LT1 Supercharger Problems!!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 594
Likes: 48
From: Alexander City, AL
LT1 Supercharger Problems!!!!
I am new to superchargers and have read a bunch about how the LT1 is not the best platform to supercharge. Issues relating to the high compression ratio, piston ring tolerance, fuel starvation, etc, have me discouraged in adding a centrifigal or roots supercharger. So the question is........Has anyone actually experienced a supercharger FAILURE on an LT1 supercharger that is tuned correctly with 7# of boost? I am SO MUCH on the fence. Some installers say the injectors and fuel pump need to be upgraded to Z06 and some do not. Would it be cheaper and safer to just save for a Z06??
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 866
exactly. I’m about 625 rwhp at 8-9 psi with meth stock lt1 fuel system. 10k of running her pretty good. Adding lt4 fuel system and E85,gonna be in the 675 range. With the added fuel and Dsx lowside hoping it’ll hang in there for another 10k.lots of people at that level no issues. At 600 she’ll live a long time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 769
Likes: 88
From: Ewa Beach Hawaii
exactly. I’m about 625 rwhp at 8-9 psi with meth stock lt1 fuel system. 10k of running her pretty good. Adding lt4 fuel system and E85,gonna be in the 675 range. With the added fuel and Dsx lowside hoping it’ll hang in there for another 10k.lots of people at that level no issues. At 600 she’ll live a long time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
ttt
exactly. I’m about 625 rwhp at 8-9 psi with meth stock lt1 fuel system. 10k of running her pretty good. Adding lt4 fuel system and E85,gonna be in the 675 range. With the added fuel and Dsx lowside hoping it’ll hang in there for another 10k.lots of people at that level no issues. At 600 she’ll live a long time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
I worked for Magnuson for 3 years plus I ran both a 2300 and 2650 on the Lt1 16 Camaro. I had over 180 passes and 12,000 miles on my 2300 with out a failure at 10 to12 lbs of boost but got greedy and kept pushing the boost up to about 17 lbs on race fuel and teeth rotting meth. . More hp is addictive and going faster comes with that. So 7 lbs is a breeze tuned properly and being a technical advisor for Magnuson I never heard of anyone having an engine failure at 7 lbs of boost and you still stay safe on your stock Lt1 fuel system. I decided on my C7 I'd stay NA so that is a great option also and relatively cheap compared to going with any blower. I doubt it will be cheaper to wait for a Z06, they are bringing big money right now.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 73
From: Idaho
When you guys say you have no issues, if you only use the power once in a while for short bursts you may be fine
I doubt a supercharged LT1 would handle happily roadcourse usage with 20-30min session of heavy use....
I doubt a supercharged LT1 would handle happily roadcourse usage with 20-30min session of heavy use....
Dig
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 1,136
From: Port Saint Lucie FLORIDA & HONDURAS
My car is at 42,000 miles A8, Procharged it around 9,000 miles from 535rwhp to mid 600’s over the past few years. It is run hard 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile back to back to back racing, a lot of hot Florida street action as well. The car used to get pretty hot (235 + degrees) on back to back pulls on the street. Still have stock Stingray radiator but have 170 temp stat. Better now. My car has 100’s of 1/4 mile races since supercharged
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 73
From: Idaho
My car is at 42,000 miles A8, Procharged it around 9,000 miles from 535rwhp to mid 600’s over the past few years. It is run hard 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile back to back to back racing, a lot of hot Florida street action as well. The car used to get pretty hot (235 + degrees) on back to back pulls on the street. Still have stock Stingray radiator but have 170 temp stat. Better now. My car has 100’s of 1/4 mile races since supercharged
I think a supercharged LT1 is okay for Street racing and 1/4 or 1/2 miles races yes...
But better go on a LT4 or a fully built LT1 for Roadcourse IMO.
Advanced
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 7
I also have had no issues but I do have the entire Z06 fuel system. I’ve got stock LT4 blower and I’m at 5-6 Lbs with 547/567. No 1/4 mile runs nor road course runs just street fun but still, 6k on this set up so far and no complaints or issues. As everyone has stated it depends on what your goals are. It’s addicting.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 31,294
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From: San Jose CA
St. Jude Donor '11
LT1 is very reliable as long as you have a conservative and reliable tune
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Usually the biggest issue which I had myself is too much boost and not enough crank case ventilation. I broke two ring lands on my stock Lt1 for those two reasons, its just the chance you take trying to run 16 lbs of boost on a stock short block. Life in the Fast Lane.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 267
Likes: 102
From: Prosper, TX
I worked for Magnuson for 3 years plus I ran both a 2300 and 2650 on the Lt1 16 Camaro. I had over 180 passes and 12,000 miles on my 2300 with out a failure at 10 to12 lbs of boost but got greedy and kept pushing the boost up to about 17 lbs on race fuel and teeth rotting meth. . More hp is addictive and going faster comes with that. So 7 lbs is a breeze tuned properly and being a technical advisor for Magnuson I never heard of anyone having an engine failure at 7 lbs of boost and you still stay safe on your stock Lt1 fuel system.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Thinking back on the 2300 with 10-12 lbs of boost we were probably 720s, with 16 lbs we were up in the 770s or higher and went 10.00 on the stock short block. That's been a while back so don't remember the exact numbers. I do remember when we built the short block and did BTR cam we were 780 or so on 13-14 lbs and ran 9.80s. Switched to the 2650 Maggie and initially made about 850 plus on 14 lbs and did some more tuning and were making 870 or so and ran 9.41@147. That car went thru a lot of hp changes over the 4 years I owned it. We tested about every pulley Magnuson made. Ran thru lots of VP Ms 109 race fuel over 250 runs down the track over those 4 years.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 267
Likes: 102
From: Prosper, TX
Thinking back on the 2300 with 10-12 lbs of boost we were probably 720s, with 16 lbs we were up in the 770s or higher and went 10.00 on the stock short block. That's been a while back so don't remember the exact numbers. I do remember when we built the short block and did BTR cam we were 780 or so on 13-14 lbs and ran 9.80s. Switched to the 2650 Maggie and initially made about 850 plus on 14 lbs and did some more tuning and were making 870 or so and ran 9.41@147. That car went thru a lot of hp changes over the 4 years I owned it. We tested about every pulley Magnuson made. Ran thru lots of VP Ms 109 race fuel over 250 runs down the track over those 4 years.