How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle?? - Boost Forum

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How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Friday, March 07, 2008 10:57 AM
I read on here that the pistons can handle ~300hp...and thats pretty much the weakest part in the bottom end, and i only want ~2 - 250hp so im not worried about that. As far as the valves and the top end go, ive got that pretty much covered. Im gonna do the ls6 valve spring swap and get a port and polish so my top end will be stronger and flow better.


But, i have a couple of questions: 1 - how much psi/compression can the stock cast-iron 2.2 block handle safely?? I know that the pistons (weakest part ) will handle ~300hp, but im concerned about the strength of the block.

2 - i have a 2.2 motor. Im trying to boost it, and what im wondering is, if i were to take the injectors from a 2.4 motor, would i still be able to ''safely'' run boost? or will the injectors need to be even bigger than that?


///ATLANTA~ATNALTA\\\

Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Friday, March 07, 2008 12:42 PM
It's an iron block, it will take whatever you are able to throw at with stock pistons.
You need bigger injectors, I'd say 320cc max, but check rceng.com to get a better idea.




fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Saturday, March 08, 2008 12:43 AM
Eh, you may need bigger than 320cc even for just 250hp. 440's are cheap, available, and wouldn't be overkill enough where you'd have problems with fuel puddling and such.

Keep in mind, the only way that stock pistons can hold 220+ hp is if the tuning is DEAD-ON. Ask Notec what happens to pistons when its not

As for the block, I've never heard of anyone on here breaking the block, crank, or rods of a 2200. I've seen heads warp when then engine overheats, but as long as you are conscientious about checking coolant levels and not ignoring your gauges, it shouldn't ever be a problem.




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Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Saturday, March 08, 2008 10:40 AM
okay, this all sounds pretty good to me!


So, im guessing that also means i should try to get my hands on some FORGEDpistons before boostin too? Just in case my tune is at first a lil crazy?


///ATLANTA~ATNALTA\\\
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Saturday, March 08, 2008 11:07 AM
Scarab (Jersey Jay 1.8T) wrote:Eh, you may need bigger than 320cc even for just 250hp.
Whoops, I meant to say 320cc min.
Scarab (Jersey Jay 1.8T) wrote:Ask Notec what happens to pistons when its not






fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Saturday, March 08, 2008 2:03 PM
madking411 wrote:okay, this all sounds pretty good to me!


So, im guessing that also means i should try to get my hands on some FORGEDpistons before boostin too? Just in case my tune is at first a lil crazy?


Overbuilding only ever hurts the wallet. Its always a good thing to have an extra safety cushion, so things like forged pistons, slightly bigger injectors than needed, etc, definitely don't hurt.




Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Sunday, March 09, 2008 9:01 AM
Scarab (Jersey Jay 1.8T) wrote:
madking411 wrote:okay, this all sounds pretty good to me!


So, im guessing that also means i should try to get my hands on some FORGEDpistons before boostin too? Just in case my tune is at first a lil crazy?


Overbuilding only ever hurts the wallet. Its always a good thing to have an extra safety cushion, so things like forged pistons, slightly bigger injectors than needed, etc, definitely don't hurt.
...assuming the motor is built correctly. I've seen a couple recently that have seized because the bores were not large enough for the forged piston expansion.



fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Sunday, March 09, 2008 11:21 AM
^ fair enough! lol




Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Sunday, March 09, 2008 7:50 PM
So if one was to build a boosted 2200 motor to handle less than 300, should you go with something like eagle rods, or will forged pistons on stock rods be good, for 200-250 whp?

This is all news to my ears, i thought the internals where relatively weak, but the block was strong as hell.
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Monday, March 10, 2008 6:11 AM
Kyle Sheldon wrote:So if one was to build a boosted 2200 motor to handle less than 300, should you go with something like eagle rods, or will forged pistons on stock rods be good, for 200-250 whp?

This is all news to my ears, i thought the internals where relatively weak, but the block was strong as hell.
I would leave the bottom end stock; pistons are incredibly expensive. Get a .030" Cometic head gasket and ARP head studs, but don't worry about anything else. Just take your time with the tuning and slowly work your way up.



fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Monday, March 10, 2008 10:53 AM
OHV notec wrote:
Kyle Sheldon wrote:So if one was to build a boosted 2200 motor to handle less than 300, should you go with something like eagle rods, or will forged pistons on stock rods be good, for 200-250 whp?

This is all news to my ears, i thought the internals where relatively weak, but the block was strong as hell.
I would leave the bottom end stock; pistons are incredibly expensive. Get a .030" Cometic head gasket and ARP head studs, but don't worry about anything else. Just take your time with the tuning and slowly work your way up.


Well thats a pleasant surprise. I may do just that. I have a spare car now, and i've been wanting to get a new turbo and bump up the PSI a bit, make some more power.

Sorry to thread jack by the way.

Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Monday, March 10, 2008 5:05 PM
Kyle Sheldon wrote:
OHV notec wrote:
Kyle Sheldon wrote:So if one was to build a boosted 2200 motor to handle less than 300, should you go with something like eagle rods, or will forged pistons on stock rods be good, for 200-250 whp?

This is all news to my ears, i thought the internals where relatively weak, but the block was strong as hell.
I would leave the bottom end stock; pistons are incredibly expensive. Get a .030" Cometic head gasket and ARP head studs, but don't worry about anything else. Just take your time with the tuning and slowly work your way up.


Well thats a pleasant surprise. I may do just that. I have a spare car now, and i've been wanting to get a new turbo and bump up the PSI a bit, make some more power.

Sorry to thread jack by the way.
Pay for some decent tuning first, that BEGi FMU won't last long...



fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 4:59 PM
Quote:

...assuming the motor is built correctly. I've seen a couple recently that have seized because the bores were not large enough for the forged piston expansion.


This is most likely caused by improper installation of the piston rings. If you buy forged pistons MAKE SURE, you file your piston rings to the proper specs of your motor! If I were you I would have a shop do the piston installation.


If life starts to pass you by, Downshift!

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Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:03 PM
Trent Brotzler wrote:
Quote:

...assuming the motor is built correctly. I've seen a couple recently that have seized because the bores were not large enough for the forged piston expansion.


This is most likely caused by improper installation of the piston rings. If you buy forged pistons MAKE SURE, you file your piston rings to the proper specs of your motor! If I were you I would have a shop do the piston installation.
The piston skirts were destroyed, I doubt it was the rings,



fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster
Re: How much can the 2.2 OHV block handle??
Saturday, March 15, 2008 4:07 PM
sooooooo........basicallly....what im getting from this is, that i shouldnt worry TOO much about the internals for now....and that i should tune and work my way up from an extremely LOW amount of boost...?



Another question though......is there any way i can run boost safely without HPT?? Because, ive got a 96 and im trying to avoid having to re-pin my ECU to a 97 because theres essentially no way i can get it done, b/c no one in my area knows GM and no one on here seems to know anything about it either, and i DEFinately dont know what im doing as far as ecu work goes.


///ATLANTA~ATNALTA\\\
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