After steadily improving my 2007 C6 in the safety, brakes and suspension department (seats/harnesses, Brembos, Pfadt coilovers, etc.), I am now about to venture off into the world of engine modifications.

After years of running Porsches, I am amazed at the power additions that can be done to the LS2 for relatively low prices. I'm looking primarily at a cam and heads swap, with some sort of better intake (FAST or the like). My question is this: what is he margin of safety with the stock hypereutectic pistons? The changes I am looking at promise pretty substantial power gains--100+ hp. Are the stock pistons up to the task?

The car is run at DE events, and I'm an instructor, so in addition to driving my own sessions of 25-30 minutes, I'm frequently giving rides to students. Further, both my kids drive the car, so on any given day, the car may run between 8 and 12 sessions, all without much of a break in between. Other than endurance racing, this is about the most severe beating I can imagine putting on a car.

If money were no object, I'd build up a bullet proof bottom end with forged pistons and Carillo rods, but, alas, money is a object.

So--can the stock pistons take this much abuse?
thanks

Terry

 

I can't give you any real "technical" advice. What I can say is that from what I gather on my forum knowledge piston abuse has a lot to due with compression ratios and heat build-up. I have seen plenty of people on this forum running edelbrock superchargers around 600 rwhp and having plenty of miles without issues.

Tracking a car would be much harder on it I am sure. For safety reasons I would think a cooling/ radiator/ thermostat / fan upgrade would help keep track temps down if you went that route, and possibly tuning to bring the fans on at full speed earlier or on a "switch" for track events. Either way my biggest concern even on a street car when adding a supercharger would be temp ranges. Maybe go for a low boost lower power application with plenty of cooling to back it up for decent power and longevity.

 

I kind of strayed on my advice above. The mods your considering may very well be easier on the pistons overall than a supercharger in the first place.

 

Might want to ask in the Roadracing Forum. I'm sure lots of folks there have the experience you seek:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...roadracing-23/

 

Good thought--I've cross posted.

Terry

 

OP: You will like the FAST 102 intake manifold, it is a great upgrade for the LS2. Here is a thread that I made - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...st-intake.html Add a good set of headers and you will be good to go. Also if you are going to install a cam, take a look at these two products. http://store.katechengines.com/bille...sioner-p2.aspx & http://store.katechengines.com/ati-s...ts-v-p230.aspx Good luck with your upgrades!

 

Thanks--those are impressive gains from just an intake. Does the FAST come with its own air filter system, or what system did you use?

 

No it does not, I am using the Callaway Honker - http://www.callawaycars.com/componen...inlet-systems/

 

Wow--you have all the goodies. Do you track the car?

Terry

 

No Sir, I just love to drive the back roads. I just turned 150,000 on my 07. These sre great cars for DD.