C5 bottom end strength?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena CA
C5 bottom end strength?
How durable is a C5's bottom end? I will likely purchase one very soon and plan on running 4-6 psi boost via a centrifical blower. Of course it will easilly handle that, particularly with a good tune. I am just curious about the overall durability of:
* pistons (forged or cast?)
* rods
* rod bearings
* pistons (forged or cast?)
* rods
* rod bearings
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 25
From: Insert Wittty Comment here
Re: C5 bottom end strength? (Buckmaster)
The weakest link in the ls1 is the rod bolts. They will be the first to let go. But, I wouldn't worry unless you get over about 525HP. For instance if you ran a H/C car with gas, I think I would put bolts in. The rods and crank are good to at least 600. The pistons are hypereutetic, so if you go for bigger boost numbers, I would look at a forged replacement. If you plan is a low boost app, the stock internals should be more than fine.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 741
Likes: 9
From: Rancho Cordova CA
Re: C5 bottom end strength? (J-Rod)
#7 piston has been one weak point when adding power. I broke the piston land. I was running 8 lbs boost. When we took the engine apart the crank bearing areas were very scored. Most likely the 150 HP NX I ran for a year, then the boost threw it over. I will now have forget pistons, billet rods, reworked crank etc. Good luck and have fun, if you push hard save couple of bucks to fix it. :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: paradise valley az. us
Re: C5 bottom end strength? (Austrian Vette)
The rod bolts and pushrods are weak,however following in Jonn L's footsteps(a speedy recovery) we leave the pushrods stock in order to offer a weak link,if something where to happen to a pushrod bent is what you want.The Rod bolts and the entire bottom end except the crank can use forged pieces to replace castings.
There are many kits available and we usually use Lunnatti a real strong 382 kit with lots of strength and power.You can go with J.E or Lunnati or any well known piston co.If you massage the bottom end give it sweet parts and with good pistons it will last through many miles of Street/strip abuse Dave S.If money isnt an object lunnati and many others make great cranks as well,some come with warrantty.I'm not sure which but if you give Mike our engineer a call he would be happy to help.Dave
There are many kits available and we usually use Lunnatti a real strong 382 kit with lots of strength and power.You can go with J.E or Lunnati or any well known piston co.If you massage the bottom end give it sweet parts and with good pistons it will last through many miles of Street/strip abuse Dave S.If money isnt an object lunnati and many others make great cranks as well,some come with warrantty.I'm not sure which but if you give Mike our engineer a call he would be happy to help.Dave
