I drive an 88 Camaro with the L03 motor. Just wondering how high I can take my RPM's before I snap the crank or a rod breaks in half. I know my car only makes power to 4500 RPM's now but I plan on doing some modding. Some intake's and cam's can go up to 6500 RPM's easily but I don't want anything up there if I have to worry about something breaking every time I open it up. I would really like it if I didn't have to drop 1000 or 1500 bucks on forged and balanced racing internals just to mod my engine. I would be happy if I could take it up to about 5500 RPM. What do you think, possible on stock internals ?

Also, a friend of mine drives an 84 with a 305 H.O. and 5 speed. He was telling me about a race he had with a mustang and he let it wind out to about 6500 RPM before each shift I about **** myself. I tried to explain to him that he doesn't make any power out there and that he better be careful running that high. He just shrugged it off. He'll learn the hard way one of these times I'm afraid.

Come on somebody has to know. One of those things were you just gotta try it and you wont know until it breaks? TTT

305's can spin to the moon, it can take 6,500 RPM's no problem, but your engine wont be making any power after 4,500 anyhow so spinning that high is poinless

I wouldnt take it past 6000 to be safe.

Those intakes 'rated' to 6500 you arent going to see that rpm anyway, its gonna die off and make more sense to shift earlier than that anyways.

Thanks for replying guys. I know I only make power to 4500 but for future referrence its nice to know how high I can go with the intake.

the L03 will hold together as high as you can make power with it. unfortunatly it won't breath well at a high enough rpm to damage itself.

Your intake won't be the real limiting factor. The ignition system is going to start delivering weaker sparks from about 4,500 RPM on to the point where ignition voltage will be inadequate at the cylinder pressures you are experiencing.

But before that, you'll start losing compression and breathing due to valve float with stock springs and retainers (especially with rotators), so the engine will start to govern itself at about 4,500 RPM anyway. Whatever power you're still making at 6,000 RPM won't be enough to stress the crank and rods, unless you are revving it in neutral with no loading.