Deebs Build Saturn LL0 engine

[siris]

A "Deebs" build is a popular, all Saturn original parts, way to make a performance engine for the Saturn S-Series platform. These parts are easy to source parts that you could easily obtain from a junkyard or salvage yard ( car-part.com ) that should net modest performance gains without too much difficulty. This can replace a Single Cam ( SOHC ) or be used in place of the later generation Twin Cam ( DOHC ) with minimal additional parts. Generally a computer swap ( see PCM/BCM security relearn ) and possibly throttle cable and injector rewiring.

Deebs build

• any block will work, 99+ are stiffer
  99-02 rods and pistons, 93-99 crank for use in a 93-2002 car. 91-92 required for use in those years
  01+ lower block brace to stiffen things up (optional but ideal)
  91-93 flat faced version valves
  92-98 TWIN CAM head
  98 valve springs due to increased stiffness
  91-98 Intake manifold depending on year car it's going into
  91-92 OEM 4-2-1 exhaust manifold

This basic combination netted 133 horsepower at the wheels, which translates to 145+ at the crank. 124 is stock

Rod/Piston
If I am not mistaken it raises the rod/stroke ratio and therefore reduces piston to cylinder friction and also a longer r/s ratio will decrease dwell, and decrease instantaneous piston speeds. That's what your after. High revs w/ less stress.. The only reason that the 99+ motors did not increase in power was due to more constrictive port design in the 3 gen heads. Stock pistons have oil ring issues, this can be remedied by drilling holes in the oil ring land, or buying aftermarket pistons with better oil control.

The Crank
The crank is pre-99 but also should be aware of 2 versions of that style crank, 91-92 and 93-98 generally the first crank is over looked due to a different CPS setup. The middle generation of crank is selected here because it has less counter weights than the 99+ crank and less drive train weight the quicker revving the engine will be.

Valve Train
The 91-93 valves are flat faced, using these valves with the 99 pistons creates a increase in compression to approximately 9.75:1.(+.25:1) The 98+ valve springs are the stiffest. All valves purchased new from Saturn will be the higher spring rate.

Head
The 91 head is bad news don't torture yourself with it, otherwise its just pick a 92-98 big port. That group is split in to two major groups and must match harness and ECU to head, 92-94 vacuum EGR, and 95-98 Linear (electronic) EGR. 95 is an odd one out, 2 ECTSs. The head can also be milled to further increase the compression ratio. NOTE: decking the head causes the exhaust cam to become retarded due to the shorter distance between the crank and cam gears.

• .010" gets approximately 10:1
  .020" gets approximately 10.25:1
  .030" gets approximately 10.5:1
  .040" gets approximately 10.75:1

[siris]

A wild ghost appears

[Yerboogieman]

Pretty much lol. But it is important to note.

[PanSat]

So, hypothetical question

If you get ~10.75:1 compression with flat faced valves and a .040" milled head, would it be overkill to involve flattop pistons that'd take a stock motor to 10.2:1 on their own? What compression ratio would that net you, assuming that it doesn't just kill the motor deader than a doornail? Or would it be more reasonable to pick either a decked head or flattop pistons?