Lower conpression: better or worse for the "squeeze"

I'm having some newer/better pistons put into my ls1 - and the question popped up: lowering the compression? I've heard that lower it down to 9-9.5 helps protect the engine, while also giving it one hell of a hit when squeezing. I wasn't 100% sure, so I thought I'd run past some of you guys.

KASR

contrary to somes belief, when using nitrous, the CR is not a issue. you can go as high as you want really, although i would just stick close to stock if you're planning on driving the car alot.

the only real need to lower CR is when using a FI PA. when slapping on a blower or turbo, usually people will run 8:1/8.5:1 CR. and even in a bosted application, you COULD run a higher CR, you just wouldnt be able to run as much psi. the less CR you have, the more boost you can run. typically, a lower CR motor with alot of boost will make more power than a high CR motor with a little boost.

but with a n2o motor, lowering the CR will not make a difference. if anything, you should raise it a little.




jon

It all depends on what size shot you're planning on running, if you feel like running race gas, and how often you plan on running N/A vs spray. If you want to run a big shot on pump gas, then yea, a little less copression than stock would be benifical. If you're only looking at 100-150 shot on pump gas, you can get away with stock or a little higher compresion by pulling out some timing.

Also, if you're not planning on running on the juice most of the time, then you probably wont like 9.-9.5 compression, since you're not going to be making the same power N/A as a higher compression motor - Kinda like running a blower motor with no boost.

Course there's a lot to be said about going with lower compression and being able to squeeze a 300shot on 93 Octane :D Torque monster :eek:

Just figure out what you want from your motor and how you plan on running your car before you pick your pistons (or cam for that matter)...

i wouldnt worry about the copression...if your like the everyday joe and u drive the car on the street and take it to the track once everywhile and will spray up to 150....then thats not an issue