Engine Upgrades
For the basic 40- to 60-hp dry system no engine mods are needed. It would be wise to run premium 92-octane fuel and reduce the gap of the plugs. The fuel system should be checked to ensure it is in good working order. For some engines a colder plug may pay dividends.
As the power potential of the system goes up so does the need for engine improvements. More power is generated by burning more fuel; nitrous provides the extra oxygen need to "release" the power. So as the power increases somewhere down the line the fuel system will have to be upgraded.
A byproduct of nitrous oxide is increased cylinder pressures which is why the plug gap should be closed in basic kits. As power goes up so does the internal cylinder pressures so at some point the ignition system will need to be upgraded. The power expectations of the nitrous system and the performance of the particular stock ignition will determine when an upgrade is called for. Some nitrous systems may also require timing retard.
The heat generated by nitrous can have an adverse effect on the exhaust valves and in some cases the pistons, which may need to be upgraded by way of stainless-steel valves and forged pistons. As with any performance engine, big power potential requires a built bottom end.
Installation Quick Tips
Each manufacturer has its own instructions but here are some basics that are universally applicable. The nitrous bottle should be installed in the trunk with the valve facing the front of the vehicle in a downward position with the valve outlet aimed at the floor. The bottle should also be tilted with the valve end higher off the floor. This is done to ensure the pick-up gets all the nitrous possible
The nozzle in non direct-port applications should be placed four to six inches before the throttle body. This is done to ensure there is proper atomization of the mixture prior to its entering the combustion chamber. Some nozzles are directional designs that need to point in the same direction as the airflow into the engine.
Do not use Teflon tape in the fittings. The tape can be sheared off and blown into the solenoid where it can hinder the solenoid's operation and result in a lean condition and possibly catastrophic engine failure.
Be wary of ROM-tuning or adding performance chips to a nitrous engine. Nitrous likes retarded timing and chips or ROM tunes that advance timing can cause detonation or worse.
Nitrous works best at maximum or near maximum bottle pressure. One way to keep the pressure up is to install a bottle warmer, most manufacturers offer these as optional equipment.
Check your fuel filter and replace it if needed. Fuel sediment can hurt the performance of the solenoids and/or clog the jets in wet systems.
Purchase a tube-bending tool like the one NOS offers. It will save time, ensure proper connections and make the install look cleaner.
Finally, don't go crazy. Running the nitrous system continuously can be harmful to the engine. At the most hit the button for 10 to 15 seconds at a time.
Nitrous is a potent power producer that hits hard from a performance standpoint without putting one's wallet down for the count. It is a transparent technology-when not in use a nitrous system has no effect on the driveability of the car it's installed on. Furthermore, nitrous can be made to work on just about any engine. With the advent of computer control a properly installed and tuned system is a reliable avenue to power and performance.
placementThe trunk is the...
placementThe trunk is the most popular place to install a nitrous bottle. The bottle should face valve toward the front of the vehicle with the valve outlet aimed at the floor. The bottle should also be tilted with the valve end higher off the floor. This is done to ensure the pick-up gets all the nitrous and helps keep pressure constant.