73 LS-SERIES CRATE ENGINES Parts intended for competition use only. See page 2 for details. BUILDING BOOST WITH THE LS9 LONG BLOCK Chevrolet Performance Engineers Top 1,000 HP1 with Twin-turbo Test Engine2 Our all-new LS9 Long Block assembly (P/N 12624262) was originally designed to support the supercharged performance in the C6 Corvette ZR1. It has tough, all-forged internals and other components designed to support the boosted platform. Chevrolet Performance offers the LS9 Long Block as a strong base for custom boosted engine builds, so our engineers took one and built a test engine to probe its capabilities. Specifically, they wanted to know if the LS9 Long Block could support 1,000 force-inducted horsepower. Spoiler alert: It did. With the completely stock long block, the engineers added a production LS3 intake manifold assembly (including throttle body and injectors), a pair of turbochargers and stainless steel 1-7⁄8-inch turbo headers. Engine management was handled by a custom control system. Some quick calculations determined the stock LS3 fuel injectors wouldn’t be able to support the fuel requirements for the capability of the twin-turbo system, so they were replaced with higher-flow injectors. The engine was also tuned for E85 fuel, while the turbos were kept under max boost until the upper range of the rpm band, peaking at 18 psi. The result was an amazing 1,020 horsepower and 990 lb.-ft. of torque on a dyno at the GM Racing and Performance Center in Pontiac, Michigan. It was all with a stock LS9 long block, a production intake manifold and off-the-shelf fuel system and turbo components. “It’s an incredible result, but one builders can easily replicate with the LS9 long block and similar components,” said engineer Vince Tiaga. “The LS9 is a strong foundation for boosted engines and that’s what we set out to prove.” Importantly, the engineering team kept pushing the engine, making a number of follow-up dyno pulls to confirm not only the combination’s capability, but its durability. The testing included a number of simulated drag-racing pulls, as well as follow-up tests that pushed the engine even further. “The bottom line is we never stop testing our engines and parts,” said Tiaga. “The LS9 long block passed with flying colors—and the tests proved it’s comparatively easy to make big power with it!” IMPORTANT NOTE: The results of this test were achieved by professional engineers with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in a controlled environment. This exercise was conducted to illustrate that higher- than-production horsepower and torque levels can be achieved with aftermarket power-adders and alternative fuels. Chevrolet Performance does not guarantee the performance of the LS9 long-block beyond the original production engine, as critical elements such as spark control, air-fuel ratio, fuel type and quality are beyond our control. 1Data achieved via pulls on dyno that were all 1000hp +/- 1.5%. 2Because of their effect on a vehicle’s emissions performance, these engines are intended exclusively for use in competition vehicles. These engines are designed and intended for use in vehicles operated exclusively for competition: in racing or organized competition on courses separate from public streets or highways. Installation or use of these engines on a vehicle operated on public streets or highways is likely to violate U.S., Canadian, and state and provincial laws and regulations related to motor vehicle emissions. Check out the full, three-part story at theBlock.com Project LS9TT Part One: The Components Project LS9TT Part Two: The Dyno Project LS9TT Part Three: The Upgrades Left: This is what 1,000 turbocharged horsepower looks like with an LS9 long block, an LS3 intake manifold, twin turbos and an E85 fuel system. Right: The LS9 long block has forged internals, a 9.1:1 compression ratio and robust head gaskets, all designed for boost. Results achieved using our LS3 Intake Manifold Assembly 19418251 See page 117 for product details
