How much power can a 5.0 handle

[JDG]

How much power can a stock 5.0 motor handle before it breaks? I have heard all kinds of numbers (500-650+) but just dont know who is right. I am planning on getting my motor around 500-600 HP if it can handle it. I am wanting to use a turbo or super charger.

[Bluestreak]

Can a stocker put out that power? Sure. I've seen it. But it's not going to hold together for very long, especially under boost on a stock block. It'll crack in short order. At the very least, that power level will require better than a stock block to have any reliability. I've seen stock blocks crack at 350hp. 500-600? I don't think it'll survive long.

[slowfox]

There is really no definite answer. Most engine builders will agree that RPMs will kill these as quick as HP. (like 375 hp at 7500rpms) Most try to keep them under 6K rpms and 450 fwhp. Even at those levels you never know. Anything after that is a timebomb. Some have made much more with luck and a good tune but over time something as simple as a bad tank of fuel makes them go boom. Or it was just it's time to give it up.

I wouldn't say there is a guarantee but there is a bunch at the 450 level that take it. I would say good tune is prob the most important thing to keep it safe as possible.

Just my opinion

[MustangCRZY302]

the magic number i've heard is usally around 500-550, but IMO it all depends on how ya drive it.

[Silver91Hatch]

We need to make this a stickey. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE TUNE!! You can split a block with 250hp or 600hp depending on the tune!

[fastoleman]

There is really no definite answer. Most engine builders will agree that RPMs will kill these as quick as HP. (like 375 hp at 7500rpms) Most try to keep them under 6K rpms and 450 fwhp. Even at those levels you never know. Anything after that is a timebomb. Some have made much more with luck and a good tune but over time something as simple as a bad tank of fuel makes them go boom. Or it was just it's time to give it up.

I wouldn't say there is a guarantee but there is a bunch at the 450 level that take it. I would say good tune is prob the most important thing to keep it safe as possible.

Just my opinion

I Agree 110%!!!!!

[BYEBYE2U]

i've seen a stock block hold 500 HP continously without any issues at all.and this was witout any main support or anything.there tuff forsure!!

[fastoleman]

i've seen a stock block hold 500 HP continously without any issues at all.and this was witout any main support or anything.there tuff forsure!!
True but 8 out 10 will spit...So i it worth trying on your stock block??? No two blocks are the same.
Take two of the same cars,years,motors,color even down to the valve stems---One will run like a raped ape and the other want get out of its own way....go fig?!?!?!

[whiteboy192004]

the best i have seen was a main girdled stock block crank rods and pistons, make 542rwhp on a mustang dyno, at 7200rpm, but it also had valley girdles, that was 3years ago and he is still drivin it

[Notch93]

Billy's (NC STANG GUY) 89 LX vert stock bottom end H/C/I Precision T70 turbo 577rwhp/602 rwtq on pump gas with a 10:1 a/f.

Like said above, it's in the tune, and the rpm's. But I have seen stock blocks split making 275 HP.

[Silver91Hatch]

They have a stock block coupe around here going well into the 5's in the 1/8th. They claim with no girdles, etc. Its all in the tune/rpm.

[Badass1993]

They have a stock block coupe around here going well into the 5's in the 1/8th. They claim with no girdles, etc. Its all in the tune/rpm.

+1 It made 730 RWHP and lived for two seasons....Thats 730ish thru a glide,no tellin what it was at the crank.....They upgraded the turbo and it laid down 818rwhp,but it went a few rounds and I think the block finally gave way......

[nastynotchback1]

They have a stock block coupe around here going well into the 5's in the 1/8th. They claim with no girdles, etc. Its all in the tune/rpm.

all the girdles do is hold it together when it splits.

[fastoleman]

all the girdles do is hold it together when it splits.
True and False....A girdle ties all the caps together to make the block more ridged/stronger....But i guess you could say that with all the caps being bolted together it would hold the stuff together after a bad run.
just asking but why would someone pay over a $100 for something to hold together a engine after it has split...i wouldn't

[Silver91Hatch]

+1 It made 730 RWHP and lived for two seasons....Thats 730ish thru a glide,no tellin what it was at the crank.....They upgraded the turbo and it laid down 818rwhp,but it went a few rounds and I think the block finally gave way......

I think they said the block didn't give way. Something happened but I think they said it was still fixable, but he has already bought a Dart blocked engine for next season.

[TripleThreat]

a guy named Rich G...who is on many local south florida forums..

has thrown down 10.4's at over 130mph on his stock block in the quarter mile. 550 rwhp..

but he himself says its a ticking time bomb




450 fwhp.

What?

[90hatch]

..

[Notch93]

450 fwhp





What?

Jared, FWHP = Flywheel Horsepower, what you would see on a engine dyno (motor not in the car).

RWHP = Rear Wheel Horsepower, what you would see on a chassis dyno.

:patriot:

[Silver91Hatch]

I bet he thought slowfox was talking about

Front
Wheel
Horse
Power

[Notch93]

I bet he thought slowfox was talking about

Front
Wheel
Horse
Power

:lol2::lol2::lol2:

Might just be correct.:yes1: :lol1::lol1:

[crumbie]

I've always READ 450 rwhp. My guess is it just depends on what rwhp you're making, what kinda tune it's on, how many rpm's, and if that's with forced induction. Depending on those variables I'd say 450-550 rwhp. Anything under popping wasn't the blocks fault and anything over is, well, expected to pop anytime.

[GEO302]

My car makes 455 HP 570 TQ On a completely stock 1995 short block ( 150 Dry Kit )
I am not running a girdle.
Motor has maybe 5,000 miles on it.
I built it 5 years ago.
I have a GREAT write up from race pages.
1968 Mexician BLOCK ( If you can find one ) GET IT !!!!!
Punched it out to a 347
Eagle rotating assembly
Stud Girdle
Valley Girdle
100 Shot
Car made 656 HP 632 TQ @ 7200 RPM ( Engine Dyno ) Repeatedly
Carb motor

[TripleThreat]

I bet he thought slowfox was talking about

Front
Wheel
Horse
Power

Dude I did..I was like...uhhhhhhhh uhh...please god..no

[NC STANG GUY]

You have to keep it from detonating of course but other than that despite what some say it's just luck.......
Mines made over 500rwhp for several years but no more than 3,000 miles have been put on the car. Not beat on continously either. Now that may change when the 4R70 trans gets in there somewhat. More track time anyways. Have to see what it'll do.
It should be in the mid 10's even being a porky vert. (was over 3600 with me and the 5spd)

[BYEBYE2U]

True but 8 out 10 will spit...So i it worth trying on your stock block??? No two blocks are the same.
Take two of the same cars,years,motors,color even down to the valve stems---One will run like a raped ape and the other want get out of its own way....go fig?!?!?!



true dat - true dat,but i've seen plenty on the 500 + mark and one has 210xxxxxx miles on it and still screaming. and i've seen the slow V/S fast between the 2 also,but their fairly strong.what people rate them at is only "SAFE" HP not what they can really hold.but yes 500 HP is on the shakey side for a stock block:yes1:

[nastynotchback1]

True and False....A girdle ties all the caps together to make the block more ridged/stronger....But i guess you could say that with all the caps being bolted together it would hold the stuff together after a bad run.
just asking but why would someone pay over a $100 for something to hold together a engine after it has split...i wouldn't



No false to it.Girdles are a gimmick.I too have run them and just for the point i made.I spent 100.00 + in hopes that if the block did split it would hold it together enough to not ruin the cam crank and rods.Never split one my self so i never got to test it.We did bust one block with a girdle in another car and it only ran 7.0-6.9 range but all the internals were able to be reused.Mine ran 6.40's all day long with stock crank and rods.

[cammincoupe]

my 347 with no girdle's on a 150 shot dumping clutch at 4800 on slicks on a factory computer lasted for a year or so...:( didnt break till the car wouldnt go in 3gear one night at the track and over revved it on spray.... how ever when me and 88mouse pulled it apart the rotating assembly and cam cam out unharmed.. all but 2 main caps came out with the crank as well.. the whole mow much will my block hold ? is really about how much u beat on it and how good your tune is, a bad tune will kill a stock motor in notime as well as a built motor, keep in mind my car wasnt being twisted past 6200 either.

[fastoleman]

No false to it.Girdles are a gimmick.I too have run them and just for the point i made.I spent 100.00 + in hopes that if the block did split it would hold it together enough to not ruin the cam crank and rods.Never split one my self so i never got to test it.We did bust one block with a girdle in another car and it only ran 7.0-6.9 range but all the internals were able to be reused.Mine ran 6.40's all day long with stock crank and rods.
Well as you see this can be Debated for years to come..But IMO its all in the builder and the hopes of a good casting.Its in the time that the builder took to put the engine together not just bolt the crank and rods together.To me $100 worth of INS is better than the price of a block,gaskets block work and time.To me a Girdle works,It evens out the force across the main caps.If not tell me why ALL Pro builders use them?In the end people on both sides of the fence are going to be right..till the pop day.I guess all in all its what do you want out of the engine??A Daily drive or a track ride...with 500HP
Its kinda like being on the edge of a cliff....Cool ..till the wind hits your back...then its Oshit

[JDG]

Thanks for all the info. I guess all I can do is maybe try it and see or try to get me a better block and start over. But I know I will need a good tune but I dont know where to get one around here. Does any one know of a good place that I can get it done.

[slowfox]

I bet he thought slowfox was talking about

Front
Wheel
Horse
Power

Ahhhh hell no. I like RWD= rear(right) wheel drive. Front wheel drive is for tricycles and getting groceries :lol1:




Its kinda like being on the edge of a cliff....Cool ..till the wind hits your back...then its Oshit

Hahahaha that is a great way to describe something.


I ran a girdle on mine to help prevent cap walk and if i was making a hard blast and saw the oil pressure dive(can be a sign of block death at WOT) I might be able to keep the rotating assembly for another block.

[rossstang8808]

forgive me if im wrong but wont the stock block hold up longer than the stock internals will?????? (5.0L)

[GEO302]

forgive me if im wrong but wont the stock block hold up longer than the stock internals will?????? (5.0L)The block will split first

[JDG]

My internals are not stock but that dont help me out none if the block cant hold what the other stuff can hold. All I know is turn her up and let her split if thats what has to happen.