Main Caps & Girdles?

[PurpleBeeper]

I've got a couple questions about strengthening a 440 bottom end, stock stroke, to handle a 250+hp shot of nitrous. This is a long-distance cruiser engine (the plan), but I don't want take the nitrous off the car. I've run stock main caps with a 150hp shot of nitrous (current motor), but I put a bigger kit on the car.

1. When should you use steel main caps? When should you use aluminum main caps?
2. If I went to some type of main girdle, would my factory oil pan still clear my cross member & center link bar?
3. Is this all overkill? I already have main studs for the new motor.
4. With a main girdle, do you have to custom lengthen an oil pickup tube or something?

Other thoughts? I really have no idea what to do here.

 

[ruffcut]

I have a girdle on my race car but can't help with most of your questions because I have a stroked engine with a 10 quart oil pan and swinging oil pickup, but still use stock main caps.
Might be okay for clearance on the oil pan?
I don't think the pickup tube would be an issue as you would have to check all of that on assembly though.
Just my thoughts. ruffcut

 

[zyzzyx]

The only comment I'll make is that I have no Idea why someone decided to make main caps
out of any grade of Aluminum? A forged steel cap made of 4140 that is mildly heat treated
and cross-bolted is far superior. Doing a Girdle would be overkill IMHO.