Well, it's come down to this last big decision before I'm done with the cost list. A little background:

On the agenda is a 355 all forged motor. Fully ported heads, emissions-legal aftermarket exhaust. After looking over my build sheet yesterday, it is time to cut some major costs. Part of that was solved by going with a T/A instead of a Z28 (LT1) for personal reasons that saved $2000 on the wish list. Problem is, I'm still looking at 17.5-18k for the entire project. This was with a used Vortech S-trim and a water injection. I love the thought of a blown 355 LT1, but I'm concerned. About price, about long-term viability, etc.

I've never really liked nitrous as a power adder. Always thought of it as a crutch. But looking at complete kits for less than $1000, I am rethinking this philosophy (I never liked body lifts on Jeeps either, but I ended up getting, and liking one).

I know if done properly, both can be done safely and effectively. 500rwhp + is a goal, so is timeslips in the 11-11.5 area. Reliability is a must, as are affordability and convienence.

You could say I'm right in the middle. Since I'm so early in the planning stages, I don't think it hurts to ask this question.

 

it comes down to ....
do you want the power all the time....or only when you have a full bottle.........?????


I have both...... I like the blower........IMOP

 

How about having both. They do compliment eachother and add more power. And since your already have or getting forged internal there snot a whole lot you have to worry about besides the fuel reqirements.

 

Blower IMO! Dont have to worry about runing out of boost. If your building the entire motor why not go blower. Boost is a little more forgiving than gas. GAS will produce same HP if not more, and faster ets. Price will have a range of what people have spent on blower and motor(5-25k). Nitrous will be cheaper!

 

Nitrous.

You used the R word (reliability)

 

That's what I was thinking. Plus, I would like to autox the car, and a s/c probably wouldn't be too good.

Cheaper and reliable is the key for me. Is there anything I would need to change from the s/c setup?

And, what would I need to add?

 

Reliability? Would you rather whack the motor with 100-150 hp at once or have a nice linear increase. I'll say "replace solenoids often" before someone says "progressive controller".

Cheaper? Lets do the list. Since buying used nitrous parts is really rolling the dice, we'll consider new stuff.

Good Nitrous kit: $560
Purge: $100
Window switch: $80
Good Bottle Warmer: $200
Remote Bottle Opener: $220

Thats $1160 for a good kit + bottle refills. You can find perfect S-trim kits on here all the time for 1600-1800. So, after you go through a few bottles, you're right where you were before with, in my opinion, less reliability -both from a motor stand point and a system stand point.

So for price and long term viability for your goals with the LT-1, I'll have to say blower.