[Enthusiast]

I want to be able to rev my LT1 higher than stock (maybe to 6500 or 7000 rpms). With some good Valve springs and hardened pushrods what do you guys think would be the highest to rev one an otherwise mostly stock 100,000 mile LT1. If just the valve-train adjustments wont cut it what else would be needed (im thinking in maybe the fuel delivery category). Would this be safe? I know the LT1 is more of a torquey bottom end motor, so would it even be worth it? What about with a bigger cam?

 

[Vendetta]

You're playing with fire... 6500 is pushing a stock LT1 IMO. You'd be better with a built motor.

 

[Chris 96 WS6]

You're playing with fire... 6500 is pushing a stock LT1 IMO. You'd be better with a built motor.

Yep...anything over about 6200 on the stock bearings and they'll slowly chew themselves up.

 

[Enthusiast]

So with an upgraded valvetrain 6000 wouldnt be bad?

 

[Vendetta]

Should be alright with 6000 rpm.

 

[F-Bobby]

keep in mind that you still have a small block chevy, unless you build it correctly you arent going to have much of a usable power band past 6 anyway. so you wanna get as much out of that 6K as possible.

 

[Chris 96 WS6]

I'd strongly recommend upgrading to 7/16" rocker studs, full roller rockers and guideplates + hardened pushrods if you're going to routinely go to or past 6000.

 

[Enthusiast]

okay i can do all that. Will the LT1 make any power at 6 grand if its all stock besides the vavletrain adjustments.

 

[gettinthere]

I wouldn't spin an LT1 higher then 6200 w/o doing some bottom end work. And the valvetrain is a given.

 

[Chris 96 WS6]

okay i can do all that. Will the LT1 make any power at 6 grand if its all stock besides the vavletrain adjustments.

No not really....the stock cam peaks around 5700...so there's no point it revving it that high unless you are just wanting to rev to be cool like ricers.

 

[1970judge]

Ya my new shift points will be at 6500rpm and im scared lol. Oh well 396ont he way anyway :thumbsup:

 

[Enthusiast]

Well whats the hot cams beak power rpm.

 

[1970judge]

Who cares its a shitty cam.

 

[1970judge]

Hotcam is something like 2500-5500? Dont bother with it. Go bigger. Lots.

 

[Enthusiast]

Well what would be your suggestion?

 

[97m6formula]

I had a 224/230 112lsa .536/.545 I revved my 100k mile LT1 to 6500 rpm all the time with it..I wouldnt recommend it but hey I really just dont care I knew I was buying a motor soon anyway

 

[OneMeanZ]

I had a 224/230 112lsa .536/.545 I revved my 100k mile LT1 to 6500 rpm all the time with it..I wouldnt recommend it but hey I really just dont care I knew I was buying a motor soon anyway

LoL, that's how it's done.

 

[Enthusiast]

I was thinking about the Le2 stage 2 heads and cam. The operating rpm for that cam is like 2500-6200. What would i have to do to the bottom end to be able to rev to 6200 all the time.

 

[BoltOnZ]

Bigger cam isn't always better but anyways

On an otherwise stock LT1, your wasting your time even going any higher than 6k. My shift points are set at 6k right now. I had them at 6200 and it didn't go any faster, so there's no point in it.

 

[revolutionary]

A little valve spring upgrade and you can physically rev it to 6500 but the LT1 manifold is going to keep your peak hp down in the rpm range so you are out of usable power. The bottom end should be able to handle 6500 easily. That being said, the LT's came with two different types of rods and I have tended to see the powdered metal rods spin bearings more often that the older style forged rods.