Would I be able to get away with the small 50HP NOS kit from NOS or Zex without running studs or o-ring head?

 

I've heard if you hit the NOS after 2000 rpms it's easier on the headgasket.

 

Personally i wouldn't try it.

 

I dunno if I'd wanna try that. My buddy popped his headgasket with water/meth and he was only at 45-48psi of boost.

 

While I'm no expert on NO2 and diesel performance, I think it is reasonable to expect that it will raise cylinder pressures....to what degree it will raise them is debatable - especially with just a 50 hp shot - but that is not what would concern me. It is the "Smarty+Drag Comp, DD3's, HTB2 turbo" in your sig that is what is really raising your cylinder pressures. Now, couple your existing bombs with that 50 hp shot and I think that could be asking a lot of your HG.

 

Cylinder pressure spikes are what pops headgaskets, correct? I remember Don M. saying he recommends nitrous over water/meth due to cylinder pressure spikes.. Talking with Timinva about nitrous he said use nitrous past your peak torque (2000 rpms) will be easier on the HG. The way I understand it, when the torque curve starts to flattens out that's when you want to have the nitrous come on. Of course this would only happen in a O/D locked 1/4 mile situation for me.

Either way it's a loaded question with too many variables. Some people have had bad luck with o-rings while others have run twins with 60 lbls of boost on retorqued stock headbolts.

 

The Smarty is only run with the no-timing (even #) settings. What else about my combo is raising cylinder pressure too much? Thanks

 

My buddy poped his 2 weeks ago with the same set-up that you have rightnow at 43# boost, so did getblown, so your already in the maybe it will, maybe it won't gang. SOOO.... take it for what its worth

 

The DD3's, the Comp, and the HTB2 are considerably raising it. The way I look at it as is that a 50 shot is more than say a water/meth mix (unless you're running a 50/50 mix). But it just seems to me that it would raise cylinder pressure a lot more. I would just go ahead and do studs and o-rings. Just my thoughts. Is your HTB2 a 64/14?

 

It's a 62/12 turbo. I'm looking into getting the studs installed and head o-ring'd. Need to call some shops and get a quote. With that work done would I be ok? What about trying bigger No2 shot? I'd like to get over 500HP and 1000 lb/ft. I am at 434/900 now.

 

If you're planing on going really high, you might want to just go with fire rings and studs and be done with it and not worry about it anymore.

 

CTD Neil:

I agree with what a few of the DTR Members here have already told you; don't do it without adding at least some 12mm studs and even better O-rings or even better than that firerings!

I see in your signature that you have a H.O. Cummins 5.9 with the 6-speed.
It is no secret that those engines are more prone to head gasket failure than the non H.O. model engines. IMO,....you are already pretty heavily "BOMBED" with your truck and I think adding the nitrous is going to "push you over the edge!" And as far as adding a water/meth. kit,.....IMO, that is really no better! I have some experience with the water/meth. kits and the methanol can cause it's own set of problems if not mixed right with the water. I had bad detonation problems with my 12 valve truck.

I am not trying to scare you here or anything, just hoping to give you some advice to save you some money from having to repair a damaged engine!
But,.....it's your truck, so whatever you decide,.....good luck to you!

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John_P

 

John_P, thanks for the info, If I do decide to run No2, I plan to get studs and O-ring head done first.

 

CTD_Neil:

You are welcome and your decision to get the studs and O-rings is a smart choice!

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John_P