How much HP?

[Munch]

How much HP can the stock LS1 bottom end handle? (safely)

[Sneaks]

If I remember right, I think I read where Doug from ECS said the stock LS1 bottom can safely handle 600 HP easily.

[Munch]

600?? I wonder if it matters how you get the HP.

I have heard 500-525 HP on other places.

[Z06PDQ]

the crank is stout. pistons & rods are the factor. some say it's all in the tune & are getting crazy numbers, although I don't see how the motor would live for long.

[Y2Kvert4me]

A question with no correct answer.

There are those who melted pistons or broke rods with 400rwhp, and those with FI running 700+ with no issues.

The recipe to keeping the bottom end intact is keeping combustion chamber temps in check, and controlling RPM. When you reach the limits of either is when you find out what the rotating assembly can't handle.

Exploring the hp limits generally involves exploring one or both of those limits as well, you simply can't have high hp without creating heat or RPM.


The pistons, rods, and rod bolts are the weak links. If you are >500rwhp, those are the components you may want to start shopping for.

[Cobra4B]

If you don't have the funds to build a new motor then you don't want to start playing this game.... because it will eventually break. Plus, as you up the power you need to beef up the driveline to be able to use the power.

Yeah plenty of guys say they're easy on the car and just want the power for the occasional highway romp, but you still risk fragging your driveline.... power always finds the next weakest link.

As Tom mentioned there are people who destroy the cars at 500 rwhp and there are some running 700 rwhp w/ meth/alky etc. etc. for years.

It's 50% tuning and 50% luck I'd say. For years the consensus was 550 rwhp, but people have pushed that north of 650. It also matters how you make your power. A 600 rwhp turbocharged engine is making a good bit less power than a 600 rwhp supercharged engine.... the blown motor has to make enough power to turn the supercharger.

I think the best "turn key" package is ECS' 700 rwhp package.... not sure what they call it these days. Nothing crazy exotic and it makes 700-750 rwhp. Stock displacement, but with forged pistons/rods, stock LS6 heads, ECS blower cam, and a stock LS6 manifold etc. w/ their Novi 2000 package.

[Sneaks]

Originally Posted by Munch

600?? I wonder if it matters how you get the HP.

I have heard 500-525 HP on other places.

If you're wondering about your N20 Munch, you're going to be fine so long as you keep the safety features in check. Nitrous cools the combustion chamber, so heat shouldn't be a factor. The key is keeping the right A/F/timing ratio.
You said you're going with a timing puller, so you can run a pretty big azz shot of juice on the stock internals and still be pretty darn safe. With the interface pulling timing, I wouldn't be afraid to run a 250 shot on my stock block.
But then again there's always Murphy's law.....

[Cobra4B]

^ If you can't afford for it to blow up.... it'll blow up. If you can afford to wipe your ass with $10,000 bills the combo will run at 1100 rwhp for 300,000 miles

[Munch]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

^ If you can't afford for it to blow up.... it'll blow up. If you can afford to wipe your ass with $10,000 bills the combo will run at 1100 rwhp for 300,000 miles

Aint it the truth!

[Garb55]

Originally Posted by Munch

Aint it the truth!

True, so true.