archemedes

if your going after high hp numbers start at the bottom it sucks to get a car done and have a major failure because of being cheap on one item

red9450

Would you ask that question to those guys who constructed the bridge in Minnesota??? LOL

paarman97maro

I was actually thinking about that as I was typing it haha.. And that is possibly one of the reasons it failed.

So, a perfect cause and effect for you.

D-MaN

108Dragon

Again, I'm in total agreement with Archemedes. The stock LS1 lower end is touted to hold up to 500+ hp. not sure about the 3800. The problems with engine lower ends is twofold. First, the stress put to your reciprocating assembly increases geometrically to rpm turned. So if you expect to see rpms higher than 6000, better go with the forged crank, rods, and pistons. Second, the power curves on centrifugal blowers and turbos are higher on the upper rpm spectrum (as opposed to roots or screw type blowers). Boost comes in delayed, but tends to hit like a blast of nitrous. Especially on higher boost setups. So that makes it doubly imperitive to strengthen (and more critically, precision balance) the lower end. Engine assemblies are design built to withstand the power put to them throughout the entire power curve. That is part of thier design criteria from both a metalurgical and structural standpoint. Anytime you significantly change the power curve, you should seriously consider building your lower end accordingly. Just cheap -er long term insurance.
At 15+ lbs of boost, preignition or detonation is likely to become a problem on a stock lower end -especially at high altitudes. Intercooling helps. But lowering overall compression with purpose built forged pistons is a more cost effective fix. Why do you think the stock Turbocharged Mitsubishi engines are only 8 or so comp ratio to begin with?
It boils down to the "candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long" concept. It'll hit hard, but you'll probably end up replacing parts on a regular basis. I.E. Keep a spare long block on hand. hahaha