whats the lowest compression ratio and still be a daily driver.

 

Do you mean compression reading? I believe the compression ratio is 19.5 to 1 . The only way to raise or lower compression ratio is to make the combustion chamber smaller or larger, respectively...Mark

 

yea i know that part but how low can i go and still drive it on the weekends

 

I thought it was 17.5:1, but I'm probably wrong. You don't want to go changing the ratio, much better just to leave it where it is. If you want your engine to last anyway. I went down this road a few months ago, (search my threads) but was advised I was . It's understandable, our ratio is pretty high for a 20-odd year old truck as it is.

 

Why would you want to go lower? I guess the easiest way would be to get a 0.010" or 0.020" over HG.

 

lower compression equals less cylinder pressure. that means you have more room to add boost and a greater volume of cool air to the cylinder. more cool air will let you add more fuel, which of course means more power. lower compression will make your truck harder to start and lose some low end power.

there are people out there that are much smarter and could explain better but you never know if they will show up and post.

 

Ahh, I see. But... if the cylinder temp is lower, and you add more fuel, you're not going to burn all that fuel... or are you? Seems like kind of a waste if you're not harnessing all the calorific value of the fuel.

... is 'calorific' a word?

 

All the big boys have low ratio's. That is one way they can run the 80 to 100 psi boost.

 

again, im no expert but...

im sure with enough rpm, timing and turbo you would be able to burn it. it will still kill your throttle response and low rpm torque.

i wouldnt run much more than a .020 gasket on the street. i think thats one less point of compression roughly.

 

Why would you want to lower compression ratio? That would lead to inefficient combustion, unless you are going to introduce a flammable, like propane, Mark

 

what is the compression with a .020 head gasket..

 

There is a guy up here that is building a puller/street truck p pumper that has 15 to 1 ratio. Not sure how street friendly it will be. I would stay in the 16.5 to 1 ratio. Thats pretty much where some of the marine 6 b's run.

 

I'm with Richie on 16.5
I know the newer cow **** duramax is running 16.8:1
Good Luck, And how much are you planning to push with the turbo's?

 

Mark, I think these posts should answer your question. I was wondering the same thing, (see post #5.)

 

And that should answer your question, boostedve. Unless JBradley500 is wrong. I wouldn't know!