Safe rev limit on stock LS1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem CT
Safe rev limit on stock LS1
I have a stock 2000 with Blackwing, Hypertech and B&B Triflo.
How high can I safely set my rev limit. It is at 6300 now and has feels like it wants to go higher. What is the realistic limit?
Thanks
How high can I safely set my rev limit. It is at 6300 now and has feels like it wants to go higher. What is the realistic limit?
Thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,607
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
If you want to be safe, I would suggest to stick with the stock for now. But once you have upgraded the valvetrain, I think you can go as high as 6700rpm.
I have mine currently set at 6600rpm. :cheers:
I have mine currently set at 6600rpm. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
Do a search on old threads, this one has been beet to death. The last one I heard was that the engines from the line go into GM race versions and they are running them to 7K, who knows.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
JET JET, I hope you don't mind me juming in on your thread. I'm getting my car tuned tomorrow and am curious myself what RPM I should have them set the rev limiter at. So instead of starting another thread, I figured I'd jump in here. Hope you don't mind.
Mine has titanium retainers and am curious if that is enough to raise the rev limiter over stock? Or should I get new springs altogether? I'm thinking of going to 6500 RPM, would that be too much? On the dyno, the hp curve is still going up when it gets to the stock 6200 RPM setting.
Mine has titanium retainers and am curious if that is enough to raise the rev limiter over stock? Or should I get new springs altogether? I'm thinking of going to 6500 RPM, would that be too much? On the dyno, the hp curve is still going up when it gets to the stock 6200 RPM setting.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,607
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
It all depends on your budget. I would definitely get better springs, such as Compcam 918, the titanium retainers and harden pushrods. But then if you're going to open up the motor, you may as well do the heads and cam. :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
It is not worth the install labor just to be doing only just springs, retainers and pushrod. I recommend you to find a local tuner that offer a good cam package (that includeds pushrods, valvesprings and titanium retains) and while you in there, do the ASP pulley also.
I paid approximately $1450 for the cam package+pulley and the labor is included. I picked up ~37rwhp with these mods. :cheers:
It is not worth the install labor just to be doing only just springs, retainers and pushrod. I recommend you to find a local tuner that offer a good cam package (that includeds pushrods, valvesprings and titanium retains) and while you in there, do the ASP pulley also.
I paid approximately $1450 for the cam package+pulley and the labor is included. I picked up ~37rwhp with these mods. :cheers:
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,607
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (QuickSilver97)
Mine has titanium retainers and am curious if that is enough to raise the rev limiter over stock? Or should I get new springs altogether?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
Hib Halverson wrote an article on the LS-6 which addressed many issues, including the rev limiter and the question as to whether it can be safely bumped up. John Juriga, one of the chief engineers for the LS1/6, took the longevity/reliability approach in answering.
From Hib Halverson's "Relentless Pursuit of Power":
The LS6’s fuel cut-off is at 6600 rpm. Of course, the first question geargeek Corvetters are going to ask is, "What happens if I change the rev limit so I can run harder on the drag strip?" We asked Dr. John what keeps the LS6 from rev’ing to 6800 or so. "Fuel cut-off," he replied laughing. On a more serious note, he added, "With the current hardware, my recollection is the valves float about 6800-7000 rpm. The concern is all the other parts in the engine, not just the valve train. We can work on the valve train to get it to go that higher speed. Then we start being concerned about oil film-thickness in the rod bearings, rod bolt strength and piston temperatures. Even though we upgraded our piston, if we were to go with higher speed, we’d have to go with another improved piston as well as upgraded piston pins and I’m talking about forged pistons and floating pins. We’d also have to go with an improved strength rod.
A lot of the hot rodders reading this might trivialize GM Powertrain’s position and say, "Heck, what a bunch of wimps. Just put some bigger valves springs on, bigger injectors and change the rev limit. Considering that viewpoint, we asked Dr. John why the conservative approach. "You could run an LS1 or an LS6 to seven grand," Juriga answered, "and not immediately put a rod through the side of the block. What is a concern is how often and how long your run the engine like that. We have our durability goals that say we gotta be able to run these engines for 125,000 miles at a certain confidence level. If we had the engine running at those higher speeds, we’d have to validate the engine at the higher performance level for that period of time and that’s something we’re not ready to do right now."
The LS1 is certainly capable, though not so much as the LS6. IMH:) , the trade-off to bumping up the rev limiter is the eventuality of broken parts and diminished engine life.
:chevy
From Hib Halverson's "Relentless Pursuit of Power":
The LS6’s fuel cut-off is at 6600 rpm. Of course, the first question geargeek Corvetters are going to ask is, "What happens if I change the rev limit so I can run harder on the drag strip?" We asked Dr. John what keeps the LS6 from rev’ing to 6800 or so. "Fuel cut-off," he replied laughing. On a more serious note, he added, "With the current hardware, my recollection is the valves float about 6800-7000 rpm. The concern is all the other parts in the engine, not just the valve train. We can work on the valve train to get it to go that higher speed. Then we start being concerned about oil film-thickness in the rod bearings, rod bolt strength and piston temperatures. Even though we upgraded our piston, if we were to go with higher speed, we’d have to go with another improved piston as well as upgraded piston pins and I’m talking about forged pistons and floating pins. We’d also have to go with an improved strength rod.
A lot of the hot rodders reading this might trivialize GM Powertrain’s position and say, "Heck, what a bunch of wimps. Just put some bigger valves springs on, bigger injectors and change the rev limit. Considering that viewpoint, we asked Dr. John why the conservative approach. "You could run an LS1 or an LS6 to seven grand," Juriga answered, "and not immediately put a rod through the side of the block. What is a concern is how often and how long your run the engine like that. We have our durability goals that say we gotta be able to run these engines for 125,000 miles at a certain confidence level. If we had the engine running at those higher speeds, we’d have to validate the engine at the higher performance level for that period of time and that’s something we’re not ready to do right now."
The LS1 is certainly capable, though not so much as the LS6. IMH:) , the trade-off to bumping up the rev limiter is the eventuality of broken parts and diminished engine life.
:chevy
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Lynnfield MA
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Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
I have mine set fo 6400 and have hit it a couple of times... Others that I know have gone higher but I would rather be safe than sorry with the stock top-end :yesnod:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: PA
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (Smoke-N-Shot)
I have no idea why they only change the retainers. Kinda stupid if you ask me. Anyway, by the sounds of it, maybe I'll just stick with the stock setting. Better to be safe then sorry.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: San Antonio TX
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
I upped my rev limiter to 6400 on my 2000 Coupe and then went to the dyno. I had floating occuring - no power gains. MTI put the limiter back to stock so I didn't blow it up. I would recommend having the engine modified by a tuner if you want to up the rev limit. Otherwise you are just asking for engine trouble and your track gains are minimal.
0-60-IN-5
0-60-IN-5
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
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From: Gainesville VA
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (0-60-IN-5)
On my 02 the peak is 5700 it just drops from there for HP..... your not gaining anything in rasing unless you have a different cam that can use it.
:seeya
:seeya
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Kirtland Ohio
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (Ryan2002C5)
I set mine to 6200 just to avoid hitting the limiter but I shift at 5800 which is peak HP for my car. I am using the new G Tech Competition Pro which has the shift light indicator that starts signaling at 500 before red line and progessively increases in intensity until hitting the red line set on the meter . I set the meter for 5900 because I'm always a bit ahead of the approaching red line. Probably just worried about blowing the engine up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,033
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
I used my HPIII to adjust my rev limiter to 6300 rpm. Last night I hit it observed that there was so much more there. My Vert is a keeper so I have concerns about longevity without upgrading the valvetrain. But wow...the sound at that RPM with Magnaflows. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (JET-JET)
The stock LS1 springs suck. You will bend pushrods and mabey more with the crappy springs if you spin it towards 7000.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: A FEW CLICKS NORTH OF THE CANAL
Re: Safe rev limit on stock LS1 (Tuan Le)
If you want to be safe, I would suggest to stick with the stock for now. But once you have upgraded the valvetrain, I think you can go as high as 6700rpm.
I have mine currently set at 6600rpm. :cheers:
I have mine currently set at 6600rpm. :cheers:
I agree with Tuan Le
If you up grade the valve train I think the LS1 would handle 8's easy
Back in the 70's I had SB chevy's (327's) launching @ 8k and the bottom end would last all season ... now the valve springs and or heads was another story.... Definitely the weakest point.
What are the C5R's turning? or better yet the trans-am Corvette's turning?
I think some of the cutting edge engine builder's should know .
:cheers: :chevy
But I think the factory limiter setting should be maintained on stock motors no gains to be had by spinning it any faster. Check out the TQ ramp on stock motor dyno charts they peak way before they hit the limiter :yesnod:
[Modified by RHILL, 10:43 AM 8/3/2002]