powerdyne

**bandit95** · 12-14-2006, 12:58 PM

now i know alot of people dont like powerdyne for whatever reason but i've heard they've gotten better. does anyone think this is a good setup:

Powerdyne
small cam (maybe edelbrock or lt4)
some ported heads
4.10's
full exhaust

i'm trying to get some good power on maybe stock compression. how much boost is it good for before i need to lower compression? just wanna know if i can get around 400 to the wheels with this setup and keep stock compression for the time being and keep it pretty well mannered on the street with some respectable gas mileage. dont wanna go crazy with the car though. suggestions and feedback on setup, cam choice, etc?

**SexOnWheels** · 12-14-2006, 01:07 PM

I will let the FI guys chime in here but I have always heard that stock our engines can only hold any boost amount for a short time before ring flutter appears and requiring a rebuild.

**BlackLT1Z28** · 12-14-2006, 01:22 PM

A stock LT1 can only handle 6psi and 8psi intercooled. Anything more is your ass. To be on the save side, I wouldn't push more than 5psi on stock internals. It can only hold so much because of its already stout compression ratio of 10.5:1. As far as cam, I'd go with a traditional split blower cam. But I've also heard of guys using really mild cams on a 116LSA to seal in boost.

**bandit95** · 12-14-2006, 01:29 PM

i believe the powerdyne is not intercooled and comes with like a 4 or 4.5 lbs. pulley. should hold up without any reliability problems for at least awhile i'm hoping. i dunno if this would all come together at once or if i would just end up with the blower at first and everything else comes along in time.

**BlackLT1Z28** · 12-14-2006, 02:06 PM

You should be fine at 4 lbs. I've seen stock LT1's with just a blower, K&N filter, and maganflow catback run 450hp.

**Blown25thT/A** · 12-14-2006, 04:38 PM

If you plan on going forced induction, plan on rebuilding.

**SexOnWheels** · 12-15-2006, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by Blown25thT/A

If you plan on going forced induction, plan on rebuilding.

This is what I have always understood as well!

Our motors do not like boost with the stock compression.

**bandit95** · 12-15-2006, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Blown25thT/A

If you plan on going forced induction, plan on rebuilding.

even on just 4.5 lbs? i was hoping i wouldnt have to rebuild so soon.

**Blown25thT/A** · 12-15-2006, 12:48 PM

I was running 5lbs intercooled, and blew the ringskirts on 4 pistons. It's a crap shoot how long it will last. Some last 20,000 miles others(mine) only last 2000 miles. Just plan on rebuilding to be safe.

**BlackLT1Z28** · 12-15-2006, 01:58 PM

That's crazy. I didn't think that low amount of boost would cause problems. Shows how much I know.

**94z28l** · 12-16-2006, 11:32 PM

its just like nitous, some guys spray it for years others have catastrophic engine failure before their second bottle even if its set up right

**96slow6** · 12-21-2006, 10:43 PM

dont know if you made a desition or not, but the down side of the powerdyn from what i hear is its potental. i think it was that later if you decide to go crazy it cant push more than 10 lbs i think it was.

**bandit95** · 12-24-2006, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by 96slow6

dont know if you made a desition or not, but the down side of the powerdyn from what i hear is its potental. i think it was that later if you decide to go crazy it cant push more than 10 lbs i think it was.

havent made a decision yet but i didnt plan on goin too crazy with it. just lookin for around maybe 400 or so to the wheels. just want it to be a well mannered kick ass cruiser. if i decide to go crazy with it i'll end up rebuilding and goin all out.

**jcirulli** · 12-25-2006, 04:10 PM

when you all say "rebuild" when talking about forced induction, what exactly do you mean? What goes into that?

**BlackLT1Z28** · 12-25-2006, 05:11 PM

Rebuild the engine. Replace worn-out parts and freshen everything up.
This usually includes but not limited to:
honing the cylinder walls to clean them up
new pistons
piston rings
rods
main, cam, and rod bearings
gaskets
oil pump
freeze plugs
Sometimes with a rebuild, people usually decide to go bigger and do a stroker kit. And with forced induction, the choice to forge the internals is not overlooked. Makes everything more durable and are not easily damaged by increased boost pressures.

**sofTAp** · 01-03-2007, 04:08 PM

Not to highjack, but how much can the LS1 handle in terms of boost?? Is it really that much better motor? I love my LT1, but are the LS1s trully a better motor??? in terms of hopping up the power in them a bit more. I want at least 400 hp in my LT1, so I am debating on beefing her up, or selling her and getting an LS1. It's a 6 spd, convertible, so I dunno. I like convertibles .... lol

**BlackLT1Z28** · 01-03-2007, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by sofTAp

Not to highjack, but how much can the LS1 handle in terms of boost?? Is it really that much better motor? I love my LT1, but are the LS1s trully a better motor??? in terms of hopping up the power in them a bit more. I want at least 400 hp in my LT1, so I am debating on beefing her up, or selling her and getting an LS1. It's a 6 spd, convertible, so I dunno. I like convertibles .... lol

As far as handling boost, the LT1 and LS1 are about even. Both can only take about 6psi on stock internals and about 8psi intercooled.

As far as getting more power, sure the LS1 starts off a little higher, but the LT1 has cheaper parts. But I won't get into it because this has been debated on here more times than anyone wants to count.