[Nubsnapper]

My current mods are a 2.9 Whipple with 3.5 pulley, Rotofab dry, TSP 2” with cat deletes and MBRP axle back. Custom tune by Fasterproms. Car makes 614whp. I have a flex kit installed, but not enough fuel to run it. I’m about to add a SMG external low side, LT4 HPFP and LT4 injectors. I’ve been told on E85 this could put me in the 700whp range. Question is, am I flirting with disaster? I plan on doing the rotating assembly and cam next year, but not now. I’ve seen people breaking pistons on less power and I’ve seen people making 800+ on SBE without issue. Any feedback or personal experiences are invited and welcomed.

[jeffm4688]

I was one of the unfortunate ones who popped piston ring lands @ 6500 miles and I had the LT4 blower with a 2.6 pulley on it running 93 as well as a reputable tuner (around 580rwhp). I have a feeling I may of had bottom end problems on my car even if I had no supercharged as from what I understand the ring consistency from GM isn't solid.


Personally I'd do pistons before heading over 700rwhp but I drive my car hard. You may be able to get away with it for a year you may not, in my case when I blew ring lands my fix was basically a hone and putting weiscos in so the cost was the same had I done them before blowing up.

[KingLT1]

You will need a LPE big bore to run full e85 with a stock cam. I made right at 600 in 5th gear(A8) with 3.5 pulley, stock exhaust minus cat deletes, rotofab, lt5 throttle body, on E85. Fuel system is LT4 injectors, LPE big bore, ZL1 intank, jms booster.

attached is my Dyno graph. Notice The torque comes in softer, but pulls hard up top and carries well. It needs to spun higher imo.

Overall I am pretty happy with it. I like how the torque comes in a little softer, I can hook this thing up prerty good on the street with my 305/35/20 555r. Pulled a 3.3 0-60 the other day first try on 50 degree roads. Pretty sure I can get it in the high 2's on the street with some practice.

Moral of the story, put a fuel system in it and get it on a mix of E85. It will help them stock pistons live. You are running that thing on edge with the stock fuel system on 93 at that power imo.

[Hilltopper]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

You will need a LPE big bore to run full e85 with a stock cam.

I semi agree with the above. The stock cam fuel lobe is going to need to be addressed, and I am not sure even the LPE big bore would get it there with the stock fuel lobe. You are definitely getting to the point where you should be addressing both the cam and pistons/rings/ring gaps.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by Hilltopper

I semi agree with the above. The stock cam fuel lobe is going to need to be addressed, and I am not sure even the LPE big bore would get it there with the stock fuel lobe. You are definitely getting to the point where you should be addressing both the cam and pistons/rings/ring gaps.

I am not sure what points you don't agree with but 700whp has been done with the stock cam using meth. On just E85 680whp is the highest I have seen. Power isn't what I would go by for a limitation on what the stock pistons can handle anyway. Boost PSI is what should be considered. I see no issues running a SBE LT1 @ 10-11 psi with meth or E85 or both. E85 and meth do a great job at removing heat from the cylinder and will help keep the rings from butting. That is why most failures have been on 93 with boosted SBE LT1's. Either way pistons and cam is a good route to go for sure. I most likely will at some point.

[Drsagacity]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

I am not sure what points you don't agree with but 700whp has been done with the stock cam using meth. On just E85 680whp is the highest I have seen. Power isn't what I would go by for a limitation on what the stock pistons can handle anyway. Boost PSI is what should be considered. I see no issues running a SBE LT1 @ 10-11 psi with meth or E85 or both. E85 and meth do a great job at removing heat from the cylinder and will help keep the rings from butting. That is why most failures have been on 93 with boosted SBE LT1's. Either way pistons and cam is a good route to go for sure. I most likely will at some point.

Maybe it's because he doesn't like using alky injection to make uo for a deficient fuel system? Sure you can run 700whp on sbe with alky. Or you could add a cam and simply use the oem fuel system...with no alky.

Either way works. Personally, I am a fan of cam and no alky...straight pump and all is right in the world. Only takes about 8psi to run 700whp (with a8)...

Either way works...probably a personal preference.

[Hilltopper]

Originally Posted by Drsagacity

Maybe it's because he doesn't like using alky injection to make uo for a deficient fuel system? Sure you can run 700whp on sbe with alky. Or you could add a cam and simply use the oem fuel system...with no alky.

Either way works. Personally, I am a fan of cam and no alky...straight pump and all is right in the world. Only takes about 8psi to run 700whp (with a8)...

Either way works...probably a personal preference.

Exactly!! I should have been more specific. I was referring to a "no meth" setup. You can do a whole lot more by throwing meth at it, but I am not a fan of that approach. It'll work, though.......