorta) ZL-1 clone). If this car sells then the cubic inch isn't critical.

My question is how much HP can the stock LS1 block handle? I plan on making 1000+ HP, preferably 1100-1200. I know the Dart block can handle it, but what about the LS1? Obviously it would have all aftermarket rotating assembly, etc. Just wondering if anyone knows the outer limits of these things. I made over 1000 hp with a factory ZL-1 block, but your days are numbered with that combo; that block isn't strong enough to keep things in place.

I appreciate any info. I did a search and found some info on turbo's, but nothing that really answered my question.

Jody

 

I don't think the aluminum block will handle

You might want to check on an iron truck block

Sorry, I'm not very fond of turbo's

 

highest ive seen so far is 700 to the tire on a ustang dyno which is lower than a dyno jet. car went 143 mph on stock bnlock and crank.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Just don't want to spend a bunch of money if the block won't handle the power safely. I figured the iron block might be easier to get to 427 cid and is probably stronger also. Problem is that if it's going in my current car I'm really trying to keep the engine an all aluminum 427 to kinda keep with the ZL-1 badges on the car. As far as power, 700 rwhp is plenty of power, but I'm shooting for 850-900 rwhp as that's where I'm at now and don't want to give any of it up.



Jody

 

If you're spending the money on a TT 427, why even bother with a stock aluminum block? Get a truck block or a C5R block.

 

The C5R block is a thought. The truck block is iron and I'm (at least at this time) trying to keep the engine all aluminum. It would be a lot easier to buy a complete used engine so I had all the misc parts which can be tough to round up separately unless you want to buy it all from the dealer. I figure a good Dart aluminum block will be about $4500 or so and I could get a complete LS1 for that amount and have all the accessories, brackets, sheetmetal, etc. I know all the internals would have to be changed, but I'll need all new internals anyway with the Dart option.

Jody

 

Just priced the C5R block at $6200. That's a little pricey for this project. I can get an aftermarket block for $2K less that's even stronger.

I thought maybe with the cross-bolted mains and everything the stock block has that it might be able to handle it. It is a street car, so it wouldn't see max power for any length of time.

Thanks again guys.

Jody

 

i'd recomend checking into what LPE uses.

 

you know those aftermarket blocks (dart, world products) arent interchangeable with the LS1 right

If you want to stick with the LS1 style motor you cant use those blocks.

 

Thanks, I know that. I can make 1100-1200 hp with the aftermarket Dart or similar block and regular small block stuff fairly easily. I am considering doing a twin turbo LS1 but still want somewwhere in the 1000-1100 hp range and just wonder if the factory LS1 block can handle that or not. I had heard that Lingenfelter was making 1100 hp with an LS6 version which I believe is the same LS1 block. I'll shoot them a call Monday.

Jody

 

OK, the way you wrote it I wasnt sure...

 

Well your first problem is no one makes a twin turbo system for the LS1 anymore. So unless you go custom or are lucky enough to find a used Incon system, single is all you can do.

From what I understand 427 is the max ci the truck block can go so you may not want to go that route. You may want to try 422ci with a power adder. You have to remember we are still in the early development stages of the LS1 in terms of power. 8's were just recently hit with a resleeved aluminum block. I think the highest anyone has gone HP wise is around 800hp. Which would be a guess of the HP of the car that went 8's. The engine used was ARE's resleeved aluminum block stroked to 422 which would be around 500-550hp then sprayed with more than likely a 250-300 shot of nitrous.

Adam J

 

I agree, I wasn't very clear. I can build an aftermarket style aluminum twin turbo small block or do an LS1 style twin turbo engine. Leaning towards the LS1 is the block can handle it.

Jody

 

Like stated above, Lingenfelter makes an aluminum block for their 427 TT Vette...I am thinking it is around 5k? Not sure, but I do know you can order one through them. Good Luck

 

Thanks guys for the info. The only reason for 427 cid was to keep with the "ZL-1" theme of my current car. That car is most likely gone after tomorrow so cubic inches aren't critical. Because the LS1 only has 10 head bolts per side I'm leaning towards the truck iron 6.0 block. Hopefully with o-ringing and good fasteners it will work. Only planning on 15-16 psi of boost. I'm also told that the stock plastic intake has cracking problems above 12 psi or so, so that will have to be changed also.

I will build my own stainless headers; I'm not looking for any type of kit. Just thinking it would be trick to make 1000 hp with the LS1. It's easy to do with a standard small block.

Jody