NITROS! hell I am not even sure how to spell it?

[72 cuda]

Ok guys,
I need to know the basics of nitrous.

Can my car handle it?
It is going to be a weekend warrior.

72 cuda 440 steel crank not sure of much else.
Drive train is strong, transmission good, rear end full time posi, possibly a spool?

Now about the nitrous (I think I spelled it right this time).
I know nothing, is it injected on a base plate of the carburetor?
Drilled and injectors put into the heads?
Does it take a different carburation?

How dangerous is it in the car, on the street, on the highway?
How long can I expect the motor to last?

I am trying to compare nitrous vs. blower

Let the education begin!

[Moparal]

You better buy some books and mags and read up on all you can.  there are a few, actually quite a few different types of systems. Any one of them can destroy your engine if not done propper. You will find all the weak areas in your engine and drive train quick too.  But yes, you can install a plate under your carb. It will have spray bars, with solinoids for extra fuel and nos. You need some good fuel pressure to supply extra fuel just to scratch the surface for your intentions....read up first, look at pics then buy a complete kit and watch your timing and plug gaps

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I agree with Al. I would ever buy a dry kit (nitrous only), not sure you even can with a carb'd setup. I've used a baseplate kit and a fogger kit, fogger worked much better, but did take more work.

It's easy to "add a little more" with nitrous, it's wise to stay conservative and don't keep bumping it up. You need a solid fuel supply, good/timed spark and a wet kit. Shouldn't give you many problems really. Be sure to hit it with enough rpm and open throttle!

[72 cuda]

Thanks guys, I did not no it would be that complicated I thought it was a bolt and go.

I have seen so many awesome cars on here. Nitrous, turbo's and blowers.
I thought Nitrous would be the cheapest and the easy way to make extra horse power.

I guess I'll watch and learn on moparts a while first. 

Mark

[aris_unlimited]

If you're mechanically inclined, I wouldn't say it is all that difficult at all.

The best advice here was to get a good book on nitrous, and figure out wether you want it or not.

Also a lot of kits will come with multiple nozzles for the nitrous so you can pick how much nitrous you want to allow into the system at a time (ie 100hp shot 125 hp shot etc.). Not knowing about the internals on your vehicle the most I would risk is a 100 hp shot, and that is assuming that your motor has not already been built up to the point of where it is stressing the internals that are already in it.

[Cooter]

There's no such thing as a "Stupid proof" Nitrous kit....If you don't know what your doing, you will add to the ever growning list of idiots that burn down engines that cause Nitrous to get a bad rep....
MOST of the time, when you hear someone say things like "Hell, dump a kit on it and go dude, it's easy"...They are hoping you burn your engine up so that's one less they have to try and get around come race day...You have to watch who you trust when dealing with Nitrous.....I had to learn the hard way and finally taught myself how to tune a kit....EVERYBODY I asked told me something different on the tune up..Every time, I'd hurt a motor...That gets expensive after a while...



Yes, Nitrous can produce huge amounts of power, but without the knowledge to tune it properly, you will regret it...I have bought 4 kits because of this..Engines get burned up on it, and they sell the kit cause "That damn Nitrous burnt my motor up!".....


Stick with someone that kows Turbo's as they are getting more and more affordable these days..Nitrous USED TO BE THE POOR MAN'S SUPERCHARGER...Not anymore....For $600.00, I can buy an HX52 turbo that will build enough boost to blow anything up you will ever build....

[72 cuda]

HX52 turbo,
What can you guys tell me about this.
Mark

[Cooter]

Well, you can blow the hell outta your engine with a Turbo as well as Nitrous..I was just making a comparison between the two....Basically, from what I understand about Turbo's which is nothing, the "HX52" seems to be around an 80 MM Turbo cpapble of supporting up top 700 HP....Most are Hallset Turbo's off of Volvo Diesel Semi trucks.....


If you don't understand Nitrous, then I wouldn't reccomend you get involved with Forced induction unless you FULLY understand how a boosted engine and it's components work....NONE of this is "Stupid proof" come to think of it..

[72 cuda]

Cooter,
Can you give me any practical advice about the sizing of the nitrous.
I know that I need to learn a lot before attempting anything!!

But what I wish to do is to be a weekend warrior,
I have a 440 hp motor in a 72 cuda.
I don't know how well the motor is built, but what I do know of it is good.
And by other indicators I expect some serious money has been dropped in this drag car.

I'm trying to make a kinda pro street car.
But with nitrous I am told that I can play hard when I want too.
What about safety, I don't want to blow up!!
Mark

[Bullitt-]

Here ya go....look at about :45 seconds in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYmsHO8GUxU

even better...a cheby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1cPuJza_Aw

[72 cuda]

Boy you guys can dash a mans dreams quick
And I really appreciate the cautions.
I'm just looking and thinking(for now)
Mark

[Cooter]

Basic "Myths" about Nitrous Oxide injection....

1. "You can't run "All motor" you have to Run Nitrous, cause you can't build a motor that'll run"...
This is the typical idiot addressing something he/she is clearly afraid of and does NOT understand. Afterall, we are most afraid of what we don't understand...ANY engine will benefit from more air and Fuel...
2. "Nitrous blows up motors"..
This is only true if you are a dumbass and installed a 500 HP Pro Shot Fogger kit and "T'ed" off your stock 5/16" Fuel line with the stock mechanical fuel pump and ran it lean...See previous statement
3. "Nitrous will blow up"...
No, Nitrous is NOT flammable by itself..When you mix fuel with it though, look out...
4. "Nitrous is Cheating"..
Here again, this is someone who has lost a "Street race" at the local track/hangout/etc. to a guy/gal in their $15K Engine they built to be an "All Throttle- No bottle" motor and just got his'her ass handed to 'em by a Cheaper engine, running Nitrous..(It REALLY hurts when this happens. I have done it and had fist fights break out because of it).Notice I didn't use the term "NOS" like in the F&F movie..I HATE that...
5. "Nitrous is illeagal on the street"..
This may be true nowadays...Some states are outlawing it because of the same Hollywood BS movies most people watch where the "NOS" tank blows up....However, there are  Blowers and Turbo's out there that will build an additional 350-500 HP into an engine but are considered "Leagal"...
6. Nitrous is HARD on Engine parts"...
This is true. But that Blower/Turbo/High Lift Camshaft/high tension Valve springs/High comp. pistons/ etc. Aren't? Yeah, right..Try again..Nitrous is no more "harder" on Engine parts than the HP parts and the typical Car guy/gals right foot...
Ever wonder WHY Late model 5.0 Mustang's used to "popcorn" the intake manifolds on Nitrous??
There's a reason you don't Spray an intake that is tuned for more torque and has long runners that allow the Nitrous to "puddle" setting off like a bomb as soon as the engine hiccups.....Open, or Single Plane intakes gentlemen...

There are many more, but these are the ones i got hit with all the time...

[72 cuda]

Cooter,
Thanks. Man that brings it all into perspective, but now what?  Upgrade to a 850 cfm carb, or 6 pack, or 2-4's?

Don't forget, for now I doubt it will see too much strip time.  Too much work to do.

But I need something to get the ole lady to the laundromat, real fast!!
Trips to the Drive-In, you know, fun.

But its kinda like having a big enough gun, if you don't need more fine.
More is better but if you  let off the trigger no harm no foul, right?
Can I still drive it as an around the town local car, just don't hit the button, right?

I can change all the timing at the track?

I still have a bunch of questions:  what about safety shut offs?
I don't want to blow up the woman (at least not yet).

I can wear you out with stupid questions, but I'll try not to.

Next thing is I need a good carb, looking to do this nitrous thing.
Demon/Holley?  What size?  How many carbs?  Gas mileage is not a concern.
New, used, rebuilt what?
All the guys here I imagine, build their own.

Anything you can think of at all is greatly appreciated.

Mark

[Cooter]

Cooter,
Thanks. Man that brings it all into perspective, but now what?  Upgrade to a 850 cfm carb, or 6 pack, or 2-4's?
Mark, first things first. I do NOT wanna be the one that caused you to "Melt your 440" here.Remember, Nitrous doesn't care if you had an oopsie and forgot something..You make one little, but important mistake and you've bought a new set of pistons at best....Asking these questions, while fun to BS about here, when it becomes serious to the point your gonna spray your car, you need to find a GOOD TUNER for Nitrous where you live and LISTEN to him/her on what to do and what NOT to do...I would NOT reccomend multiple carb's and Spray bars. Bad idea. Stick with ONE carb something like the 750 Holley or 850 Holley Double pumper. these can be bought used and rebuilt, but here again, if YOU cannot do this, you will have to find someone there that can..
Don't forget, for now I doubt it will see too much strip time.  Too much work to do.

But I need something to get the ole lady to the laundromat, real fast!!
Trips to the Drive-In, you know, fun.
Trips to the local hangout are always fun, but when you try to spray your car and end up looking like an idiot when you have a Nitrous backfire cause you "Forgot" to Purge the system, that can make your night very "Un-fun" quick!
But its kinda like having a big enough gun, if you don't need more fine.
More is better but if you  let off the trigger no harm no foul, right?
[color-red]This is where Nitorus usually ends up "Blowing up motors"...You get used to say a 100 Hp shot and your mind inevidably goes into "Damn, I need more" to get by that new loudmouth guy in that Chevy II...You step it up to say a 250 Shot and BOOM! all of the parts you couldn't see in your engine before, are now visible and laying on the ground...[/color]
Can I still drive it as an around the town local car, just don't hit the button, right?
Yes, but this isn't what usually happens with your first 10 bottles of Nitrous though...I call it "Nitrous Happy"..
You know, when you just simply cannot believe how much more power your 'ol 440 is making with a simple "bolt-on" and now you need to make sure ALL your buddies can't believe it even if you have to show 'em multiple times...Before you know it, you've gone through about 9 bottles of Nitous and the 'ol lady is bit*hin' bout needing money for the bills and you needing money for more Nitrous...

I can change all the timing at the track?
Yes....

I still have a bunch of questions:  what about safety shut offs?
These are important. The "kits" come with an "Arm" switch to turn the power on to the main "Bang button"..There are also Low fuel pressure shut down switches you can buy seperately as well as low oil pressure, but YOU are your best Safety shut down..If something doesn't feel "right", get off it and let out...
I don't want to blow up the woman (at least not yet). Cannot help, nor will I here on this one...

I can wear you out with stupid questions, but I'll try not to. No such thing as a stupid question...

Next thing is I need a good carb, looking to do this nitrous thing.
All I can say and hope for is you are Smart and careful with your first Nitrous kit..Do your Research on it...I consider this to be part of it, but you need to read up and understand as much as you can before you play Vin Diesel out on the street..
Demon/Holley?  What size?  How many carbs?  Gas mileage is not a concern.
New, used, rebuilt what?
All the guys here I imagine, build their own.

Anything you can think of at all is greatly appreciated.

Mark

[Cooter]

You really wanna know what's involved on your first "test" pass on the button to tune the kit?

1. Install complete stand alone, fuel system, with Holley "Blue/Black pump and regulator with around 1/2" line all the way to front of car.
2. Install the Nitrous spray bar under your carb with supplied extra length studs and gaskets. It is marked "Up" as NOT to install upside down...You DO NOT Want to do this....
3. Wire the Solenoids for N20 and Fuel.
4. Wire in the ARM switch, any Safetly switches, and Bang button.
5. "test" fire EMPTY system to make sure BOTH FUEL AND N20 SOLENOIDS ARE FIRING TOGETHER!
6. Mount Bottle in trunk with supplied bracketry.
7. Run Nitrous braided line to the Nitrous solenoid and hook up to solenoid..
8. Install a Nitrous Guage on the bottle (Sold seperately) to Monitor bottle pressure..Optimum should be around 900-1000 PSI when ready to spray...
9. Buy bottle heater sold seperately.
10. Finally get bottle filled with N20..
11. Install Seperate Fuel pressure Guage (Sold seperately) to monitor fuel pressure at the solenoid for Fuel..
12. Install supplied Jets for around 150 HP shot..
13. Hold engine RPM up around 2000, and "Test" fire kit with engine running by "blipping", or "Tapping"  the button..(This is also how I purge my kit). You should hear the engine rev REALLY quickly...Kinda like a Race Engine does with really big roller cam..
14. Finally, you are ready to set your timing. If at 14 degrees initial (Base), you need to back off around 6 degrees for a baseline.
15. Ok, you are now ready to give a "trail" pass on the track preferrably, but I know it most likely be on a back road somewhere.
16. Once you've done about a 6 second blast, as soon as you let off the button, you shut down the engine and pull over on the side of the road and pull ALL 8 PLUGS to see how they are burning...you should see a nice "Turkey Turd" brown color...IF you see WHITE specs, then it's too lean...(Not enough fuel pressure/volume.
17. Reinstall ALL 8 plugs, and up the fuel pressure 3 lbs and do the same thing AGAIN, until you reach the "Brown" color on the plugs. Then, and ONLY THEN are you ready to go get 'em...
18. IF you "up the anti" and jump the HP level, repeat steps 14-17 AGAIN....


Remember, for every time you Spray your car, the bottle pressure goes down..Kinda like a hairspray can when it turns cold after spraying it? You will need to RE-HEAT the bottle in order to keep the bottle pressure at a constant 900-1000 PSI for your next pass.