Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site alice.UUCP 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