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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!alice!wookie
From: wookie@alice.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Nitrous Oxide???
Message-ID: <3436@alice.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 5-Mar-85 08:51:43 EST
Article-I.D.: alice.3436
Posted: Tue Mar  5 08:51:43 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 6-Mar-85 03:09:26 EST
References: <32000011@waltz.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Murray Hill
Lines: 30

The "nitro" you refer to the big boys using is nitro-methane made 
essentially by mixing TNT and methanol.  This is wonderful stuff
for a drag race and not something you want to burn everyday.

Nitrous oxide on the otherhand is a nitrogen compound which is
injected into the air stream in place of air.  Since it has more
oxygen per unit volume than does air it will tend to oxydize the
fuel better and thus give more power.  This is a common method
for giving that little burst of power needed to pass someone.
The original installation is about $400 but refilling the
tank is much much much cheaper than that!!  You simply
refill the tank as you would acetylene and oxygen for
your welding torch.  This gas by the way is also known
as laughing gas at your local dentist or as sweet gas
used for whipping cream.


Such systems are available at any decent performance
shop and may be easily added to any engine.  The thing
I don't understand is that the units are sold to add
some number of horsepower to an engine.......any engine.
What this means is the same unit applied to a 300HP V8
and adding say 100HP will add that same amount to your
50HP Volkswagen making it 150HP.  I'll have to think about
that one for a bit.

Anyway they are commonly used and available.

				Keith Bauer
				White Tiger Racing