Understanding how nitrous works:

       Nitrous oxide is comprised of 2 parts nitrogen and one part oxygen (36% oxygen by weight), the nitrogen helps stabilize the oxygen leading to a more controlled combustion process.  When the nitrous oxide is heated to approximately 572F it breaks down and releases its load of extra oxygen.  This oxygen molecule alone does not create all the horse power gains but the ability of this oxygen to burn more fuel (efficiency) also aids to the gains.  By burning more fuel this creates higher cylinder pressures which are where most of the power is generated. As pressurized nitrous oxide is injected into the intake manifold, it changes from a liquid to a gas which reduces the inlet temperature of the air going into the motor by approximately 60-75 degrees. This "cooling affect" in turn helps create additional power. A general rule of thumb: For every 10 Degrees Fahrenheit reduction in intake charge temperature, a 1% increase in power will be seen. On power adder cars such as a turbo or a supercharger the power gained by the size of the shot will be much greater than what it is rated at.  This is because you are not only getting lets say a advertised 50hp shot but you will also see a power gain due to the decrease of the compressed airs temperature. This now means that the horse power gain per pound of boost just went up so you may gain approximately 75hp + or – depending on your combination. This is why many manufacturers such as “ProCharger” & “Paxton” are offering air-to-air intercooled systems.

Things to know about Nitrous: 

Nitrous has become  very popular with today's performance enthusiast for several reasons: 

1) Nitrous offers you more performance per dollar spent, than any other performance modification.

2) Since nitrous is only used when needed, the car will maintain stock drivability and normal gas mileage while the
    nitrous is not being used.

3) Most nitrous systems can be removed from the car fair easily with little or no visual evidence it was ever there.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I bolt nitrous onto my stock motor?
A: Yes. Provided the motor is in good shape.

Q: Does my motor have to have forged pistons?
A: No, but forged pistons are definitely a plus especially on larger shots.

Q: When is the best time to use nitrous?
A: Under wide open throttle & in a proper environment.

Q: How much horse power can I expect with a nitrous system? 
A: Depends on the size of the jet used & what the motor is capable of handling provided proper tuning.

Q: What basics do I need to do in preparation for using nitrous?
A: These are general recommendations; every combo will vary so consult a professional.

 
Q: Can I leave the nitrous bottle in the car all the time?
A: First, it is unsafe because nitrous will expand with heat & eventually if the pressure increase enough you will burst the safety valve & lose all your nitrous. Secondly, in most states it is illegal to have a nitrous bottle in the car; other states say it is okay as long as the line is not connected.  It is recommended that you check with the state in which you live as to what is legal and illegal.

Q: How long can I leave the nitrous active?
A: I recommend that nitrous only be left on for approximately 10-15 seconds which is the time it takes most cars to complete a quarter mile pass.  The longer the nitrous is left on the more likely you are to hurt something.

Q: Will nitrous oxide cause detonation?
A: Not directly, this is general the result of improper air to fuel mixture, to low of fuel octane or to much spark advance.

Q: Does nitrous oxide raise cylinder pressures and temperatures? 
A: Yes this is the main reason why it makes so much power.

Q: Can I use nitrous with turbo or supercharger applications? 
A: Yes, the injection of nitrous has a substantial intercooling effect.  It reduces intake charge temperatures by 75 degrees or more which results in not only the power that the jet is rated at but it also increases the horse power gain per pound of boost so your overall gain will be larger than the jet is rated at.  It also helps eliminate turbo lag.  Keep in mind that adding nitrous also increases cylinder pressure just as the turbo or supercharger does so precise tuning becomes more critical.

Q: Can I use nitrous with high compression engines? 
A: Yes. High or low compression motors will work with nitrous oxide provided that the system is set up properly.  Nitrous kits are commonly used in stock street motors with low compression to the wild Pro-Modified, which often exceed 15 to 1. Generally, the higher the compression ratio, the more ignition retard, as well as higher octane fuel, is required.

Q: What type of cam will work best with nitrous oxide? 
A: Generally, cams with more exhaust duration & overlap work best.  Since cam selection depends largely on vehicle weight, gearing, etc., it is best to go with the cam manufacturer's recommendations which are based off of a list of questions the grinder will ask you so it is important that you answer them correctly.  If the car is mostly driven on the street & not a full on drag car then it is best to choose a cam tailored to normal use (when nitrous is not activated) since 99% of most vehicle operation is not at full throttle.

Q: What is the difference between a wet kit vs a dry kit?
A: A wet kit adds the required amount of fuel for the nitrous being injected.  A dry kit injects only nitrous so it is up to the install/tuner to determine how to add the required amount of fuel based on the amount of nitrous being injected.

Q: How important is bottle pressure?
A: Bottle pressure is very important.  Most nitrous companies recommend that the bottle pressure be between 900-1050 for best results.  As bottle pressure drops the air to fuel mixture richens up & it leans out with an increase in pressure.  To maintain consistency with the cars performance it is best to have the bottle pressure where it was when the car was tuned or your air/fuel mixture will change which directly effects the car's performance.