Nelson Racing Engines (NRE) put out a new video recently showing off, among other things a new ultra-low profile intake manifold for LS engines. NRE is known for its crazy innovations that make cars and engines go fast and look great at the same time. This ultra-low profile Alien intake manifold is another example of this. It is reminiscent of the alien creature from Ridley Scott’s movie series.

This shot shows the Alien ultra low profile intake in profile, as well as the NRE Mirror Image turbos that were used.
Screencaps from video.

Alien Takes Center Stage

Unlike most of Nelson’s other videos, this one is mostly talking about the new Alien intake manifold sitting on top of the 427 cubic-inch engine. It’s low and it’s sleek. You can clearly see how the name suggests itself. It also looks a bit like an anteater with its snout to the ground. It sits so low that they had to move the injectors to the outside so they’d fit. This means that it will fit under the stock hood on most vehciles, which was the idea behind the unique design.

From the NRE site detailing the Alien intake.

Mad Max Makes 1,150 HP

Mad Max (Yes, that’s what they call him and yes he’s from Australia) got in touch with Tom Nelson and told him he needed more power. So the guys at NRE got to work and put together the 427 engine you see and hear in the video. Your eyes are instantly drawn to the Alien manifold and the twin turbos at the sides. The video title says the engine made 1,150 horsepower, but this video only shows it hitting 954 horses.

Top view showing the intake and Mirror Image turbos.

Unique Turbo Design

The turbos are NRE’s own patented design Mirror Image Turbocharger Series. Until now turbos turned one direction. This one direction of turbo rotation makes for some unsightly plumbing work under the hood when you want to twin turbo an engine. With the Mirror Image Series, one turbo rotates clockwise like current turbos and the other rotates the opposite direction, counterclockwise. This allows for intake and exhaust plumbing that looks more organized.

This makes it so that all the piping required is symmetrical, making it look much more aesthetically pleasing. The turbos have billet compressor wheels. The center sections of the turbos are water-cooled and have divided exhaust housings so they spool faster.

Another shot of the Alien and intake and Mirror Image turbos just because.

About the 427 ci LS Engine

This engine is based upon a big block LSx engine. It’s equipped with a Callies 4340 forged crank. Like almost all of NRE’s engines, it’s equipped with custom pistons from JE Pistons. Oliver rods are used to swing those JE slugs. Bore and stroke come in at 4.125 and 4.000, respectively, and the combination has an 8.8:1 compression ratio.

The aluminum cylinder heads are from All Pro.  Stuffed into those heads are 2.251 intake and 1.600 exhaust vales. Tom equipped this engine with a wet sump high-volume GM oil pump. During further testing on the NRE dyno the engine produced 1,150 horsepower on pump gas running 15 psi of boost.