Nelson Racing Engines' 1,200 HP Pump-Gas Crate Engine
Nelson Racing Engines offers a twin-turbo 427 cubic inch V8 crate engine producing 1,200 horsepower on 91 octane pump gas, with pricing starting at
Nelson Racing Engines (NRE) has introduced a twin-turbocharged crate engine capable of 1,200 brake horsepower on standard 91 octane pump gasoline. The California-based firm builds each 427 cubic inch V8 to order, dyno-testing it before shipment, with the package starting at $41,999.
Founded by Tom Nelson in Chatsworth in 1995, the company's origins trace back to his father's turbocharged De Tomaso Pantera in the 1980s. Nelson built his first engines in his grandmother's garage before acquiring a machine shop with a dynamometer. Early work focused on boost big-blocks for offshore powerboats before a shift to turbocharging.
A twin-turbo small-block Chevrolet package debuted at the 1999 PRI Trade Show. In 2006, NRE built the "F-Bomb," a twin-turbo 1973 Camaro, for Hot Rod editor David Freiburger. The company also secured a patent in 2009 for its "Mirror Image" twin-turbo system, where compressor wheels rotate in opposite directions for symmetrical V8 packaging.
The current NRE facility spans 16,000 square feet with over a dozen employees, producing an average of four engines per week.
Engine Specifications and Performance
The Intercooled Outlaw 427 is an in-house developed LS-architecture V8. On 91 octane pump gas, it produces 1,200 bhp at 7,200 rpm, with output rising to 1,400-1,500 bhp using high-octane race fuel. Every unit undergoes dynamometer verification prior to shipping.
The foundation is a Concept Performance LSR aluminum block with ductile iron sleeves and a six-bolt-per-cylinder head pattern for increased strength under boost. Internal components include a Dart billet crankshaft, Boostline forged connecting rods, and custom CP pistons, resulting in a 427.7 cubic inch (7.0-liter) displacement from a 4.125-inch bore and 4.0-inch stroke.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Block | Concept Performance LSR, 356-T6 aluminum |
| Bore x Stroke | 4.125 in x 4.0 in |
| Displacement | 427.7 cu in (7.0 L) |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Cylinder Heads | AFR 260cc LS3, CNC-ported |
| Fuel System | Deatschwerks 1,500cc injectors |
| ECU | Holley Terminator |
Turbocharging and Induction
Boost is generated by a pair of NRE's proprietary 72 mm Mirror Image Generation 2 turbochargers with billet compressor wheels. They are fed by stainless steel exhaust manifolds and controlled by TiAL wastegates and blow-off valves.
A unique integrated intercooler system eliminates the need for an external unit. A Tick Performance billet upper plenum with an intercooler core mounts to a Holley Lo-Ram manifold, topped by a 90 mm drive-by-wire throttle body. Installation requires adding an inline water pump, plumbing, and a heat exchanger.
Supporting Components and Availability
The valvetrain uses a custom hydraulic roller camshaft with Comp Cams rockers and Manton pushrods. A Wegner billet serpentine kit drives accessories like the alternator and power steering pump. The engine is managed by a Holley Terminator ECU with a 60-2 crank trigger.
The complete Twin-Turbo Intercooled Outlaw 427 crate engine is available for order directly through the Nelson Racing Engines website.
