C6 Forced Induction/Nitrous C6 Corvette Turbochargers, Superchargers, Pulley Upgrades, Intercoolers, Wet and Dry Nitrous Injection, Meth
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cracked LS7

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2017 | 07:01 PM
  #1  
viper8u2's Avatar
viper8u2
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake MN
Default Cracked LS7

Cracked my cylinder 3 wall about 3 weeks ago, finally getting over things and getting things rebuilt. Wasn't doing anything special when it gave out. In fact, I didn't even know anything was wrong until I went to leave and smoke came out of my exhaust. Thought it was probably a head gasket. Old build was stock LS7 bottom end, heads redone, A&A Vortech V3-TI, AR headers, Ron Davis Radiator, etc

The car put down 630 rwhp and 560tq with 7# of boost (was trying to run safe until I had a forged bottom)





Anyways, I have a new Concept Performance LSR block coming and debating on some things for the new build.

Just wondering what others are making for power with similar specs, it is a summer toy and I am not tracking it but do like some spirited runs. I am wondering what the max HP guys have been able to do with straight 91 pump gas. Thought about ethanol but like I said really looking for reliability (as much as I can get with a modded car) and no hassles with meth etc

what have you guys done for that balance? I would like to shoot for 800rwhp, but probably thinking I need to be running meth or e85 etc

DRM is doing a full forged blower motor now for me

Mike
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2017 | 07:06 PM
  #2  
Unreal's Avatar
Unreal
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
Default

You will need meth, or flex fuel/e85 for higher power. 91 just won't have the octane to safely do what you want. If you had meth on the old setup, it probably would be alive today.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2017 | 07:11 PM
  #3  
Patriot Six's Avatar
Patriot Six
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 222
From: Temecula, CA
Default

Yes, you will definitely need meth with 91 octane. I made 750whp on a Mustang Dyno with a forged LS7 (10:1 compression) with a V-3Ti and 3.4 pulley on 91 and meth. Car also had a mild blower cam and ARH headers.

Since then, I have installed the new A&A secondary drive with 8 rib. With the stock sized balancer and 3.47 pulley, I gained 2 lbs of boost. This time on 93 octane and meth, it made 837whp on a Dyno Jet.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2017 | 09:07 PM
  #4  
schpenxel's Avatar
schpenxel
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Default

Agree with previous posts.. more octane, more power, less broken stuff.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2017 | 11:13 AM
  #5  
BoostedC3's Avatar
BoostedC3
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 9
From: Springfield MO
Default

Can't go wrong with Ethanol! Make sure you test the station you get it from however and its not coming in at something like E50
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2017 | 11:14 AM
  #6  
schpenxel's Avatar
schpenxel
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Default

Test? Psst, get a flex fuel sensor setup and let the ECM deal with it.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2017 | 11:19 AM
  #7  
BoostedC3's Avatar
BoostedC3
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 9
From: Springfield MO
Default

Originally Posted by schpenxel
Test? Psst, get a flex fuel sensor setup and let the ECM deal with it.
You can defiantly do that and the ECM will keep you safe but with a lower octane the computer will pull power out. Regardless of flex fuel, lower the octane will result in lower power. My local station actually came in at like E90 last time we checked

My car will be going Ethanol very soon. Not to hijack but any preferred kit for flex fuel?
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2017 | 11:26 AM
  #8  
Unreal's Avatar
Unreal
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
Default

DSX kit, the original, best quality, support, and Dave rocks.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Jul 12, 2017 | 07:09 PM
  #9  
viper8u2's Avatar
viper8u2
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake MN
Default

thanks for the comments, this is new territory for me so I will need to discuss with my shop. so what meth kit are folks using these days if I go that route? Are you guys running meth and e85 conversions together?
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2017 | 07:18 PM
  #10  
Unreal's Avatar
Unreal
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
Default

Alky control

Yes plenty of people run meth and e85 together.

For 700-750rwhp, one or the other is more than enough. For 1000+ both can be helpful.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2017 | 04:13 PM
  #11  
neverstop's Avatar
neverstop
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 111
Default

meth is no brainer. imo should be the first mod after the blower for everyone
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2017 | 04:29 PM
  #12  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 144
From: Northern Ireland
Default

You can easily make good power on 91....just dont expect to do it with a high CR.

If using 91 is a necessity...then just build to suit.

If you can add octane/detonation suppression by other means then you can choose to use a higher CR.

Either way it's just about building the right package for your needs.
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2017 | 06:36 PM
  #13  
viper8u2's Avatar
viper8u2
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake MN
Default

well was down at the Street Machine Nationals all weekend and had a chance to talk to a lot of folks. Seems E85 Flex is the way to go. Going to look into that more. I need to figure out what to do for my fuel system, Not sure if the folks building my motor will be doing the e85 so they will probably be tuning to pump 91 then I will bring it to another shop that has the flex setup. Any recommendations on fuel system?
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2017 | 06:48 PM
  #14  
stevieturbo's Avatar
stevieturbo
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 144
From: Northern Ireland
Default

It would be pointless building a setup to specifically run 91...then run E85.

The two can allow vastly different end results, and take the initial build in very different directions.

ie, E85 will want a high CR...91 will definitely not.

if you're wanting to run a combination of both, then either you will need to know how much ethanol is in there, or whatever controls you are using will need to ensure you can never run too much boost etc when there is no ethanol in the fuel.
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2017 | 01:24 AM
  #15  
neverstop's Avatar
neverstop
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 111
Default

e85 is amazing stuff and vastly superior to 91 obviously and if you have it locally but seriously just 91 pump gas and a methanol kit can easily get you 800+ whp. I'm making 900whp with 91 and dual methanol and been very reliable with 9.75:1 compression. e85 makes the fuel systems pretty serious which can get very complex on these cars, if you're ok with making just 800whp near term I'd just go with simple alky control meth kit and run pump gas and a ECS or A&A external fuel system. e85 is great but not necessarily needed and a top notch FORE fuel system is expensive and seems like a lot of people take time to get them perfect or sacrifice reliability. e85 is better but imo not absolutely necessary and always something you can do later. the difference on my car between 680whp and 860whp was absurd so I bet you'll be happy with 800whp for a bit and can always go back and upgrade fuel system for e85 later and then just have both meth and e85. just my $0.02
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2017 | 09:48 PM
  #16  
viper8u2's Avatar
viper8u2
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake MN
Default

appreciate the input guys, made a few calls today and got a few opinions. to make more than 750-800 I would probably need to jump up to the YSI, that combined with everything else for flex/e85 is quite the jump in funds that I don't really have now. I will get the A&A external fuel system and it was recommended to me to go with the Jam Cam by Josh @ A&A and probably tune for pump 91 now until I can do the rest late
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2017 | 07:07 AM
  #17  
Unreal's Avatar
Unreal
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
Default

Anything past 800rwhp gets into a $40k+ build if you want to do it correctly.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Cracked LS7

Old Jul 18, 2017 | 09:44 AM
  #18  
neverstop's Avatar
neverstop
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 111
Default

Originally Posted by Unreal
Anything past 800rwhp gets into a $40k+ build if you want to do it correctly.
this is very true.

a meth kit is like a few hundred bucks and seems crazy to not put one on there at least given what you have into the build. the octane of 91 is just not good for these cars past 650whp imo. I would not feel good driving one of these cars past 650whp on pure 91 octane anyway. If you really go down that path i'd at least put a can of torco in each tank of gas.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2017 | 08:44 PM
  #19  
speedz06's Avatar
speedz06
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 50
From: East Strouds PA
Default

I want to warn you to check the block before buying a sleeve if you plan to fix that cylinder.
mine cracked #3 just like yours and looked like a small imperfection but once the liner was out we found the block cracked in the same spot. This can be avoided though.
Good luck with your new build.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2017 | 08:44 AM
  #20  
viper8u2's Avatar
viper8u2
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake MN
Default

Originally Posted by speedz06
I want to warn you to check the block before buying a sleeve if you plan to fix that cylinder.
mine cracked #3 just like yours and looked like a small imperfection but once the liner was out we found the block cracked in the same spot. This can be avoided though.
Good luck with your new build.
it went through the water jackets

Already have a new block, concept performance LSR

JE Pistons will be 9.5:1
Jam cam
Etc

Thanks for the feedback/info

Last edited by viper8u2; Jul 19, 2017 at 11:57 AM. Reason: fixed piston cr
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:57 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE