Guys a pushrod V8 is not going to rev up to 9000rpm without solid lifters. Once you get into solid lifters you then get into constant maintenance - adjusting the valve lash every few hundred miles. Pushrod V8's can rev and make big power but they aren't maintenance free.

Switching to a hydraulic roller setup cuts the maintenance significantly but will reduce max rpms to 7000-7500 range. The hydraulic system breaks down at higher rpms unfortunately.

Yes, Nelson makes beautiful engines, but some customers wait 2+ years to get one.

I say start with a new Ford 5.0 and go from there. With the DOHC setup it can support 8000rpm, it flows like a mother, you can hit 100hp/l naturally aspirated, it's lighter than an M3's V8 and it sounds fantastic.

Oh and it's cheap and the aftermarket is rapidly growing.

Remember Koeniggsegg started originally with a Ford based block. . .

 

The engine from Nelson I was referring to is not pushrod. It is DOHC. It is 95% a brand new design from Nelson Racing Engines. The crank and bearings is Chevy tech, but everything else is their own. The block is Billet Aluminum and in small block form it is available up to 500ci, a SBC will only get up to 454 with a custom block with wider bore spacing.
It is designed to rev to 9000rpm.


About the 2 years wait, what you are probably referring to are the people who get full car builds. That means a brand new custom interior, suspension, restored to perfect everything, AND a new engine/transmission.
Not sure how long it would take to get just an engine. Lots of the engines people buy are custom spec, not one of the "production" crates he offers. (there is a chance I am wrong but this is the impression I get)

 

TT 5.4L Ford GT engine~850hp or TT 5.2L Gallardo engine~850hp. Obviously both can produce more but they can easily do 800ish, and sound AMAZING.

 

Heh, this is true....

Nelson has rebuilt the major aspects of my uncle's car. Which you can ask member Fuelandfire, was already a very very high end build.

One of the reasons it takes so long, is nelson is going to build whatever he is asked to build the right way and to the next level. Every time I have been to the shop, which has been one too many, you can't help but mutter, holy++++ when looking at some of his creations.

 

An LSX should go up to about 500ci but there are very few of those in existence.

This new Nelson motor sounds very interesting. Any information out there on it?

 

Just saw the Nelson engine video and must say that that thing is a beaut.

Can't wait to see the heads.

It's all very impressive. Always wanted to build my own motor . . . maybe a V10 based off a SBC/LSX LOL.

 

Thanks so much for all the great ideas!

I have e mailed Nelson and Holshot, will keep you posted! Love the idea of Nelsons 860hp V8 but I also love the weight of the 3.0 V8 and the gearboxes that I could fit to that...(drove a Formel renault with a g-box that would fit this engine and loved it!) Think we could get the car down to 750-800kg with the 500 hp V8 set up... ;-) That would not suck at all! Will keep you posted!

The car is being tested again after some mods to the head gasket so I hope that will solve things for now! That way I could play with that while thinking of this! ;-) ;-)

/JON

 

Jon, my Camaro was built by Nelson and if you'd like I can do an email intro with you guys or let me know if I can facilitate in any way. Tom is an amazing builder with great vision but, like other wrenchers, he's not always the easiest to communicate with.

 

Just got an answer from Nelson...

He suggested a 427 TT, meaning he suggested that a 1650hp engine would be a good daily driver alternative. He is insane!!! I love him already!

That would have a 3-4 month delivery time for the guys that was discussing delivery times from Nelson...

Will keep you posted!

/JON

 

^^ That's brilliant!