Low comp or High comp for nitrous?

[2Liter]

stonger pistons are a plus when running nitrous, but is it nessecary to lower the compression ratio when running a 75 shot or 100 shot? Can I get higher compression pistons? Basically, If I had a 75 or 100 shot wet kit, would the engine benifit from having Esslinger 9:0 pistons, or Esslinger 12.5:0 pistons and matching rods?

Also, would a higher lift cam and upgraded valvesprings allow higher engine rpm?

Thanks. -Nate

[Seawulf]

I can't speak to higher rpms, but if you keep the engine NA, supposedly a higher compression is better for nitrous. I don't know about 12:1 though, 10:5:1 or 11:1 is the highest I'd go, NA. I don't know if they make pistons like that but you can mill the head to up the compression. And yes, stronger rods and pistons are good for nitrous or any kind of power.

[2Liter]

How about these (http://www.focus-central.com/catalog/details.asp?cid=1&sid=&pid=4) with these (http://www.focus-central.com/catalog/details.asp?cid=1&sid=&pid=2)?

10.2:1 Comp ratio seems to sound just right. It even says good piston for nitrous use. Only problem is they say $379, but they dont mention whether they are sold in packs of four. I hope they dont mean $379 per piston. I'll email them and find out.

Another question so I dont have to start a new thread: if and when I buy the pistons and rods, I'll have to take it to a shop. Do they have to rebalance the engine after installation of these things? Can anybody tell me an estimate for how much they would pay for this? Thanks Seawulf. -Nate

[Seawulf]

Yes you have to rebalance the crank and bore/hone the block for proper piston/ring seal. That's why I haven't done that, cause it would cost a lot more than just around a grand for new rods and pistons, no idea how much more though. TurboTom sells a fully built short block for around $2200. He does over 400whp on his short blocks with a little head work and stock cams, and a huge turbo.

As for those pistons, yes they should work and that price should be for all four. As for the rods the crowers are good but the Eagle rods are almost as good, and Tom has done 400+whp with Eagle rods, and they cost $200 less than the crowers. Stock rods have done 300whp FI'd and 200whp NA reving up to 8000rpms so I figure the Eagles are good enough and you can get them for as little as $325 on ebay sometimes and usually $400 on the web.