Stock LS1 shortblock power limit?

**Roastem** · 12-15-2005, 05:16 AM

I want to keep this engine and trans going for a little while. Eventually, I will be getting the AFR 205's with their matched cam, with an LS6 manifold and a stock ported and polished throttle body (sounds like hell on a T-56 and 7.5 rear). That combo should make about 500 HP/ 475 lb-ft at the rear wheels (guesstimation). I have heard the tranny is rated at 400 lb-ft. Should I just go for the whole setup above or settle for (right now anyway) the stock heads, good cam, ported/polished throttle body, LS6 intake, Comp springs? What are safe power levels for the stock LS1 shortblock?

**nhraformula** · 12-15-2005, 05:48 AM

you wint have 500 rwhp with above combo.
i would worry about anything around and above 450 rwhp.

**Roastem** · 12-15-2005, 08:39 AM

http://www.airflowresearch.com/ Then click on dyno test. They got 530 at 6500 with their combo. I don't know if that was an engine dyno or chassis dyno though. That's plenty of HP without touching the shortblock!

**nhraformula** · 12-15-2005, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Roastem

http://www.airflowresearch.com/ Then click on dyno test. They got 530 at 6500 with their combo. I don't know if that was an engine dyno or chassis dyno though. That's plenty of HP without touching the shortblock!

thats not at the rear.
while you can make over 500 to the rear on stock cubes, the car wont be streetable.

while i didnt look at the cam afr is using, i think its a 224.
people are getting 420 or so to the rear with that cam and 205 heads.

**Roastem** · 12-16-2005, 04:41 AM

420 rwhp, man that is serious HP for that car! 330 rwhp w/4.10's is a handful in first and second with 295/35/18's, and if the road has any moisture on it at all, then it is a handful in third too. As it is, I can't seem outrun a minivan because it spins too much.

**~redlinels1~** · 12-16-2005, 05:20 PM

You would be surprised how strong the stock block is. Its all in the tune. There a few guys running forced induction and are making over 600 to the wheels. But thats a whole different setup so we wont get into that.

Also, a 500rwhp heads/cam ls1 would not be street friendly. In fact...you would probably hate it. You can have all the power in the world, but its useless if you cant get it to the ground. With a decent heads/cam combo (420-430rwhp) and all of the proper suspension and chassis mods the car would be extremely fast. Remember...there are quite a few cam "only" f-bodies in the 10s because they utilize all of the power.

Well that and they're running a huge ass cam lol.

**Ric** · 12-17-2005, 06:17 AM

Don't worry about horsepower hurting your powertrain... the TORQUE is what you need to be aware of. Horsepower is simply a mathematical conversion of how much torque is applied over a given time(1 hp = 550 ft-lbs/second, as in you could lift 550 lbs 1ft off the ground in 1 second with 1 hp) Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the T56 can handle 450 ft-lbs. You can make 1,987,324,734 hp, and so long as you don't go beyond 450 ft-lbs(or whatever the T56 is rated for), the stock trans will do fine... but I doubt you can get 1,987,324,734 hp out of a stock-internal LS1, though.

delinquent543 · 12-17-2005, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by Ric

... but I doubt you can get 1,987,324,734 hp out of a stock-internal LS1, though.

well, not without stickers, a giant wing, and a trashcan muffler..

**degenerate** · 12-23-2005, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by delinquent543

well, not without stickers, a giant wing, and a trashcan muffler..

finally someone is on to what all the ricers figured out years ago

Bombguy99Z28 · 12-24-2005, 12:00 AM

The bottom end will hold up fine no matter what you throw at it. Rod bolts have to be replaced to safely go near 7k continuously. Obviously, this is as long as you know what you are doing and depends on your setup. Generally if you are going to put the money into an engine to make a lot of power, its worthwhile to spend a little more and get parts in there that give you more room for error. Go too lean or get too much detonation and parts will fail, stock, forged, whatever.

**ninobrn99** · 12-27-2005, 05:20 PM

550( 500 mustang dyno) is the max you should throw at it. The rod bolts will give out. Be somewhat conservative.

**DocEwww** · 12-29-2005, 01:30 AM

Rod Bolts then the pistons...our rods and crank are silly strong. 600rwhp is pretty much at the limit...more can be made but its only a matter of time.

Bombguy99Z28 · 12-29-2005, 03:36 PM

Those mods you listed won't get you 475-500hp at the tire.

**618Hawk** · 12-30-2005, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Roastem

I want to keep this engine and trans going for a little while. Eventually, I will be getting the AFR 205's with their matched cam, with an LS6 manifold and a stock ported and polished throttle body (sounds like hell on a T-56 and 7.5 rear). That combo should make about 500 HP/ 475 lb-ft at the rear wheels (guesstimation). I have heard the tranny is rated at 400 lb-ft. Should I just go for the whole setup above or settle for (right now anyway) the stock heads, good cam, ported/polished throttle body, LS6 intake, Comp springs? What are safe power levels for the stock LS1 shortblock?

A lot is going to depend on how you treat things after.. the fact. I have been putting down over 500 hp and tq for the last year with no problems. Yes F/I may play a bit of a difference, vs N/A. The a stock bottom end and trans and rear, are still holding on but that too depends on how you treat them. Car is a joy to drive on the street, no problems whats so ever. Ok when the roads get a bit wet things get interesting.

**ninobrn99** · 01-08-2006, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Bombguy99Z28

Those mods you listed won't get you 475-500hp at the tire.

he's right. you may get 420 or so, but not anywhere near what your thinking. Alot of it is also going to have to do with your tune. Good luck!

**MNR-0** · 01-08-2006, 03:09 PM

I heard 550fwhp was the limit for stock block. That equates to 410rwhp. Things come close to breaking after that.

**ninobrn99** · 01-08-2006, 03:32 PM

i was certain it was rwhp.

ls1BrownBoots · 01-09-2006, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Roastem

I want to keep this engine and trans going for a little while. Eventually, I will be getting the AFR 205's with their matched cam, with an LS6 manifold and a stock ported and polished throttle body (sounds like hell on a T-56 and 7.5 rear). That combo should make about 500 HP/ 475 lb-ft at the rear wheels (guesstimation). I have heard the tranny is rated at 400 lb-ft. Should I just go for the whole setup above or settle for (right now anyway) the stock heads, good cam, ported/polished throttle body, LS6 intake, Comp springs? What are safe power levels for the stock LS1 shortblock?

6 bolt main w/ all forged internals. nuff said

**Roastem** · 01-12-2006, 11:39 AM

In other words, set the rev limiter at 6500, get a cam that makes good power there, get some ported ls1 heads, and don't go over 450 rwhp, and try to be happy with that power level. That last part is where I think I will go wrong!!