Not sure which route to take on the engine?

[buschman]

Hey Guys I was hoping to get a little advice from you guys. My ultimate plan is a fully built engine to be done on the side. But for now I want to know what I can do with my LS1. I've got an SMC kit on the way and plan up upping the boost to 12 psi at the stock 6200 rev limit. Now I don't want to pour too much money into this engine as I'm going to pull it eventually for a completely different setup. But I was thinking about getting in on the L-19 head stud GP and getting a thicker head gasket to lower my compression. Maybe around 9.5:1. How much are MLS or Cometic head gaskets? I've heard conflicting reports on whether this is an effective method of lower compression. I doubt i will ever touch the bottom end of this engine. However later in the season I might do a cam, upgrade the valvetrain, and get rid of my LS1 intake for something better. Saving for a house and a new engine I don't want to invest in forged bottom end or heads. Too much wasted money.

I don't know a lot about working the internals for a boosted engine. Would really appreciate any advice you guys might have.

Thanks,
Mike

[MIGHTYMOUSE]

that is the wrong thing to do. the gasket is more likely to blow out than the aluminum around it so a thicker one would make it even weaker.

if you want to drop the compression score a stock set of 6.0 heads and take that opportunity to throw in a normal set of studs, not those $$$ studs, and a fresh set of gaskets like cometic.

if you dont want to do forged pistons then go for the alchy kit.. . we have seen it literally do magic on other set ups ;)

a cam will only get you sound at a couple hp at most with your current combo.

[buschman]

Originally posted by MIGHTYMOUSE
that is the wrong thing to do. the gasket is more likely to blow out than the aluminum around it so a thicker one would make it even weaker.

if you want to drop the compression score a stock set of 6.0 heads and take that opportunity to throw in a normal set of studs, not those $$$ studs, and a fresh set of gaskets like cometic.

if you dont want to do forged pistons then go for the alchy kit.. . we have seen it literally do magic on other set ups ;)

a cam will only get you sound at a couple hp at most with your current combo.

But how much do stock 6.0L heads cost? Sounds like wasted money. Although I could sell them at a later date. But you know I'm tryin to save up and it's not easy when you are dropping $600 here, $450 there. You know how it is.

So you think the high $ studs are not needed? For any engine, or just for the level that I'm at?

I'm just thinking that the benefits of a thicker head gasket will reduce the strain more than the weak link it's creating. Know what I mean by that?

Mike

[Warbird]

Buschman,

MM is right. Here is an approach you can try

Most vendors toss the stock pistons, if you have one around your area, you can probably get a set for almost nothing.

When I need some stock part here and there I scrounge around my vendor and usually can find it, since they don't reuse those parts it usually in the garbage or in my hands :D

[buschman]

Originally posted by Warbird
Buschman,

MM is right. Here is an approach you can try

Most vendors toss the stock pistons, if you have one around your area, you can probably get a set for almost nothing.

When I need some stock part here and there I scrounge around my vendor and usually can find it, since they don't reuse those parts it usually in the garbage or in my hands :D

I can get stock pistons? Not sure I'm following you... What good would stock pistons do me?

Mike

[soslow99ta]

Originally posted by buschman
Hey Guys I was hoping to get a little advice from you guys. My ultimate plan is a fully built engine to be done on the side. But for now I want to know what I can do with my LS1. I've got an SMC kit on the way and plan up upping the boost to 12 psi at the stock 6200 rev limit. Now I don't want to pour too much money into this engine as I'm going to pull it eventually for a completely different setup. But I was thinking about getting in on the L-19 head stud GP and getting a thicker head gasket to lower my compression. Maybe around 9.5:1. How much are MLS or Cometic head gaskets? I've heard conflicting reports on whether this is an effective method of lower compression. I doubt i will ever touch the bottom end of this engine. However later in the season I might do a cam, upgrade the valvetrain, and get rid of my LS1 intake for something better. Saving for a house and a new engine I don't want to invest in forged bottom end or heads. Too much wasted money.

I don't know a lot about working the internals for a boosted engine. Would really appreciate any advice you guys might have.

Thanks,
Mike

I thought the same thing about the forged bottom end, 1 engine replacement and 1 rebuild later I changed my mind :p

a good shop won't charge you too much for forged pistons and rods, machine work etc. You're probably looking at ~3500 + the downtime. imho it's well worth the price. 12 psi on stock pistons is russian roulette, you will blow something up :p
You could even just buy a whole new assembled short block with forged pistons for a little more and have a good working engine to play with if it breaks.

I think you need to talk to Jason at FBC, he'll hook you up :)

the gasket idea is definitely a no-no though :o
not intended as a flame at all, just some friendly advice: if you don't want to pour too much money into your engine stop right where you are and stick with bolt-ons, seriously when you add that much power to the engine you have to upgrade everything. I don't even want to go into how much I've invested in my car. Suffice to say if I could get all the $$ back, I could go out and pay cash for a 2004 z06 and still have $$ for insurance for a year. :(

Warbird- not sure what you're talking about with those stock pistons either. they definitely arent worth the effort of replacing a busted one. Unless you mean you take them off their hands and recycle them (you can get about 25 cents per piston at a scrap metal place) :)

[buschman]

My engine has held together surprisingly well. I have a very safe tune on it and I'm happy with that. Downtime isn't an issue as this is a weekend warrior car. I'm not so worried about busting the engine as my plans go way beyound a 346. So it's all a matter of timing, you know? If there was a way to get 6.0L heads at a reasonable price, say <$500(with no core) I'd probably do it just to make sure my car's compression ratio would prevent me from running too far on the edge. I really want to show the LS1 can handle boost, even with stock internals.

What would stock 6.0L heads take my compression to?

Warbird, if you have a secret method of getting 6.0L heads cheap, hook a brother up :)

Mike