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C7 LT1 Motor Limit?

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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 12:18 PM
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Default C7 LT1 Motor Limit?

I was looking into maybe buying a C7 7-speed manual vette. What is the current (safe) stock motor limit?

My goal was to make around 750-800whp on stock motor. Is that possible with it holding up? I would be running E85 and a pro-charger.
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 12:35 PM
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700 to 750 is about what most would say is the safe limit without doing forged pistons. Some have accomplished more, but I would say that's about the number. That's usually, cam, headers, blower at atleast 10psi, and meth injection. Recipe for about 700-750. Which is a sh!tload of power btw.
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
700 to 750 is about what most would say is the safe limit without doing forged pistons. Some have accomplished more, but I would say that's about the number. That's usually, cam, headers, blower at atleast 10psi, and meth injection. Recipe for about 700-750. Which is a sh!tload of power btw.
you are referring to whp correct?
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 5LEEPER
you are referring to whp correct?
Yessir. At the tire.
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
Yessir. At the tire.
Eh... Who needs meth? 😁
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by C7BB
Eh... Who needs meth? 😁


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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 01:51 PM
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At 700-750rwhp you are definitely pushing the limits with completely stock internals. I'm making 800rwhp right now and that required heads, cam, pistons, dual nozzle methanol, smaller pulley, bigger fuel pump and injectors etc. It's my understanding that the stock fuel system simply can't flow enough to effectively run e85 at high power. Somebody else with more knowledge on that perhaps can chime in there.
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 02:02 PM
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Yea you're not going to get to that kind of power with E85 and the stock fuel system. The low pressure side has to be upgraded as well as the high pressure side with a cam or LT4 setup (or both)

Good recipe:

headers
cam
blower at 10 psi
meth

700-750 to the tire and safe

Anything over I would be thinking a built short block and upgraded fuel system to not have to rely on the meth.

My $.02
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
Yea you're not going to get to that kind of power with E85 and the stock fuel system. The low pressure side has to be upgraded as well as the high pressure side with a cam or LT4 setup (or both)

Good recipe:

headers
cam
blower at 10 psi
meth

700-750 to the tire and safe

Anything over I would be thinking a built short block and upgraded fuel system to not have to rely on the meth.

My $.02
How much do you think that setup would run all said and done?
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 5LEEPER
How much do you think that setup would run all said and done?
Cost me about $12k all in all.
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 03:14 PM
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Depends on where you live? And don't think because it's cheap it's bad, or because it's expensive it's good... Do your homework, call some shops, ask around, you'll figure out who the good shops are.
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Old Aug 28, 2015 | 05:09 PM
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Just remember to do it right the first time, or you'll be re-doing it at a much higher cost. It's happened too many times here.

800whp on the stock engine has been done, but is far from recommended. Moving past 700whp is where you really need to be honest about logarithmic failure rates and move to forged parts and proper fueling setups (especially with E85).
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 07:02 AM
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I think I can be one of many that can say that I'v found the limits of the stock engine
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 09:50 AM
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I agree with the others if you are getting into the 700+ rwhp range I would definitely consider forging the motor. Better to be safe than sorry... as just because it will run for a while doesn't mean it wont be a ticking time bomb.
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
Yea you're not going to get to that kind of power with E85 and the stock fuel system. The low pressure side has to be upgraded as well as the high pressure side with a cam or LT4 setup (or both)

Good recipe:

headers
cam
blower at 10 psi
meth

700-750 to the tire and safe

Anything over I would be thinking a built short block and upgraded fuel system to not have to rely on the meth.

My $.02
at least with current testing and technology with the LT engines. That isn't to say in a few years we might be seeing more but that seems to be the general consensus right now.
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 5LEEPER
How much do you think that setup would run all said and done?
Under $10k at BER
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Cajun@BER
Under $10k at BER
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 08:05 PM
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Subscribed. Hmmmm..
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Cajun@BER
Under $10k at BER
That would be a deal of a lifetime. That power output with a vender that 100% backs up his parts and experience is a no brainier. Cajun has helped out many on this site to gain info and low cost products. C5, C6 and C7's.

Cajun has a quality company that simply wants IMO.., a relationship with the people. Street guys, racers, all of them and US. A great part of speaking with him via email or phone.... He will talk with you for... Let's say 30 minutes. For a simple purchase to make $4.35 USD.

God bless Americans.
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Old Aug 31, 2015 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
Cost me about $12k all in all.
Yup, mine was slightly cheaper but still in that range. For that I got 693 RWHP.

ECS Novi 1500 with restrictor plate removed
Single nozzle Alky Meth Injection (100% Meth)
ARH long tube headers and x pipe
ECS full dyno tune
Full install

I've been very happy with transformation. It feels totally stock when driven normally yet becomes a pure animal when you get into the throttle. The BOV makes it sound badazz but if you daily drive I suggest you try the quieter BOV as mine (Tial Q)is crazy loud. It scares women and children
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