Just enough Horsepower.

[Jim Bremner]

1400 HP NRE Sleeper. Tom Nelson. Nelson Racing Engines. NRE. NRE TV. Chevelle. - YouTube

[speeder]

I don't get it.

Does it do the 1/4 mile in 1/3 the time of a 450 hp version? What is the chassis reasonably rated for, 500 hp? (meaning brakes/handling/etc.)

Sure it will really melt the tires on a suburban street, but that gets old after a few times even when you're 17. And you sure don't need 1400 hp to do it.

And before you call me "a hater", I don't hate it. I just don't get it either.

[pavulon]

I'd think the point is that it's simultaneously way over-kill, way under-stated, relatively practical and not entirely looney tunes expensive.

[speeder]

The fast, sleeper old Chevelle part I get just fine. What I don't get is the supposed 1400 hp part. And when I say, "supposed", I mean that I don't believe that it has exactly 3x the the power of a ~460hp V-8. Not for a second. Unless HP is somehow measured on a diminishing return type curve. What is the torque at what rpm for this motor? HP of course cannot be measured, only torque, and then HP is extrapolated from the torque figure. If this thing really has 1000+ lbs./ft. of measurable torque, I'm impressed.

What I'm not impressed by is that I'm sure it is only marginally quicker, if at all, then a well set-up 4-500 HP '64 Chevelle from 0-60 or in the 1/4 mile. It has monstrous torque that can spin the tires at any time, (whopee!), big deal in the real world of performance driving. Excess power is like taking a whole bottle of vitamin C every day, only the amount you can use does anything. The rest you piss out, or use to ruin your tires in suburbia in this case.

[pavulon]

I don't know much about LSx motors other than their are zillions of them out there already and they seem remarkably cheap and durable. Might not be that much more expensive to build 1K turbo V8 hp than 600 turbo V8 hp. The guy may have wanted to do it once with the best parts and dial it back electronically if it's too much. I wouldn't really want to do a car exactly like that (although a really well suspended twin turbo SBF early Mustang would rock my world) but the owner must have wanted it that way.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I'd think the point is that it's simultaneously way over-kill, way under-stated, relatively practical and not entirely looney tunes expensive.

Oohh...Nelson goodies are looney tunes expensive. Try 6-figs for a Twin Turbo v8 set-up.

I have an acquaintance that moved out to Ca to do fabrication work for him.

[ckelly78z]

That car would be alot of fun to cruise around and surprise a few people......no particular reason, just for fun.

[Jim Bremner]

Yes, it's claimed 1k hp on pump gas and the chassis doesn't handle that. There's zero reason to try for 1,400 unless you're doing Boneville but the car lacks safety.

Still the car is bad !

LSX motors have six bolts per main two of them are vertical and throught the block As long as you don't lean out the A/F your good to go with stupid HP

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

Oohh...Nelson goodies are looney tunes expensive. Try 6-figs for a Twin Turbo v8 set-up.

I have an acquaintance that moved out to Ca to do fabrication work for him.

please state that price includes the rest of the car...if not, the recession must be over.

[911SauCy]

No sir-e-bob...

Stuff adds up quick... Plus all their fabrication time...

Look at the Mustang for example. It has 2 completely separate fuel systems, all custom made.

There is no "bolt-on" stuff at NRE

[BlueSkyJaunte]

...and no headrests. Brilliant.

[Por_sha911]

The old Chevelles had a full frame. I don't see why they couldn't add a few mods to handle the extra twist. 1K HP? I doubt it but I'm sure its a monster. What cracks me up is that most times, these street hot rods have plenty of power but not enough brakes.
So why do it? The same reason VW built the Veyron: to prove it can be done. Great to bring to the local car club shows for bragging rights with the fellows...
I had a `67 Chevelle with a 396/375 HP 4 bolt main Vette engine (that was worked 30 overbore, solid lifter high rise cam), 456 gears... It could light up 15x10s at any speed in any gear. I was 20 yo and cruising but 5 MPG wasn't any fun.

[ZAMIRZ]

He mentions the full DSE suspension under it while the car's on the rack, which is about as good as it gets without re-engineering the entire car and going with a full custom chassis.

The engine is really what you pay for with Nelson. None of it comes cheap, that's why it puts up the numbers and drives as nice as it does. He'll build it for whatever you want too, there are a few GT40 replicas running around with Ford guts + twinturbo and will do 250 at the top end after the gearing and aero are sorted out.

[slow&rusty]

Tom Nelson is a brilliant, love his fab work and creations..amazing and been a fan of his for years.
Yasin

[LWJ]

1400 hp? Perhaps. My BIL has a turbo mustang 351 that makes about 1000 hp at the crank. Dedicated drag car. He used to have a 5 liter that made 700 hp until it broke.

Cost? Ridiculusly cheap. Megasquirt and home brew parts. He is sort of the low-buck HP guru.

I have never had a ride. Sort of scared.

Larry

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by LWJ

1400 hp? Perhaps. My BIL has a turbo mustang 351 that makes about 1000 hp at the crank. Dedicated drag car. He used to have a 5 liter that made 700 hp until it broke.

Cost? Ridiculusly cheap. Megasquirt and home brew parts. He is sort of the low-buck HP guru.

I have never had a ride. Sort of scared.

Larry

My uncle is the same way with the home brew stuff...and it's always breaking.

Take a peek on YouTube or NRE website at his videos of engine dynos.

His engines make hundreds and hundreds of pulls, he takes them apart and the good look like they've run 20 minutes...

The stuff they put together is simply incredible

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

The old Chevelles had a full frame. I don't see why they couldn't add a few mods to handle the extra twist. 1K HP? I doubt it but I'm sure its a monster. What cracks me up is that most times, these street hot rods have plenty of power but not enough brakes.
So why do it? The same reason VW built the Veyron: to prove it can be done. Great to bring to the local car club shows for bragging rights with the fellows...
I had a `67 Chevelle with a 396/375 HP 4 bolt main Vette engine (that was worked 30 overbore, solid lifter high rise cam), 456 gears... It could light up 15x10s at any speed in any gear. I was 20 yo and cruising but 5 MPG wasn't any fun.

Braking requirements have to do with weight and speed, not HP.

If the car is heavier, it needs better braking.
If it is expected to reach higher top speeds, it needs more braking.
If they need ot stomp on the brakes more often than before, then fade becomes an issue, and that has as much to do with brake coolnig as braking ability.
if it is not heavier and will not reach higher top speeds and won't use the brakes harder and more often, then the braking needs are unchanged.
But I guess it would be safe to say if someone builds a 1400 hp car they will probably end up going at a higher top rate of speed than before.