Turbo or Nitrous for my LT1?

[freeskier7791]

Hey guys,

I am wanting more power in my LT1.  I already have a cam, and valvetrain mods, and also have ARP rod studs and main bolts.  Engine is a gen II SBC (LT1), 2 bolt main, stock crank.  What would be better for longevity, a 100 shot of nitrous or a turbo at 8 psi?  I have no problem changing pistons but don't want to spend the money on heads yet...

[digitalsolo]

I like turbos because you don't have to refill them or remember to open the bottle. 

[cool]

I'm a nitrous guy.  I assume you have a high volume fuel pump and a wideband o2 already in the car.  if not, you need both.  You can do a basic wet kit that pulls fuel from your fuel rail for around $600.  I would add a window switch and a bottle heater at minimum.  A remote timing controller is nice for making quick easy changes.  100hp isn't much for that motor, so I'd run a 1 step colder plug (copper, non projected tip) and start with 4* of timing retard.  This would be a good baseline to work from.  Learn how to read plugs, and if possible datalog o2s and knock activity to make sure you are staying safe.  I usually shoot for 11.8:1 air/fuel on the kit and will adjust timing, fuel or nitrous jets depending on the plugs and how the car responds.  You can add other safeguards like a fuel pressure cutoff switch and/or an A/F lean cutoff switch to shut the kit down if you lose fuel pressure or your A/Fs go beyond your limit.

Nitrous is $7/lb in my area.  On a 100 shot with a 10lb bottle you'll probably get around 10 consistent pulls before you start seeing bottle pressure causing tune up changes.  That's the downside to nitrous - its cheap up front but costs a lot if you use it often.   

[freeskier7791]

I like turbos because you don't have to refill them or remember to open the bottle. 

That is true!

I'm a nitrous guy.  I assume you have a high volume fuel pump and a wideband o2 already in the car.  if not, you need both.  You can do a basic wet kit that pulls fuel from your fuel rail for around $600.  I would add a window switch and a bottle heater at minimum.  A remote timing controller is nice for making quick easy changes.  100hp isn't much for that motor, so I'd run a 1 step colder plug (copper, non projected tip) and start with 4* of timing retard.  This would be a good baseline to work from.  Learn how to read plugs, and if possible datalog o2s and knock activity to make sure you are staying safe.  I usually shoot for 11.8:1 air/fuel on the kit and will adjust timing, fuel or nitrous jets depending on the plugs and how the car responds.  You can add other safeguards like a fuel pressure cutoff switch and/or an A/F lean cutoff switch to shut the kit down if you lose fuel pressure or your A/Fs go beyond your limit.

Nitrous is $7/lb in my area.  On a 100 shot with a 10lb bottle you'll probably get around 10 consistent pulls before you start seeing bottle pressure causing tune up changes.  That's the downside to nitrous - its cheap up front but costs a lot if you use it often.

I already have a Zex wet controller and a bottle, and can tune my ECU easily.  I have a Walbro 255, would I need more pump?  Wideband isn't an issue either.  I wonder how long a bottle would last drifting, my runs are around 30 seconds long.

[cool]

255 is plenty.  It depends on how you're using it drifting... I would think a turbo is better for that application.

[freeskier7791]

255 is plenty.  It depends on how you're using it drifting... I would think a turbo is better for that application.

Cool, I'll see what I end up doing. Turbo system takes up a lot of space but would be fun fabricating

[Cobranut]

I'd think that nitrous would be tough to control in a drifting application. 
It's basically a step in power level, and you can't really run it at less than WOT.

I'd recommend the turbo.

[scuter83]

I have never tried drifting, but I would think a supercharger would be better due to instant response.  I imagine if you get a turbo small enough to spool well at high rpm you would get good response as well, but supercharger would guarantee that.

[freeskier7791]

I have never tried drifting, but I would think a supercharger would be better due to instant response.  I imagine if you get a turbo small enough to spool well at high rpm you would get good response as well, but supercharger would guarantee that.

I have thought about a supercharger as well, but they are definitely more expensive.  I would rather run a small turbo, like a T3 or something

[freeskier7791]

I am going to do nitrous first, and then eventually pull the motor and do a full turbo build

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