Way back in the mid 80's I used to be a nitrous junkie running the snot out of my GS, running 10.90's on the squeeze with an NOS system cheater kit using the stage 3 jets. Had nothing fancy in the engine. .030 over Seal Power 10 to 1 forged aluminum pistons, stock rods no girdle. Never blew the engine, though I did break quite a few trannys. As I use to love to cruise up to those bad boy Chevies doing about 40, manually drop her into low 1 bury the peddle and hit the juice. It was usually over for the Chevy in a few seconds. But the trans never seemed to liked it:grin: But it was a fantastic feeling:TU: Anyway I had my stock rods refitted with ARP bolts, shot peened, fluxed and polished, used also main and head studs, balanced short block. That was basically it. She ran like a raped ape, back at the '88 Nats I went through 2 full bottles along with my Sneaky Pete 2 pounder running 11 or 12 quarter mile passes. Anyway ask around on the makes and shop around for the best deal, but just be certain that you use forged aluminum. If your doing a street car with the juice you really don't need to get the exotic high dollar stuff. With the forged aluminum if you happen to lean out the forged will give you the best chance of not blowing a hole in the piston. Also make sure your rods are good and use a stud kit, along with good oil pressure. And most important watch thoughs rpm's, keep it under 6,000 if possible. Best of luck Rick Martinez
I agree with Rick M., I hit my 462 with 200 shot of juice on a regular basis for 5 years. Motor was 11 to 1, zero deck with sealed power forged (stock) pistons w/valve reliefs, stock rods with ARP bolts, resized after installation, Iron heads, no girdles or studs, TA solid cam, SP 1 intake w/1050 dominator. In my '65 Skylark Convertible, I ran 11.20 @ 118mph, and 10.44 @128mph on the squeeze. I was told that this combo. lasted as long as it did because of the Sealed Power pistons' are heavy, but like I said after 5 years of abuse, things went away, Spun a bearing, pistons had cracks running thru the valve reliefs down to the ring lands, and the piston pins on a couple pistons were galled and did not "float" anymore. I was always told by several "Buick guys" do not "hit the 455 with more than a 100 shot, any more and you'll drive over your crank......Well, the car loved the 150 so the next step was 200. Good luck and have fun. Gary G.
I agree with you. Man sounds like similar engines we had. I'm from the Greg Gessler School of KISS; "Keep It Simple Stupid":laugh: . Regarding the limit of runs with juice, thats hogwash. If you watch the R's and have good oil pressure things should stay together. I retired my engine and it was still running, though it was tired from all the abuse. They were the good old days. Simple rebuilds, low compression, juice, a real street legal GS (all steel), and a ton fun with the stop light action and occassional street racing. But the need for speed grabs you and never lets go, so onward to the fickle, delicate balance of maxing out a 455 to attempt to reach the speed of light, pass the extra cash and asprin please...but its still FUN!!!!! Rick
Oh no, now you got me thinking about it. I've seen that "Top Shot" setup where you just slip it over your carb stud on top and run a line out the back of the filter base so no one can see it. The insanity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I srayed my buick 350 for 2 years with speed pro forged pistons with no problems. Best 11.22 at 117 at 3650 lbs.. I am build a new car right now 70 skylark should go 10.60s with a huge weight reduction. I will find out this summer. Jeff
THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES,I DROPPED MY COMPRESSION TO 9.5 TO 1,SHOULD MAKE 500 HORSEYS WITHOUT JUICE.TELL YOU ALL WHAT ITS LIKE IN THE SPRING.
Sounds bought what im gonna do, I just bought these and plan on running a 150 shot. Plan on running main and head studs plus have the the block line honed... oh yeah the rods will get arp's studs and be resized... gotta talk to the machine shop on what else I can do the rods... might trade in the 875 holley for a 1050 dominator, wur see how money goes and the 875 does. But it sounds like I should have no problems... I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes this summer... hopefully some 10 sec time slips (and no broken tranny's). ANDY
Hey you juice guys, to let you know nitrous oxide will be allowed in ALL race classes at the BPG Nats this August! Start filling those tanks! Rick Martinez
Hey Phil, Just in case, I thought I'd let you know. I have one of thost Top Shot Modules (unused) I was going to use before I went the SC route. It's just the module (no lines, or bottle, or silynoids). You can get it new through summit for 130 bucks........ I'd sell it with shipping for 80...... something to think about Rich
Regal455 (andy) Your gonna spray? SWEET!!! Hey keep me informed.....it's same route I plan on taking with my Regal. later
Yeah, well lawyer didnt get me what his ballpark figure was with my injury settlement for a crash that happened about a year ago... soo the super charger is out of mind, but nitrous is still in the range, I'm just gonna build a "fail safe" system (seperate fuel pump, oil and fuel pressure switches, and a rpm window)... im hoping 150 will get me in the low 11's maybe tens... im shooting for high 11's on the motor. I guess Ill just have to get it all together, prolly see you all at the BPG nationals. ANDY
It's like rick says, forged pistons are a must. With a decent set of rods and forgings a 150 shot of sauce is not a problem. Have installed and tested on 455 stage one's to the tune of 11.00 in conv. street trim. Keep an eye on the fuel pressure and always watch for signs of detonation. No2+detonation=1 dead Buick Just make sure to keep the timing back at least two degress per every hundred horse of sauce. I have the digital 6 msd that has a nitrous retard built right in so normal timing cruisin and retarded timing whwnever the laughing gas is introduced, it works really well.
Safety switch I ALWAYS recommend a fuel safety cut-off switch. Most swiches are adjistable and it money well spent when you consider how much a rebuild will cost. It wont keep Nitrous idiot proof but it will save you if you fuel system is not up to the task.
