They say it cannot be done - 1000bhp Supercharged VXR8

[R8VXF]

LSA is 9.1:1, maybe looking into ported LS9 heads that would drop it to 9:1. This is an engine built to take boost don't forget. Under piston oil jets, lower comp ratio and just generally better than the LS3 that everyone else has played with.

[ArnieVXR]

Harry has used various high performance blocks (Darton lined LS1, Warhawks, etc), Jez used an LS7, while Stevie is still running something a little more mundane. Mine's an iron LSX block with extra head bolts, as high boost can lift your heads. These blocks are good for 2500hp. Wormus found that his block split, due to the torque of his PD charger; not sure if this was luck or if was the limitation of the ali block used.

You should read about Ethyl, the Pontiac GTO (i.e. Monaro) that had a dirty great Whipple fitted. Lots of useful information there.

[R8VXF]

By everyone else I generally meant the heat pumped 112's etc Ringram has posted a link to a screwed 1000bhp LSA already, it is just working out what firewall clearance is needed for each type of screw and not sure the KB rear entry would fit. The whipple front entry is a different matter, and a more efficient airflow path.

Will check that GTO out :cheers:

[anonymous-user]

R8VXF said:

LSA is 9.1:1, maybe looking into ported LS9 heads that would drop it to 9:1. This is an engine built to take boost don't forget. Under piston oil jets, lower comp ratio and just generally better than the LS3 that everyone else has played with.

Mine is an LSA block and crank but with forged rods and pistons and CNC LSA heads. Not sure the heads made any difference on mine, they don't tend to in boosted applications except in deck height and stud diameter of LSA heads is slightly smaller than LS9 so your block will require machining. You also only have 4 bolt heads but some say it doesn't matter although a head lifting is what killed Jez's TT LS7 so who knows?

You'll also need to add a clutch to your shopping list and new pistons. I can say with certainty that the cast pistons in your stock motor will be good to about 700 fwhp tops. You should also go with a set of ARP rod bolts while your at it. Boost pump will not deliver 1000hp, so you'll need 2 x 255 lph pumps. You should also add injectors and factor in new accessory drive for the new blower. Cut a hole through your bonnet so it fits and off you go.

If your goal is to make 1000hp, cheapest route by far is to follow Arnie's advice. Get an LSXB15 (not the 454) http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines... then add a pair of turbos and pipework. Whole lot should cost you £10k and you can sell your old motor to offset the cost. John Sleath is the man to talk to.

To put that into perspective, my LSA which was REALLY built for boost was £20k so the LSX looks great value.

In spite of being one of the idiots who know nothing, this advice comes for free and without prejudice. Good luck making it work

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 17th February 14:35

[R8VXF]

Rods/pistons etc are already factored in to the equation. One of the Whipple packs comes with the injectors and pump booster, but yeah new fuel pump is also on the cards. For this build, I am not going the turbo route. That is the one thing that is certain

I have a rough budget in mind which is acceptable to me. You also reminded me I need to speak to Goldy about the Camaro bonnet vents

[liam1986]

thanks Arnie. Ethyl, that's what the guy calls his car. totally un driveable but really cool!

[R8VXF]

liam1986 said:

thanks Arnie. Ethyl, that's what the guy calls his car. totally un driveable but really cool!

I think you can safely claim your £5 this year

[PHCorvette]

The LS7 was never designed for any boost application though, the LSX is the big CC block for boost

[monkfish1]

R8VXF said:

LSA is 9.1:1, maybe looking into ported LS9 heads that would drop it to 9:1. This is an engine built to take boost don't forget. Under piston oil jets, lower comp ratio and just generally better than the LS3 that everyone else has played with.

For a 1000bhp i wouldn't be starting with an LSA.

[Xpuffin]

R8VXF said:

Rods/pistons etc are already factored in to the equation. One of the Whipple packs comes with the injectors and pump booster, but yeah new fuel pump is also on the cards. For this build, I am not going the turbo route. That is the one thing that is certain

I have a rough budget in mind which is acceptable to me. You also reminded me I need to speak to Goldy about the Camaro bonnet vents

What is your budget?
I'm thinking
Engine 8k
Blower 8k
Fuel system 1.5k
Clutch 1.5k
Exhaust 2.5k
Cooling and coatings 4K
Gearbox 5k
Driveshafts 1k
ECU datalogging and tuning 5k
Plus 50% because it always ends up about that much more.

[R8VXF]

Yeah, something along those lines. Will swap out to an LSX block if I want to push it any further.

[Xpuffin]

ArnieVXR said:

Harry has used various high performance blocks (Darton lined LS1, Warhawks, etc), Jez used an LS7, while Stevie is still running something a little more mundane. Mine's an iron LSX block with extra head bolts, as high boost can lift your heads. These blocks are good for 2500hp. Wormus found that his block split, due to the torque of his PD charger; not sure if this was luck or if was the limitation of the ali block used.

You should read about Ethyl, the Pontiac GTO (i.e. Monaro) that had a dirty great Whipple fitted. Lots of useful information there.

Wormus split an iron block iirc.

[chuntington101]

R8VXF said:

chuntington101 said:

Any reason for going with a whipe as opposed to say vortec YSI or Procharger F-1A? Both of these blowers should easily get you to your 1000bhp goal. I'm not sure if many have pushed the Whipple that high on reasonable comp. ratios and with normal fuel.

I like the way PD blowers deliver their power. There are plenty of examples of Whipples running 1000+bhp, shouldn't really be too hard

I don't think there have been too many 2.9's pushing over 1000bhp has there? Most tend to swap out to the 4.0 ltr unit once they are looking at 1000bhp. There are several 1000bhp engines out there that are using the 4.0.

Have you got any links to 2.9 whipples pushing this much? Would be good to see them.

[chuntington101]

R8VXF said:

chuntington101 said:

Any reason for going with a whipe as opposed to say vortec YSI or Procharger F-1A? Both of these blowers should easily get you to your 1000bhp goal. I'm not sure if many have pushed the Whipple that high on reasonable comp. ratios and with normal fuel.

I like the way PD blowers deliver their power. There are plenty of examples of Whipples running 1000+bhp, shouldn't really be too hard

I don't think there have been too many 2.9's pushing over 1000bhp has there? Most tend to swap out to the 4.0 ltr unit once they are looking at 1000bhp. There are several 1000bhp engines out there that are using the 4.0.

Have you got any links to 2.9 whipples pushing this much? Would be good to see them.

[stevieturbo]

ArnieVXR said:

PS stevieturbo is a driving God, so can't be included in this discussion

Well true....although I've also never even tried to run it at bigger power levels on the road ! lol So I think it's just more a little common sense than driving ability

ArnieVXR said:

Harry has used various high performance blocks (Darton lined LS1, Warhawks, etc), Jez used an LS7, while Stevie is still running something a little more mundane. Mine's an iron LSX block with extra head bolts, as high boost can lift your heads. These blocks are good for 2500hp. Wormus found that his block split, due to the torque of his PD charger; not sure if this was luck or if was the limitation of the ali block used.

You should read about Ethyl, the Pontiac GTO (i.e. Monaro) that had a dirty great Whipple fitted. Lots of useful information there.

And even Ethyl gave up on the Whipple. The torque one can produce when seeking huge numbers will just destroy everything.
A genuine 1000hp Whipple setup will also probably be generating similar torque from 3k, which will make every aspect of the engine/drivetrain very unhappy and offer zero traction.
And certainly as far as the engine is concerned I wouldnt even consider it with an alloy block, again because of the torque.

With turbos or centri, yes alloy block no sweat. Whipple...not a chance.

[stevieturbo]

Xpuffin said:

What is your budget?
I'm thinking
Engine 8k
Blower 8k
Fuel system 1.5k
Clutch 1.5k
Exhaust 2.5k
Cooling and coatings 4K
Gearbox 5k
Driveshafts 1k
ECU datalogging and tuning 5k
Plus 50% because it always ends up about that much more.

I'd say not too far wrong...especially the adding 50% on top of all that bit lol. And I'd also say is that was with the job getting done right the very first time with no screw ups at all....and those prices arent necessarily including all labour costs !

[problemchild1976]

can we at least get a pic of the car

JJ

[R8VXF]

problemchild1976 said:

can we at least get a pic of the car

JJ

Haha, knew I would forget something. Will post up when back home as pictures on my phone are too big for thumbsnap.

[anonymous-user]

Xpuffin said:

Wormus split an iron block iirc.

Nope, my stroked 383 LS1 broke although it had something stupid like 920 lbs torque to deal with. Idiotic combo that one. Iron block died you may remember down to a combination of LQ9 + stroker crank. Liners on the truck block are shortest of all the LSx engines and one of the pistons broke up. Another lesson for the community: stay away from 4" stroke motors unless it's he LS7 with longer liners.

[anonymous-user]

stevieturbo said:

And even Ethyl gave up on the Whipple. The torque one can produce when seeking huge numbers will just destroy everything.
A genuine 1000hp Whipple setup will also probably be generating similar torque from 3k, which will make every aspect of the engine/drivetrain very unhappy and offer zero traction.
And certainly as far as the engine is concerned I wouldnt even consider it with an alloy block, again because of the torque.

With turbos or centri, yes alloy block no sweat. Whipple...not a chance.

Yes, he gave up on the Whipple and went twin turbo in the end.