i have a 429 i am wondering about alcohol how do i do it and is it possible on carb engine , what kind of hp gains to expect

 

Alcohol is a racing fuel, there is no practical way to run it on the street.
Any carb can be adapted, jet sizes have to be increased amoung other things. Cylnder bores and rings don't tast long either and oil will need changed frequently.

 

Are you talking more about something like E85 (Ethanol/Gasoline blend)? E85 can be run on the street - that's what dual fuel vehicles can be run on.

 

engine is for a mud racing buggy it doesnt need to to be street freindly . are thier kits to buy and from were? is nitrus a better option to go with. engine is 71 429 dove heads port&polished wiend stealth 850 holly crane cam dur @50226 230 ,adv dur 288, 292. 112lobe sep 522 530 lift. 10.5 forged pistons . what do you recomend alcohol or nos? if nos how much will this motor handle cheeter 150-250 hp gain? also if anyone has a desk dyno what kind of hp and tork am i looking at with and with out nos and alcohol

 

you won't get much of an increase in power if any. if you want to run alcohol and get some major power you need to increase compression or add a blower this way you can use alcohols high antiknock value to your addvantage plus what ever low milage you are getting now it will only get worse because you have to dump more fuel to keep the engine running. nos is the better option just not a 150 shot that could seriously screw things up. just go 75 - 100 shot that should do you

 

Alcohol works well as a "Drag Racing" (Mud Buggy) fuel however, it requires alot of work and special parts. The carb must be designed for it. The fuel pump(s), hoses, regulators, anything fuel system related must be desgined for alcohol.

The engine suffers from the use of it. Alcohol, because it lacks the BTU's that gasoline has requires the typical engine to be run on twice the amount of fuel (an engine will burn 2 gallons of alcohol to make the same power as it would on one gallon of gasoline). This dilutes the engine oil with every run. The diluted oil is rough on engine bearings, rings, seals, etc. The oil must be monitored and changed regularly (typically every 3-6 runs) An additional cylinder lubricant must be used in the alcohol to compensate for the lack of lubrication properties in alcohol and the fact that the oil is constantly being washed from the cylinder walls.

Have a look at the links below, it's just some information I could quickly find for you. More is out there and with a little research you could make a decision on which way you wanted to go.


http://www.jimcookperformance.com/TechNotes/TN33.html

http://www.abmmotorsports.com/abmmotor/carbs.htm

http://www.pro-blend.com/tech2110.html


Now, the Nitrous system. If I was building an engine for mud racing this would be my choice (short of supercharging). I have raced Nitrous injected (up to 450 hp Pro-Fogger systems) in my Mustang. I can tell you with confidence that a well designed engine and Nitrous system will stand up to anything you can throw at it. You have a good start, Forged pistons are the first step however, if you are still using a factory crankshaft and connecting rods, 200 hp will be the maximum I would recommend and keep it below 6000 RPM. If you are using a high quality aftermarket crank and rods (stay away from aluminum, to expensive to maintain) and the rotating assembly is balanced you can easily use a "well designed" nitrous system of any size.

I believe the key to running a Nitrous injection system effectively is protecting the engine by using built-in (this is where "well designed" comes into play) safety devices. Automatic system shut-offs in the case of fuel or oil pressure loss as an example.

These are just my thoughts. If this will be your first attempt at nitrous, I would recommend starting small (100-150 hp), maybe with an adjustable system and work you way up. Trust me, you can make junk out of very good engine in just a few seconds...

Good Luck!

 

BandB...what kind of a nitrous set up would you use for these trucks? I have a 408 balanced and forged bottom end. Thinking about a 200hp shot. Your thoughts sir?

 

Tess 100...you can use this also

"94f150" I took the liberty of looking at your gallery... Nice engine and truck. The question you are asking can be a loaded one. Your 408 will (or does) make plenty of power (with or without) the supercharger. I can only guess that you are wanting a little extra "kick-in-the-pants"?

If you are going to run the supercharger and nitrous I would be conservative on the nos. 100-150 hp would be my limit for two reasons. The driveline will already be under a tremendous strain from the 408's torque and the additional "boost" of power from a large nitrous system could lead to major component failure (ie transmission or always a favorite, the driveshaft, instant olympic event without safety loops).

Secondly, damaging the supercharger or trying to keep drive belts on the thing. "The first set-up on my Mustang had a V-1 (T-trim) with (at the time a 300hp NOS system) I could not keep belts on the thing. The engine accelerates so rapidly that I would pull the belt (10 rib) off of the supercharger. I finally changed to a 2 in wide cogged belt similar to top fuel (just not as wide) which solved the belt problem. That's where the supercharger damage started. Granted, in a heavy truck, it wouldn't accelerate as fast but, it is my opinion that supercharger damage can still result with a large system)"

If you are going straight nitrous, with the 408, then I would still stay below the 300 mark. Obviously, I do not know what experience level you have with nitrous and the reason I would be conservative is this, Large nitrous systems are extremely violent. What, I mean by that, is when a larger system is engaged the entire driveline takes a shock load. If there is a weak link, u-joint, clutch plate, etc. it will let go.

A couple of other notes and I will quit. With Fords fuel injected intakes I am not crazy about wet intake nitrous systems. I have had problems with fuel puddling in the intake. Having installed several "dry" systems on cars for others and the customers have had great success. I have seen to many Nitrous explosion which were fuel problem related to worry with wet intake systems.

Direct Port on the other had is my favorite. Much more complicated to install but, the added benefits are worth it. Metered fuel and nitrous at each cylinder. I have put these on cars (below 250 hp) with completely stock fuel systems and had great success.

Here is a good system that I have used on several cars...

http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/NOS/NOSNS/PSFog.html


Below, I have added a couple of links. Like I told "Tess 100" a well designed systems is the key. When I have someone wanting a system, the first thing I ask them is why? Are they wanting to race (like tess100 with the mud buggy, which is totally cool) or use it on the street. Each vehicle and driver has a unique style and use (just like your truck) and the system must meet that style.

I have used systems and components from both of these manufactures. They have always been very helpful.


http://www.barrygrant.com/nitrous/default.aspx

http://www.holley.com/nosnitrous/index.html

 

BandB...Thanks for the links, I'll take a look at them.. I'm not installing the SuperCharger on the F150, just the 408.

I would like to use nitrous for that occasional kick-in-the-pants on the street. I was thinking somewhere in the range of a 200 hp shot. How does that sound for this engine? I would also like all of the safety stops and equipment on the system.

I will have the Walbro 255lph pumps installed in the tanks hopefully be the end of next week and then the engine will go in it. I have been working at the electric fans and some other wiring.

What are the fuel requirements for a 200 hp shot and how are the fuel requirments accomplished? I am currently running the 42lb FMS injectors in this engine without the SuperCharger. I also have a set of modified injectors that are 77lb/hr along with some stock ones and a set of 30's if any of these can be of any use for this?

I havent played around with nitrous for probably 20 years or so. The safety aspects of the systems back then was pretty crude. I broke alot of parts! What a rush though! I had a 200 hp direct system on a 2000cc Datsun engine...yeehaaa!!!

So, anyhow, I'm still fairly "new" to the world of the juice, and would like to set it up right...where I dont break parts!!

Thanks