how much hp and beating can a 2 bolt main lt1 take.

 

A whole lot more than 99% of us have the money to make it. Seriously there is a guy with an Impala running 10s on a stock bottom with a blower and nitrous. I have seen heads/cam cars putting out over 400hp spray a 200 shot, and one guy is even spraying a 280hp 2 stage shot all on stock bottom ends. My personal opinion is that GM used a 4 bolt in the Vette solely to say it was "better" than the rest of the LT1s becuase the 2 bolt can take a whole lot more power than any stock Vette ever made reguardless of engine.

 

A 2 bolt block should be good for 500 - 550 hp. Heavy use of Nitrous would make me lower that figure, Nitrous just makes too much torque in the mid range.

At 700 hp the crank will definitely be able to wiggle around in there and cause the main caps to move about. Saw the evidence myself.

FWIW my current engine makes around 600 hp and I went with splayed caps, on the theory, better safe than sorry.

Hope this helps

LWM

 

The two bolt can take quite a bit. I'm shifting at 6,800 without issue on a stock bottomend. If you have the cash though a four bolt is a nice bit of insurance for the mains at very high prm.
Steve...