Thread: Nitrous on a ZZ4 Crate engine??

Tweet

I have a ZZ4 engine in my pleasure boat and was toying with the idea of putting a little nitrous kit on it. I know they are not the best engine to put it on, but I've ran it for several years and it don't owe me anything. I just don't want to take my baseball glove with me to catch all the parts the first time I try it.

Does anyone have any experience on putting a 100 / 150 HP kit on these engines and will they handle it for short bursts. Any input will be helpfull.

Thanks
The Bald Man

Nitrous is not a good idea for a pleasure boat. Nitrous increases Hp and also RPM's, on a boat, you do not need Hp's but high RPM's so, just get your engine capable of cranking 7-8000 RPM's and you should go pretty fast, there is really no need for NOS on a boat, I don't even know if it's legal. Also, to get a good sound, if you havent arleady, put some liquid cooled headders on it, thele increase power also but, that's not inportant. To answer your initial question, yes I do belive so but, it needs tinkering before it is installed ( so the motor dosent blow up ), as I said, yes it's possible for a ZZ4 but, I do not recomend it for a boat.

Thanks, I don't need any advice about boats. I know about boats. I have raced for several years and know what makes a race boat go fast.
I just need to know if anyone has put nitrous on a ZZ4.

They have hypereutectic pistons and they don't like nitrous. Forged pistons use loose skirt to wall tolerances so you should be able to hone the cylinder to the correct diameter even if the engine has a few hours on it. In that case, I would just drop forged pistons in. You have a forged bottom end and PM rods so the rest of the engine should hold together ok.

Thanks, 76GM, I have been told the same by several other guys. I was just hoping that it could be done safely in small doses, just to put a smile on my face when the race boat is parked. May swap out pistons if I still have the craving.
Here's couple of my small blocks. Ones a 434ci Dart block, pro-comp-1 heads that dynos at 565HP and the other is a little 383ci that makes 445 hp.

You could just put one of those blocks in and give me the zz4. I'm sure they'll tollerate a little nitrous.

Are you taking on water in that pic? Looks like your bilge pump is on.

Not taking any water; That's the exit line for the oil cooler. I exit there so I can feel the temp with my hand. I'd like to put a little N0S on the 434ci but it's the race engine and it's not allowed. 383ci would be nice with a whipplecharger!