Safe boost level - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Greenhornet2 · 01-20-2020, 08:35 PM

I've read a few things and a lot of threads were old. I'm wondering if there's a generally accepted safe limit on boost levels. When are you in danger of lifting a head or pushing coolant on a SBE stock head bolts. I'm running 11 psi now. Doing my cam shortly and toying with the idea of pushing the boost to 14psi and adding meth injection. I did read belt slip seems to start being an issue around 14psi anyway. My fuel system will only support 700-750whp so i may not even need 14psi but just thinking out loud here. Could i safely push it to 14 if my fuel pressure holds up.

Rons1le · 01-20-2020, 08:38 PM

Ls tech and Corvette forums has several threads on this most of them stating 14 or less to be safe on boost without head studs or forged pistons and rods....

PS
Watch LS vs coyote on YouTube
On the engine stand LS handles 32 lb of boost before head bolt let's go..lol 1500+ hp 1300+ trq "stock" forged internals sorry..lol

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Greenhornet2 · 01-20-2020, 08:47 PM

That's insane. I've read some people pushing lots out of these stock. Don't think that would last very long!

Juiced1 · 01-20-2020, 09:41 PM

14 psi is pushing it. Keep in mind that adding a cam will lower you boost though. If you're running 11 psi now then adding a cam and dropping a pulley size will probably keep you right at 11 psi and add about 50hp or so. Add some meth to that and you're right at 700rwhp about as safely as you can. Now 700rwhp has been done before but it can let go on you at any time. A good safe tune is key.

Pro-tuned · 01-20-2020, 10:21 PM

Wouldn’t consider “14”, it’s asking for it! Running @ “15” but it’s all forged LQ9 3.25 Whipple no reservations...

eLeSthree · 01-21-2020, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rons1le

Ls tech and Corvette forums has several threads on this most of them stating 14 or less to be safe on boost without head studs or forged pistons and rods....

PS
Watch LS vs coyote on YouTube
On the engine stand LS handles 32 lb of boost before head bolt let's go..lol 1500+ hp 1300+ trq stock internals..lol

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Wasn't that an LME LSX block with forged internals, but stock TTY head bolts making 1700hp with an F1X?

I hit peaks of 20#s at 7k rpms. SBE, stock head bolts. Wouldnt call it safe though. Others do much worse.

eLeSthree · 01-21-2020, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

That's insane. I've read some people pushing lots out of these stock. Don't think that would last very long!

check out turbo_ls3 on instagram. I wont advertise his hp/tq numbers, but lets just say, he's making waaaay more than what's considered "safe" for at least 3 years on his SBE. trapping 155(roll). Just recently added arp head studs for insurance.

I use him as my safety zone buffer, lol.

joshnmn · 01-21-2020, 07:01 AM

He’s on here too
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/member.php?u=91311

graf101 · 01-21-2020, 07:53 AM

I ran my sbe ls3 up to 15psi before I started lifting the heads and pushing coolant. ARP head studded and all was fine. Mine made 900+whp on the sbe ls3 for over a year before I sold it and upgraded for insurance and more power potential.

abshire1006 · 01-25-2020, 06:29 AM

I’m personally running 7-8 psi on pump 93 and have been running the car like this for 2 years and I haven’t had any issues, there then a clutch replacement, and axel I had to replace.

Rem0v3r · 01-26-2020, 04:46 PM

Cant tell you where the line is, every car is different.. mine is a Stock l99, stock cam, stock converter, 93 octane florida car. ran 8psi for 2 years at 13 degrees timing... turbo car. Only saw knock 1 time due to low fuel pressure.

Rem0v3r · 01-26-2020, 04:48 PM

Use cyl grams as your guideline, not boost. Boost is a restriction, the power comes from the oxygen and the oxygen is measured in cylinder grams.

Doing it this way eliminates cams, heads exhaust and different dynos as a factor.. just make sure if someone tells you there number that there tune is good.

JANNETTYRACING · 01-27-2020, 08:13 AM

It is the luck of the draw guys!

When dealing with SBE they are not all the same.

GM uses many manufacturers for the same parts so you can have what looks like Identical parts with identical part numbers and one fails and the other doesn't.

It is great fun to see how much power your engine will handle but you are rolling the dice every time.

We have always been successful as that shop that does a lot with a little but we make this clear on every build.

So you just never know.

As far as a safe boost level that has all to do with the fuel being burned.

Ted.

01-20-2020, 08:35 PM	#1
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	Safe boost level I've read a few things and a lot of threads were old. I'm wondering if there's a generally accepted safe limit on boost levels. When are you in danger of lifting a head or pushing coolant on a SBE stock head bolts. I'm running 11 psi now. Doing my cam shortly and toying with the idea of pushing the boost to 14psi and adding meth injection. I did read belt slip seems to start being an issue around 14psi anyway. My fuel system will only support 700-750whp so i may not even need 14psi but just thinking out loud here. Could i safely push it to 14 if my fuel pressure holds up. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

01-20-2020, 08:38 PM	#2
Rons1le Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS RS 1LE AGM Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Galion, Oh Posts: 531 View My Garage	Ls tech and Corvette forums has several threads on this most of them stating 14 or less to be safe on boost without head studs or forged pistons and rods.... PS Watch LS vs coyote on YouTube On the engine stand LS handles 32 lb of boost before head bolt let's go..lol 1500+ hp 1300+ trq "stock" forged internals sorry..lol Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk __________________ 2015 2SS RS 1LE NPP/w Kooks headers, Procharged, ID1050X injectors, Katech belt tensioner, Mighty Mouse Catch Can, BMR subframe connectors, Matco driveshaft loop, AEM Wideband/Boost/Fuel gauges , Z/28 Splitter and Spoiler/w Wicker bill, Power Stop rotors and brake pads, MRR Z/28 Rep Wheels 20" w/p zeros 285 fronts and 305 rears, ZL1 addons Rock guards and Tow hook, Rear window louvers, Flags on the quarter windows and the moonroof, Billet aluminum door handles. Last edited by Rons1le; 01-21-2020 at 07:07 AM.

01-20-2020, 08:47 PM	#3
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	That's insane. I've read some people pushing lots out of these stock. Don't think that would last very long! __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

01-20-2020, 10:21 PM	#5
Pro-tuned Angewendet Ingenieur Drives: 14 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 401	Wouldn’t consider “14”, it’s asking for it! Running @ “15” but it’s all forged LQ9 3.25 Whipple no reservations... __________________ ———— LQ9, Iron Block, Forged internals, 408CI, Jannetty custom cam, TS short block, Whipple, Hardened Jackshaft, PRC 260, 2X3 Dynatech Full Competition, HF Cats, CAI, NW 103, Chee, ID 1300, COPO Breather, MSD, Fore Dual Pump, ultratorque, E85, dual Meth, True Trac, 3:45, 1500hp axle-shafts, DSS CF, BMR, custom Pearl/Candy paint by Jaidah.

01-21-2020, 07:53 AM	#9
graf101 Trouble_SM Drives: 17' Summit White ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Midlothian, TX Posts: 449	I ran my sbe ls3 up to 15psi before I started lifting the heads and pushing coolant. ARP head studded and all was fine. Mine made 900+whp on the sbe ls3 for over a year before I sold it and upgraded for insurance and more power potential. __________________

01-20-2020, 09:41 PM	#4
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,663	14 psi is pushing it. Keep in mind that adding a cam will lower you boost though. If you're running 11 psi now then adding a cam and dropping a pulley size will probably keep you right at 11 psi and add about 50hp or so. Add some meth to that and you're right at 700rwhp about as safely as you can. Now 700rwhp has been done before but it can let go on you at any time. A good safe tune is key.

01-21-2020, 07:01 AM	#8
joshnmn 2&THEHIT Drives: 5th Gen Camaro; 5th Gen Ram 3500 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,013 View My Garage	He’s on here too https://www.camaro5.com/forums/member.php?u=91311

01-25-2020, 06:29 AM	#10
abshire1006 Drives: 2012 camaro ss Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Louisiana Posts: 35	I’m personally running 7-8 psi on pump 93 and have been running the car like this for 2 years and I haven’t had any issues, there then a clutch replacement, and axel I had to replace. __________________ 2012 SS, Magnuson supercharger, leathel racing night fury cam, ported throttle body, long tube headers,ACT twin disk clutch, BMR suspension, 620 RWHP 580 ftp 11.8 @121 1/4 mile time on 295/35/20 nitto nt555g2 tires

01-26-2020, 04:46 PM	#11
Rem0v3r Drives: 2013 ss2 vert l99 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South florida Posts: 150	Cant tell you where the line is, every car is different.. mine is a Stock l99, stock cam, stock converter, 93 octane florida car. ran 8psi for 2 years at 13 degrees timing... turbo car. Only saw knock 1 time due to low fuel pressure.

01-26-2020, 04:48 PM	#12
Rem0v3r Drives: 2013 ss2 vert l99 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South florida Posts: 150	Use cyl grams as your guideline, not boost. Boost is a restriction, the power comes from the oxygen and the oxygen is measured in cylinder grams. Doing it this way eliminates cams, heads exhaust and different dynos as a factor.. just make sure if someone tells you there number that there tune is good.

01-27-2020, 08:13 AM	#13
JANNETTYRACING Drives: BLUE CAMARO ZL1 1LE M6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ON THE DYNO WATERBURY CT. Posts: 15,225	It is the luck of the draw guys! When dealing with SBE they are not all the same. GM uses many manufacturers for the same parts so you can have what looks like Identical parts with identical part numbers and one fails and the other doesn't. It is great fun to see how much power your engine will handle but you are rolling the dice every time. We have always been successful as that shop that does a lot with a little but we make this clear on every build. So you just never know. As far as a safe boost level that has all to do with the fuel being burned. Ted. __________________ www.jannettyracing.com Celebrating 37 years Performance parts, Installation, Fabrication, Dyno tuning, Remote custom tuning, and alignments. 203-753-7223 Waterbury CT. 06705 email tedj@jannettyracing.com