what kind of power can a stock block handle with all forged goodies? i have a callies crank , oliver rods, je custom pistons for turbo, billit caps,hell fire rings ect!! block is not filled at all, as i was going to drive it on the street!! hoping for 1000 hp to the tire safely

 

Spend a little time searching this forum. Not many LT1s survive 1000 fwhp very well, let alone 1000 rwhp. Blocks (filled even) give out.

Getting a 1000 rwhp car safely on the street ain't easy, and about near impossible with an LT1. If you ratchet your expectations down several hundred ponies, you might accomplish it, assuming your pockets are deep enough.

 

Well, like OldSStroker said ain't happening.
$50.000 engine might get ya there and that's with an evermore large turbo.
Then ya need a Pro Stock chassis to put it in, tow truck,enclosed trailer,etc,etc.
Yea about 250,000 large one's will do.

 

Hahaha is there even a such thing?? 1000hp on the street is useless and unsafe no matter what. you could do it with the lt1 but it will take a ****load of boost with nitrous and like the others have said Deep Deep Deep pockets as in morgage you house. shoot for 700 and you might have better luck but 1000hp is just way too much for a street car. Even the 1000hp supras dont run around on the streets.

 

Ratchet your expectations down, I have to use that one

 

I agree that it would be completely pointless and unsafe on the street but if you want "an lt1" with that level of power then convert an aftermarket block to accept LT1 goodies, I have read a few conversions of aluminum blocks so I don't see why you couldn't do it with a good aftermarket iron block. As a side bonus this would allow you to go bigger on the cubes as well making is slightly less difficult to achieve your goal.

 

Do a search for Rick Intrau, he made 1200 RWHP with a stock block, but it was in a race car. I believe it can be done, it has already been done if memory serves. The guy with the white with orange striped convertable on here did it or came close with a blower, Z8's has to be close, Brady McNew was around 750 RWHP with his twin turbo LT1 and drove it on the Hot Rod Power Tour. If a stock block Buick V6 can do it, why cant a stock block Lt1 do it? Making that power LIVE is the key here....you detonate that engine one time under the boost levels required to make that power, and nothing is gonna live. The LT1 block has more of an advantage over a standard small block CHevy to prevent this because of its reverse flow cooling.....it will help the detonation scenario, look into Evans Cooling also, it will help.


Have fun doing you Steve Kinser impression at 70 mph or better, cuz that much power on the street is gonna be fun. Have it straight in the street when you gas it, or you will be ditch cleaning.

I saw Brady McNew set a set of 325/50 Drag radials on FIRE from a 45 mph roll on..... and he had PLENTY of suspension, take that for what its worth.


David

 

Evans Cooling is BS look into the science of it and water is a signifigantly better heat transfer medium.
For the money I still think an aftermarket block converted is the way to go, the LT1 block might hold it a good aftermarket WILL for the cost of something like this and the expense if something goes wrong I don't see it as worth the risk.

 

that seems too be contrary too what is read/posted on here from or about "the big dogs" (not exactly street cars tho)

i havent ever read of a block failure (like a 302W block for ex.) rather then an oiling or rotating assembly failure of some sort

 

This is BS about Evans. Don't care about the science,IT WORKS.

 

thanks for all the advise!! i have allready safely put well over 700 hp through it regularly!!! was woundering if it could handle more been well over 140 with the combination!! was looking at converting to a dart block!! how much work to covert lt1 internals into a dart block can it be done?? was hoping to make my small block chevy run somewhat as good as my stage 2 buick 9.30@ 152 thanks ray

 

If you know the ROOT cause of detonation, you will know why Evans works.


Rick Intrau went an 8.08@170 with a stock block LT1.

The only problems I see with a stock block at those power levels is main cap "walk" which leads to bottom end failures...as far a "block" failure....havent seen one yet.


David

 

Failure analysis is an interesting subject. Most of us don't have the time or capability to determine what failed first when we run over our crank.

Determining if it was cap walk that screwed the bearings, or lack of oil due to not having something like priority main oiling, or just the block flexing is often difficult to do post mortem. I suggest that highend endurance racing engine builders spend considerable time and $ determining failure modes.

You could say any of those root causes could be attributed to the block. I would. Every time I see a high hp LT1 disassembled and see evidence of cap walk, cracked caps, lack of oil, etc. I am encouraged to suggest going to a stronger block when fwhp approaches 4 figures. I'm a cheap bastard and it makes economic sense to me. An LT1 block with a grand or two's worth of making it into a silk purse is still a pig's ear, to corrupt an old bromide.

 

I don't think you could find a soul who hasn't seen or heard of an LT1 block pushed to 1k+. No doubt that people are doing it but here's what I've seen more times than not.... they're changing blocks shortly after.

Once you get to this level (hopefully) you're going to be inspecting the engine religously... top & bottom end. I don't doubt that what you'd find might suggest another block is needed.

The way you decide to make the power will play a big part too. Forget doing a 700hp NA + 300hp nitrous build. That'd be the worst way to try it IMO. This is the realm of turbos and superchargers..... for a short while anyways.

Then again, it'd be a cake walk for a big small block/BBC with a little nitrous. Or in full race trim... just NA.

You can do close to 800hp with a big NA small block and the right parts. Ask me how I know.

-Mindgame

 

Its only one data point, but Baxter pushed 1,125 flywheel through a stock LT1 4-bolt main block, with no fill. That was a 383 running more than 20psi boost. At that level, it was pretty much a track car, but before that it was routinely street driven at the 800-1,000 flywheel HP level. 1,000HP is virtually useless on the street.

After using the same block for 5 years, he decided to move up to a Gen 1 aftermarket block, and his engine was torn down. There was no unusual wear or tear found on the engine. The block was sold to in individual who freshened it, and is now using it to build a 1,000+HP nitrous motor. Its made over 600HP on the dyno NA, and I'm not sure how far along he is on the nitrous tune.

Madman also claimed 1,200 flywheel HP, with no block problems.