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I am looking for opinions on my upcoming plan to build my LT1. Since the LT1 has been out for a while, there are many different options for drop-in-pistons to beef up the LT1. I know the crank in the LT1s is good to go, and the limiting factor is the piston/piston ring gaps when it comes to boosting. I aim to over-build my engine so I don't have to worry about touching the capable power limits, which is probably around 800whp. My current setup is below.
A&A TI Supercharger
MSD Intake Manifold
Kook Head 1 7/8 with off-road x-pipe
Katech MSD TB
MM Catch Can
LT4 Fueling (Injector/Pump)
Alky Meth Kit (Not Installed)
So at this point, I am ready to turn the car up, and I plan to do drop-in-pistons along with a cam kit (possibly BTR Stage 3 Supercharger Cam or Pray Performance "Your Daddy") still doing some research. I am also throwing the idea around upgrading to the LPE fuel pump and XDI 30%, along with upgrading the low-side fuel system. I am guessing this will get me around the 800whp range; not shooting for a specific number, just thinking that should be the power range. My main goal is for the car to be reliable and still enjoyable. How many people forged their engines using the drop-in-piston route and are still happy with their setup? I am on the fence about going that route because I know it is cheaper, but I have also given the idea of having LME build me a short block for boosted applications. Any recommendations are welcome.
Side Note: I have no E near me, so the car will be tuned on 92-octane unless E becomes available here on the island of Oahu.
My mod list is as follows. My numbers are without Meth too. Didn’t want to deal with it to be honest. I run E50-E55 for the most part but my car still makes 760rwhp on pump gas on only 10psi or so.
D1X Procharger
CP/Carillo drop in pistons and rods
231/242 .6xx 116lsa cam
Custom low side fuel system ($2500) with flex fuel sensor
LT4 HPFP and Injectors
American Racing 2” headers
The shop that built it has several cars over 1000whp with these pistons and rods and a few over 1100 with no issues.
You will definitely need a low side fuel system regardless unless you plan relying on Meth for fueling. I was not willing to risk my built motor over a $200 pump failing.
My mod list is as follows. My numbers are without Meth too. I didn’t want to deal with it to be honest. I run E50-E55 for the most part but my car still makes 760rwhp on pump gas on only 10psi or so.
D1X Procharger
CP/Carillo drop in pistons and rods
231/242 .6xx 116lsa cam
Custom low side fuel system ($2500) with flex fuel sensor
LT4 HPFP and Injectors
American Racing 2” headers
The shop that built it has several cars over 1000whp with these pistons and rods and a few over 1100 with no issues.
You will definitely need a low side fuel system regardless unless you plan relying on Meth for fueling. I was not willing to risk my built motor over a $200 pump failing.
Big Reg
Thanks for the response. I have heard good things about the Carillo drop-ins. Aren’t they rated pretty high HP-wise? Definitely looking at a good low-side fuel system for sure. I am on the fence, too, about just depending on meth. I would want to use it for cooling purposes. It seems like we will have the same setup. How does she drive just cruising around?
Last edited by Chazzmania; Feb 10, 2023 at 10:44 AM.
Thanks for the response. I have heard good things about the Carillo drop-ins. Aren’t they rated pretty high HP-wise? Definitely looking at a good low-side fuel system for sure. I am on the fence, too, about just depending on meth. I would want to use it for cooling purposes. It seems like we will have the same setup. How does she drive just cruising around?
It drives great to me. I have had several bigger cams in NA cars over the years, all with tighter lobe separation angles (110-112). It is not a daily driver but I could if I wanted too.
In regards to the Carrilos, they are rated to 1200hp and I would not be afraid to push the car further. 800whp is plenty for a street car though that stays on street tires strictly.
It drives great to me. I have had several bigger cams in NA cars over the years, all with tighter lobe separation angles (110-112). It is not a daily driver but I could if I wanted too.
In regards to the Carrilos, they are rated to 1200hp and I would not be afraid to push the car further. 800whp is plenty for a street car though that stays on street tires strictly.
Totally agree my buddy is pushing around 850whp right now and fighting some traction issues now on R888S. Do you know who sells the Carrilos? I did a quick search but didn't see their package deal pop up.
Have you ever heard of these folks https://www.modernmusclextreme.com/p...px#productTab1
Totally agree my buddy is pushing around 850whp right now and fighting some traction issues now on R888S. Do you know who sells the Carrilos? I did a quick search but didn't see their package deal pop up.
Have you ever heard of these folks https://www.modernmusclextreme.com/p...px#productTab1
The crazy part is 2yrs ago almost to the day I got these installed for $2500 while the engine was out getting a cam installed as well. That was for both parts and labor.
The crazy part is 2yrs ago almost to the day I got these installed for $2500 while the engine was out getting a cam installed as well. That was for both parts and labor.
Wow yea they got expensive for sure. How do you guys feel about the whole no balance thing? I have heard you should balance no matter what just for pre-caution measures. I would hate to spend the dollars and end up ruining an engine because I didn’t balance. Is it really necessary with the drop-ins?
We have the same set up except currenty. I have the Low Side Aux pump and Meth. I am going with the CP Pistons, Callies Ultra Rods, and I did get a great deal on the Manley Crank. I am going to a 418 ci bore, as well as the 30% Injectors and Big Bore Pump. I had a custom cam done by Pat G Tuning. I plan on keeping it very streetable, so I didn't want to go big on the lope. The Torque Converter is a must, I am going with Circle D 2800 to 3200 Stall. You will also need to address that with a stage 3 cam. I have heard nothing but good things on the GPI Drop in kit.
On pump gas you should be good with the LT4 set up with Aux pump. My friend hit 845rwhp on 91 Octane and the LT4/AuxPump etc.
We have the same set up except currenty. I have the Low Side Aux pump and Meth. I am going with the CP Pistons, Callies Ultra Rods, and I did get a great deal on the Manley Crank. I am going to a 418 ci bore, as well as the 30% Injectors and Big Bore Pump. I had a custom cam done by Pat G Tuning. I plan on keeping it very streetable, so I didn't want to go big on the lope. The Torque Converter is a must, I am going with Circle D 2800 to 3200 Stall. You will also need to address that with a stage 3 cam. I have heard nothing but good things on the GPI Drop in kit.
On pump gas you should be good with the LT4 set up with Aux pump. My friend hit 845rwhp on 91 Octane and the LT4/AuxPump etc.
MeanRay1, thanks for responding. I have been going back and forth between the CP Pistons and the GPI Drop-Ins. It sounds like you are going to have a monster. So you are going to bore out your block to a 418. I hope to dip into the eight range if I do the drop-ins with all the supporting fuel mods. We currently have 92 with no E out here on the island. I currently have a 3200 still right now sitting in the garage. I am also considering having a custom cam cut with BRC Raceworks to ensure it will work with my setup. I have heard great things about Pat G.
Very Familiar with BRC. Can't go wrong with a Custom Cam Grind. You will definietly hit the 8's with the forged pistons and fuel mods etc. Since I am not tracking the car much these day, I want to go with a very streetable, low end torque set with the Centri Supercharger. It will for sure exceed the 8's but that isn't most important to me. Here in SoCal I do more crusing than high speed etc. So I want a set uop I can drive from light to light without a huge stall and high RPM requirements and still runn 100% E-85. I want it all lol!
Very Familiar with BRC. Can't go wrong with a Custom Cam Grind. You will definietly hit the 8's with the forged pistons and fuel mods etc. Since I am not tracking the car much these day, I want to go with a very streetable, low end torque set with the Centri Supercharger. It will for sure exceed the 8's but that isn't most important to me. Here in SoCal I do more crusing than high speed etc. So I want a set uop I can drive from light to light without a huge stall and high RPM requirements and still runn 100% E-85. I want it all lol!
MeanRay1
You sound like me brother. I don't really care if I hit 8s. I just want the care to run good and have enough power when I want to play. Most of the times I go out with the boys and cruise sometimes and we play around, but we don't have a lot of roads here that we can actually stretch out legs. Are you playing to run dual nozzle setup for meth? Keep me posted on the building and I will keep you update on mine as well. Can't wait to see how your monster turns out.
I hear you! I currently have the Snow Performance Single nozzle. Throttle Body Spacer injection. Absoluetly love it. Notice the pic, right after the Throttle Body. Not sure if I will keep Meth, depends on the Tuner's advice.
I hear you! I currently have the Snow Performance Single nozzle. Throttle Body Spacer injection. Absoluetly love it. Notice the pic, right after the Throttle Body. Not sure if I will keep Meth, depends on the Tuner's advice.
Nice I like the throttle body spacer setup looks clean. Might see if I can use this with the Alky Kit.
Building LT1 Limits
