Well I just picked up the latest issue of Hotrod. And I noticed once again the huge benifits of nitrous. I mean I bet a good 70% of the cars that were in this years pump gas drags were on nitrous. Now I keep hearing, that LT1's work great with nitrous. And I know a few local guys who have ran it on their cars for a while now.

And here I sit with my bolt on lt1 formy, wondering. I have about 90k on the clock. And I have a set of spair heads sitting in my bedroom. And I have always thought about doing a heads and cam swap. But the money always ends up getting spent for misc crap. Well I'm getting better at saving money. But.... I keep wondering. Should I just get a 100 shot and play with it?

So here is the thing. With 90k on the clock. Would running a 100 shot (wet) be pushing the envelope. From most of my reading I have been doing, it sounds like the safty systems have came along way. And I'm wondering if I should just slapmy 3000 stall in the car, and just replace the valve springs, and misc valvetrain, and put it on the gun. Does this sound rational? Or would I be better off sticking a mild cam in it, and save up for a short block in the mean while?

So for you nitrous guys out there, what would you suggest to guy like me?

Here is my current setup http://v8havoc.com/rides/gm/mike.htm

Mike

 

It all depends on goals with the car. Do you want your extra power there all the time, or only when the nitro is armed. Id say its going to cost you a lot more with nitrous than you think if you do it right. I have sprayed 150 (80K) with bolt ons in my car with no problems. Some will say that is pushing it on the stock fuel pump. 100 is by all means safe.
Another thing that is going to cost you is bottle refills. They are not too cheap sometimes.

I say keep on truckin along and go with your original plan with HDS/CAM . Stay focused and with time you will get it. You can always add your nitrous later after you get all of that fine tuned.

 

I forgot to add that I recently put a aftermarket walbro fuel pump in it. I really would mainly use it at the track only. Since I really try to stay out of street racing. And I goto the track maybe once evrey 2-3 months. So i really dont have to have the power there all the time.

Please keep the suggestions coming. Thanks 97LT1, you make some very good points.

Mike

 

Well being you have an upgraded fuel pump, then you wouldnt have to worry about 150 shot. The only thing your going to have to worry about is how much the motor can handle with stock internals. I have seen some use 200 shots on stock.

I looked at your mods , im thinking that you have an auto right?
Your suspension mods look good for holding some more power.
Since you say you dont have to have the power all the time.

I would check in to how much it will cost you with all the saftey stuff.
Your gonna want pressure gauge, bottle heater, window switch,blowdown tubing and fuel saftey cutoff to be safe + track legal with it. The nice extras are the auto bottle opener, and purge kit.

It cost me $60 to fill a 15LB bottle. It is like crack for your racecar , your gonna use it more than you want.

Honestly i spent just about as much on nitrous as would have gotten my heads ported by loyd elliot. I wound up selling off my NX kit a few months back. Anytime you sell performance stuff you take a big loss usually. That is why i say go with what you already have planned. I think there is nothing like permanent power.

One advantage is that nitrous is not gulping gas unless you use it. Heads and cam slightly increase your consumption assuming your not flooring it all the time. I think the cam sound and power outweighs this minor setback however.

 

Run the 150 shot, 100 is ok, but 150 is better and the 200, that the stuff that races are won with. Run a ngk tr-6 plug ,150 will be fine on stock timing. I have been on a 150 for a year now, no problems, i put the 200 shot in a while back i pulled two degrees from my tune, but i think that only put it back to stock timing. I did have 109 race gas in my stand alone tank. I'm pushing 135,000 miles. The Lt1's can hold it. IF you have an anto put a window switch in, along with a fuel safety switch, but i doubt you will have any problems with the new fuel pump. You shouldn't need a clutch if you are on the street , the track is a different story. My auto zone clutch held fine with the 200 shot. 150 all the way

 

Keep the suggestings comming guys. Both you guys are giving great information.

My goals for the car on this motor is, very low 12's or high 11's. I'm running 13.3 on a stock converter. But I picked up a midwest 3000 stall with a nitrous balloon plate a few months ago. So I figure that will get me into the high 12's. And maybe a little bit nitrous like a 100 shot to get me into my goals. Then I'll build somthing from the ground up. But I guess I could go with my original route too. But I'm looking at my options.

Thanks guys, your input is much appreciated, keep it coming.

Mike

 

LEAVE IT STOCK!!!

 

Go for it!

Be ready to dish out some cash if you want it done right. The cost of a single fogger kit, window switch, fpss, purge, gauge, bottle heater, all add up your probably looking at $1000+ when its all done, plus fills. But it is great power, and pretty tough to beat.
LT1's are good nitrous motors. I run a SBC with a Miniram intake (looks just like an LT1 intake). It flows the wet shot real well, I put a 300 shot in from in front of the TB, so it all goes through the manifold, and no distribution problems even at that level. 150 is probably the most you should go on the stock bottom end especially with your miles, but a 150shot pulls real hard you will be happy with it.
Vinny

 

You'll love it. I've been running nitrous on my stock bottom end for 6years now. 150 shot with a head and cam set up. I use it alot. Times in sig. Good luck.

 

now do you have to have a purge? Like dont some purge through the motor?

You guys keep saying 150 shot, quit giving me ideas, 100 should be plenty for the low 12s im looking for lol.

Mike

 

Oh an other question. I have the delteq, can I still run a window switch without buying a expensive MSD unit?

Mike

 

I've been spraying 150 shot for a while at 135k and no problem , except its hard on the a-4s.I just installed cc306 w/1.6rr & stage2 heads.Doing tranny now & replacing my broke flex-plate