LT1 ??'s

[Im3good4u]

How much horsepower can an 94 LT1 handle with stock internals?

How much horsepower can the body handle(differential, etc.)?

[FormulaLT1]

The rear's are weak links. they have been known to break under stock power with a few trips down the track with sticky tires. So thats a hard one to answer. Stock internals on a 94 are good to like 550 - 600 though and even at 600 or so. They are not going to self destruct without vibration.

[ViperJ]

Hom much nitrous are you planning on running?

[Im3good4u]

the most possible but definitely direct port. im guessing like a 100 shot atleast, hopefully more. I plan to get a cam, and nitrous. Im aiming for low 12's on the track. Well see.

[tuske427]

I think depending on what you wish to do to the engine and how you plan to use it will affect how long it lives.

Are you mostly just driving the car with an occasional blast of heavy power, or is this going to be a race only engine?

I believe they're cast pistons in the LT1, so they won't last too long with heavy shots of nitrous, or large amounts of boost. Obviously "street" blower packages are designed to work on stock engines, so you should be Ok there with the 4-6 pounds of boost.

Don't over-rev the engine. Keep your power/ rpms under 6 grand, preferably no more than 5-5500 rpm and it'll live longer. anything higher and you'll really be stressing your internal components. Some people think these are nascar engines that'll rev like a turbine. they won't. they're not designed for it and they'll break.

Like Formula LT1 said, the rear ends are weak. I messed mine up with a stock engine and hard compound street tires. I replaced the internals with an auburn posi, richmond gears and a differntial cover with the pre-load bolts. That certianly helped out.

Frame ties are a good investment, too, if you up your power beyond stock. Some argue that stock cars need them. Make sure you have them welded in, and get the "double diamond" style as they have numerous attachment points versus regular straight tubes.

Also, make sure your car hooks up. I'd spend some money on a good torque arm, lower control arms, polyurethane (or del-alum) bushings. all the power in the world is useless if you can't hook your car up.

I hope this is helpful.

-BV