How Does NOS Work?
Author: 2FastLane.com

[Introduction]

Nitrous Oxide injection is a popular performance modification
that offers maximum returns on spending. The direct outcome of
using Nitrous Oxide injection is additional power to your
vehicle. This results into better garnering of energy from
combustion of fuel, revved up engine and eventual boost in over
all performance of the vehicle.

Nitrous oxide is more popular than other performance
modifications as besides better performance per unit of money
spent, Nitrous installations are easier to accomplish. These
installations can be used as and when the need arises. The
Nitrous oxide injections are available to meet any magnitude of
power need from 25 HP to over 500 extra HP. This performance
option caters to the computer controlled fuel injected engines.
The Nitrous systems are portable enough to be easily removed or
transferred to another vehicle. In comparison to other
performance options, Nitrous Oxide systems are feasible, as
they cost least and install without much difficulty. To install
NOS, all you need are some common hand tools and barely three to
four hours time. There is no other performance option that can
buy you more performance for lesser money than Nitrous.

Nitrous oxide is colorless, non-flammable and a slightly sweet
smelling gas. Also known as laughing gas because of its
euphoric effects, Nitrous is also known as NOS after the famous
trademark catering Nitrous Oxide injection systems.

[How Does It Work?]

Nitrous oxides functions along identical principle as followed
by sodium chlorate upon heating. It constitutes of two parts of
Nitrogen and one part of Oxygen (N2O). When Nitrous Oxide is
heated to a temperature of about 570 degrees F (~300 degree C),
it splits into oxygen and nitrogen. So, injection of Nitrous
oxide into the engine results into more oxygen available during
combustion. As there is more oxygen available during combustion,
the engine can also intake more fuel, and consequently generate
more power. Thus, Nitrous oxide is one of the simplest manners
to give a substantial horsepower boost to any gasoline engine.

Secondly, when pressurized Nitrous oxide is injected into the
intake manifold, it boils and vaporizes. As a result, Nitrous
oxide provides significant cooling effect on the intake air.
With the cooling effect, the temperature of the intake air
reduces by 60-75 degrees F. This in turn, increases air density
and subsequent higher concentration of oxygen inside the
cylinder. Thus additional power is generated. As per standard
rule, every 10 degrees F reduction in intake charge temperature
causes 1% increase in power. For example, a 350 HP engine with
an intake temperature drop of 70 degrees F shall gain around
25HP on the cooling affect alone.

Thirdly, the nitrogen released during the process of heating
also supports the performance aspect. As Nitrogen dampens down
the increased cylinder pressure, it controls the combustion
process eventually.

Nitrous oxide is colossal just like any other gas. Even its
liquid form does not excuse the bulky nature of the gas. The
engine requires a huge quantity of Nitrous Oxide to keep the
5-liter engine running at 4,000 rotations per minute (RPM). The
speed of 4,000-RPM rate is secured by combustion of 10,000
liters of air every minute. In sharp contrast, the engine
consumes only 0.2 liters of gasoline. In nutshell, the engine
shall require magnanimous quantity of Nitrous oxide to run your
vehicle continuously. Therefore, a car normally carries limited
amount of nitrous oxide, which is used very selectively by the
driver, by pushing a button.

Nitrous system offers improvement of 1 to 3 full seconds and 10
to 15 MPH in the quarter mile. Other factors viz. engine size,
tires, jetting, gearing etc. determine the final results. It is
best used with a wide-open throttle, unless a progressive
controller is used. It can be safely applied above 2,500
rotations per minute (RPM) under full throttle conditions.

Forged aluminum pistons are one of the best modifications to
complement NOS. Other important modifications may be a forged
crankshaft, a high quality race type connecting rod, a high
output fuel pump dedicated to feeding the additional fuel
demands of Nitrous system and a racing fuel with high specific
gravity and an octane rating of 110 or more.

For effective performance through Nitrous Oxide, it is
important to choose the correct Horse Power for a given
application. To elaborate, as the energy will be released in
the cylinder, the load on various components to perform will
also increase proportionately. If the energy released is
greater than the ability to handle the energy, it will amount
to wear and tear of the machinery. While 4 cyl. engines allow
an extra 40-60 HP, 6 cyl. engines allow 75-100 extra HP only.
On identical lines, while small blocks V8's (302/350/400cid)
typically allow up to 140 extra HP, big blocks V8's (427/454)
accept from 125–200 extra HP.

As Nitrous looses the optimal flow rate at very cold
temperatures, NOS kit has a nitrous pressure gauge that allows
you to monitor the pressure to approximately 800-900 psi. In
colder climates, it is always advisable to purchase a bottle
heater kit, part # 14161 to keep the ambient temperature to
70-90 degrees F.

Further, the condition of the engine is important to keep in
mind while choosing NOS kit for your vehicle. A worn out and
poorly tuned up vehicle will not be able to sustain NOS
pressure and will be instead harmed by abnormal wear.

Though the button triggering on Nitrous oxide may be held
pressed until the bottle containing it is rendered empty, it is
recommended that Nitrous Oxide may be used for 15 continuous
seconds or lesser. The Nitrous bottle can be easily refilled
from any NOS certified distributor. The NOS bottle must not be
overfilled as overfilling and/ or too much heat can result into
excessive bottle pressures, following a blown out safety seal
and eventual release of all the contents out of the bottle.

[Summary]

To wrap up, Nitrous Oxide magnifies the output of any engine –
be it stock engine or modified engine, to lend more power and
better performance. However, it is important to keep the
condition and horsepower of the engine in mind before
introducing particular NOS to it to secure positive results
only.


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