How much boost?

Rouseman · 03-16-2011, 10:13 PM

Hey all. How much boost realistically do you think our engines (la1) can handle stock? I just did a tear down to the block and rebuilt the engine top end. 69003 miles on it.

sleepyalero · 03-16-2011, 10:25 PM

4-5 lbs that's about it.. any more then 5 im sure you'll blow it.

Gr1m · 03-16-2011, 10:59 PM

im sure you can get it between 10-15 without any real problems if it is new internals. i think BJ had it around 15psi and the only thing that gave out was the tranny.

[ion] C2 · 03-16-2011, 10:59 PM

700 psi. When will people learn it's not solely about pressure, it's about power output.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gr1m

im sure you can get it between 10-15 without any real problems if it is new internals. i think BJ had it around 15psi and the only thing that gave out was the tranny.

Besides the whole broken piston.

Also good job building your engine with stock components, doesn't really count for anything..

Redog · 03-16-2011, 11:24 PM

10 on stock internals

Most people run 6 to 8 on stock LA1 motors

Rouseman · 03-16-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

700 psi. When will people learn it's not solely about pressure, it's about power output.

Besides the whole broken piston.

Also good job building your engine with stock components, doesn't really count for anything..

Wow dam dude, didn't mean to offend you. It was just a question. Let me be clear my head gasket was leaking so i tore it down, went over everything/cleaned everything, and rebuilt it with new gaskets. I did not mean to imply that i "built" my engine with stock components. The reason i even mentioned the rebuild was so that people giving responses could take into account that all the gaskets are new. I appreciate all the advice i get from this forum and i try to give advice when i can help, but it seems like whenever anyone hints at trying something different around here, they get shot down and picked apart before any advice is considered.

kwhauck · 03-16-2011, 11:41 PM

It's all about the tune, if you have a good tune, you can do 10-15psi no problem. I ran 12-13psi for two years with no problem, then I had a bad tune, and the motor went south....

Lucalare · 03-16-2011, 11:44 PM

Before putting in a snail I'd do heads and a cam, it's going to end up being cheaper, you'll have more room in the engine bay than with a turbo, and you'll probably get pretty close to the same results.

Rouseman · 03-16-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucalare

Before putting in a snail I'd do heads and a cam, it's going to end up being cheaper, you'll have more room in the engine bay than with a turbo, and you'll probably get pretty close to the same results.

i was thinking about a cam actually, is the only way to do it to pull the motor? i heard somewhere that you can pull it out if you take apart the passenger side interior?

kwhauck · 03-16-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucalare

and you'll probably get pretty close to the same results.

your ignorance makes me laugh.......

Lucalare · 03-17-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rouseman

i was thinking about a cam actually, is the only way to do it to pull the motor? i heard somewhere that you can pull it out if you take apart the passenger side interior?

I'm thinking you'll have to lift the motor, because I think even if you take off the passenger side fender part of the unibody will be in the way, but maybe someone who's done it can chime in and prove me wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhauck

your ignorance makes me laugh.......

With the right set up heads and a cam can give a significant boost to power. Maybe not quite as much as a turbo will, but it's a much easier and cheaper change to make, you probably won't need a tune, you don't have to build a custom exhaust manifold, you don't have to run a bunch of intercooler piping that there is NO room for. Also if you already have different heads it would be easier to add a turbo on top of that if you decide to do so later, you would just have to beef up the bottom end and probably get a different cam again.

Ttop191 · 03-17-2011, 12:30 AM

^ not need a tune after a cam? what the hell are you smoking?

Lucalare · 03-17-2011, 01:38 AM

I don't know much about cams, I've never done one or researched them much except on older style engines, but I know a good cam can make a big difference. I do know that with a turbo you for sure need a tune though.

sleepyalero · 03-17-2011, 01:40 AM

you need a tune with a cam too, most people put a cam in and dont tune it, which results to the car almost dying and sometimes it does die and or the car wont run at its best.

Ttop191 · 03-17-2011, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucalare

I don't know much about cams, I've never done one or researched them much except on older style engines, but I know a good cam can make a big difference. I do know that with a turbo you for sure need a tune though.

Then you need to be doing your research before you try giving performance advice

kwhauck · 03-17-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucalare

1. With the right set up heads and a cam can give a significant boost to power.

2 . Maybe not quite as much as a turbo will, but it's a much easier and cheaper change to make,

3. You probably won't need a tune,

4. You don't have to build a custom exhaust manifold, you don't have to run a bunch of intercooler piping that there is NO room for.

5. Also if you already have different heads it would be easier to add a turbo on top of that if you decide to do so later, you would just have to beef up the bottom end and probably get a different cam again.

1. Yes, I agree, a great set of heads is what makes an engine....

2. No, I disagree, heads, cam, tune, and everything is gonna come close to what a turbo setup would cost. I would probably say you could build the turbo setup cheaper if you shopped around.

Look here and you will see that a good build for heads and cam can add up quick.

3. No, I disagree, you definately need a tune. Even an alero with a CAI and exhaust can benefit greatly from a tune.

4. No, I disagree, there is room for intercooler pipes. I think several members have demonstrated that already.

5. Yes, I agree, for the most part. If you plan on adding a turbo later FOR SURE, then you can choose suitable heads and cam so you don't waste money on two different sets. You won't make as much power because they won't be the optimal heads, however you will still make ok power, and once you get the turbo in, they whole setup will really shine then.

[ion] C2 · 03-17-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rouseman

Wow dam dude, didn't mean to offend you.

You're the only one who was offended. Hearing the same silly "how much boost can I run" question incessantly over the years takes its toll on you and eventually your responses become more firm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rouseman

I did not mean to imply that i "built" my engine with stock components. The reason i even mentioned the rebuild was so that people giving responses could take into account that all the gaskets are new.

Not worth mentioning, unless you replaced your head gasket with a metal one such as provided by Cometic, along with ARP head studs. I went through 2 standard composite style head gaskets before using a multi-layer steel gasket and head studs that you can torque significantly more than simple torque-to-yield head bolts. Should've asked the advice before tearing it down so you could've used such a gasket and hardware..

Rouseman · 03-17-2011, 09:56 AM

Dam. i didn't know you could get such gaskets. I know when i was at auto zone there were two choices, felpro and felpro "severe duty". i sprung for the severe duty set.

kwhauck · 03-17-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rouseman

Dam. i didn't know you could get such gaskets. I know when i was at auto zone there were two choices, felpro and felpro "severe duty". i sprung for the severe duty set.

And you honestly though they had every option available.

Rouseman · 03-18-2011, 09:12 AM

No, i know better then that lol.