EngineLabs 1,000 HP LS Challange

A few months ago, EngineLabs approached us with an excellent idea. They wanted us to build, or try to build, a 1,000-horsepower reliable LS engine for under $8,000. Sure, the internet will tell you, "Building a 1,000-horsepower engine is easy and cheap!" And this statement is true, well, for the most part. You see, LS engines can hit the four-digit horsepower mark without much trouble. We've even seen stock turbo LS combinations hit the number, but in our experience, they won't repeat this performance for long. 

Enter 007, one of our 5.3 short blocks built for boost. This is the perfect engine for someone looking for a robust, reliable short block at the 1,000-horsepower mark. 

Our 5.3 short-block package (starting at $4599.95) includes forged H-beam rods with ARP2000 bolts and forged 4032 pistons featuring heavy-wall .927-inch wrist pins, all selected to withstand the target power levels. The rotating assembly incorporates an OE GM 3.622-inch stroke crankshaft, balanced for the new components and secured with ARP main studs. 

Despite being cast from iron and lacking full counterweights, the GM crank has demonstrated its capability to handle power outputs well beyond 1,000 horsepower. A set of forged 4340 H-beam connecting rods with bi-metal rod bearings are used, meeting the requirements for power goals. The pistons are forged from 4032 aluminum, with 1.5mm, 1.5mm, and 3.0mm ring grooves, and incorporate gas-ported piston rings for improved sealing and reduced friction. The pistons also feature an anti-wear skirt coating and a .180-inch wall-thickness wrist pin.

With our short block and a host of parts from Summit Racing to finish off the build, we were able to make over 1,000 horsepower reliably. In fact, we made over 80 dyno pulls with the engine before pulling it off the dyno. 

You can read more about this project at here on EngineLabs.com.