This month's installment of our crate-motor series wraps up with three of the nastiest powerplants available anywhere: an LSX-block monster that is at home both on the street and on the strip, and two traditional Pontiac race engines. Nelson Racing Engines, Butler Performance, and Kauffman Racing Equipment have stepped up to offer these turbo and supercharger-fed neck-snappers.
Nelson Racing Engines
For the last 11 years, Nelson Racing Engines (NRE) in Chatsworth, California, has been turning out innovative and extremely powerful street and racing engines based on GM, Ford, and Chrysler designs. The company is especially well-known for its 1,500-plus-horsepower street engines and has been on the leading edge of technology with its LS-based designs.
Tom Nelson, president of Nelson Racing Engines, selected the 455ci twin-turbo LSX from the company's Hot Rod Series of turbocharged engines, as it represents horsepower levels unheard of in street cars. The emphasis is on performance, as well as value for the dollar. At $36,000, it's not at all cheap, but it offers very competitive performance compared to other combinations.
"This engine is built and designed for the guy who wants to drive the hell out of his car, with brutal power and extreme reliability," said Tom Nelson. "This motor will get you in the 8s at over 165 mph in the quarter-mile on pump gas." He adds: "This is intended for the crazies at heart."
Without a doubt, many late-model Pontiac fans (and maybe even some traditionalists) will take a hard look at this combination as reliable, four-figure street power for their machines.
Engine Buildup Worksheet
Price: $36,000
Engine displacement: 455 ci
Horsepower: 1,801
Torque: 1,685 lb-ft
Bore/stroke: 4.125-in bore, 4.25-in stroke
Block/crank combo: 9.7-in deck height GM LSX or RHS 97
Bore/stroke ratio: .97:1
Rod/stroke ratio: 1.48:1
Bottom End
Block: 2010 GM LS
Preparation: Measure and inspect
Deck height: 9.74-in
Crank: 2010 Callies Magnum 4340 forged
Preparation: Measure and inspect
Balancer: NRE custom billet
Rods: Oliver billet 6.300-in
Preparation: Measure and inspect
Bearings: Clevite H Series
Pistons: JE Pistons, custom NRE specs
Piston to deck height: 0.005-in
Piston pins: JE
Method used to retain piston pins in pistons: Double- spiral locks
Rings: Hell Fire
Rod bolts/head studs: ARP
Balancing specs: Balanced within 1 gram dynamic
Oiling System
Oil pan: GM
Oil pump: GM Performance Parts
Heads
Casting number: All Pro, six-bolts per cylinder, rectangular port
Chamber open/closed: Open
Head mods: Fully CNC-ported
Combustion chamber volume: 72 cc
Maximum flow at 28 inches of water:
Intake: 410 at 0.700-in lift
Exhaust: 265 at 0.700-in lift
Compression ratio: 8.8:1
Valves: REV, Inconel, 2.25/1.625-in
Angles used in valve job: Multiple
Retainers: Titanium
Keepers: 10-deg
Valve guides: Bronze
Valve seals: Viton
Rocker shafts: T&D
Rocker arms: Shaft-mounted, 1.7:1 roller
Pushrods: Smith Brothers 3/8-in
Cam
Brand: NRE billet solid-lifter
Duration at .050: Propietary grind, mid-230s
Valve springs: Manley
Seat pressure: 180 lb-in
Open pressure: 420 lb-in
Timing chain: GM
Induction
Type: EFI
Throttle body: BBK dual or Nelson single blade, 1,700 cfm
Fuel injectors: Siemens Deka, two per cylinder, 60-lb/hr
Fuel rails: Nelson custom
Computer (ECM): Custom
Fuel management system: Electromotive Tec 3
Intake manifold: NRE sheetmetal
Power Adder
Turbos: Two 72mm Turbonetics
Wastegates: TIAL 44mm V-Band billet
Blow-off valves: TIAL
Intercooler: Custom to your application
Maximum Boost Pressure: 36 psi on 116-octane race fuel, 14 on 91 octane
Ignition
Type: 60-tooth crank trigger
Wires: Taylor
Plugs: Autolite 3924
Exhaust
Headers: NRE stainless
Primaries: 1.875-in
Collector size: 3.00-in
Gaskets
Brand: SCE Copper Gaskets
Optional Upgrades and Prices
Electronic boost control: $1,000
Fully polished package: $2,500
Additional Items Required But Not Included
Charge piping, customer-supplied
Accessory drive: $1,000-$2,000
Starter: $300
Source
Nelson Racing Engines
(818) 998-5593
www.nelsonracingengines.com