From: pzh@myna.dsto.gov.au (Paul Heuer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Poor Man's Supercharger
Date: 14 Sep 92 20:38:29 GMT

kkm@cyclone.larc.nasa.gov (Kenna Macauley) writes:


> I've noticed a lot of talk going on about Supercharging. Don't forget the 
>supercharger in a bottle, Nitrous Oxide. These commercially produced systems 
>can be bought to fit to just about anything with an engine in it. There are a 
>lot of bad facts floating around about these systems most of which are not 
>true. Here's what it can do for you.

>1. Give you anywhere from a 50 to 300 HP plus at the touch of a buttom.

>2. Strictly on demand when you need it.

>3. Most well designed kits are bolt on and take no more than hand tools
>   and an afternoon to install.

>4. Very simple systems, can be removed if you decide to sell the vehicle.

>The  Nitrous Oxide is merely used as an oxidizer it does the same thing a 
>supercharger does, it increases the amount of oxygen present in the 
>combustion chamber, when added with the right amount of fuel it esentially 
>makes for a much more potent intake charge, hence the increase in horsepower. 
>(also when the nitrous is injected by the spray bar it has a tremendous 
>cooling effect on the intake charge which increases fuel/air density  which 
>further helps engine output). The amount of HP increase you get denpends on 
>the size of the orifices in the spray bars. One manufacturer even has a 
>system that you can change the amount of HP increase you get by changing 
>restrictors in the fittings on the spraybar plate underneath the carb. They 
>have been stories circulated that it will burn up an engine. This is true if 
>you decided to experiment on your own and didn't compensate the increased 
>amount of oxidizer with an increase in  the amount of fuel. These two must be 
>balanced or you'll get an overly lean mixture which will burn your engine up 
>in very short order. Commercially produced systems of which there are many 
>are engineered and tested to perform properlly on whatever application they 
>are designed to work on. The usual system consists of a carb separator plate 
>with two spraybars, one for gas, one for NOS, a couple of electric solenoids 
>to control the flow and a bottle for the Nitrous Oxide plus all the hardware 
>and switches need to install it. I've had two cars that it was installed in 
>and have never had any problem with it. I can drive around all day with the 
>engine returning the normal good gas milage and all but when i need the extra 
>power its there. These system can be put on completely stock engines but you 
>won't be able to get high HP increases you have to stick to the lower ranges. 
>One extra note it's a good idea if you decide to purchase one of the units 
>that you also buy some of the optional filters (Some system do come with 
>them) These need to be installed in the fuel and NOS lines before the 
>solenoids to keep out trash. Very important since a solenoid sticking open it 
>not good for obvious reasons.

>kkm@cyclone.larc.nasa.gov

They have outlawed Nitrous on street cars in Oz. I'm surprised you guys are
still allowed to use it! I thought the authorities were a lot tougher over
there than they are here.

Cheers,
Paul. (pzh@aeg.dsto.gov.au)