Engine life using Nitrous?

[fast.asleep]

I've been under the impression that nitrous will burn up a stock motor pretty quick.

I was just told that that was an old wives tale. Used correctly it won't hurt the engine at all.

Can someone help me out?

 

[DRTH VTR]

As I understand it, detonation from a lean condition is the enemy. As long as the fuel system is up to the task (may require a higher output fuel pump and/or some higher flow injectors), a reasonable 'shot' is manageable. This assumes that the engine is sound. I have thought about doing this one, myself. Maybe when the waranty expires in a couple of months.

 

[Vettelt193]

I've been under the impression that nitrous will burn up a stock motor pretty quick.

I was just told that that was an old wives tale. Used correctly it won't hurt the engine at all.

Can someone help me out?

Any time you increase power without beefing up the engine, it will tend to reduce engine life as a trade off for the extra power.

If you do it right(as stated above) and don't lean out the engine, you will be pretty much fine. Just don't expect to get 200k miles out of the engine if you throw 150 shot at it. 50-75 shot is more along the lines of 'safe and reliable'

 

[c4cruiser]

The condition of the motor is important. If the components in the bottom end are worn due to high mileage or extreme stresses that have been placed on it, adding nitrous can very well shorten the life of rings, rod and main bearing or possibly the rods, pistons and crank.

I probably wouldn't think of installing a nitrous system on an engine with 75K on it. Newer and low mileage motors should do OK but as mentioned, the size of the shot is important. Even with the extra fuel and the nitrous coming on at the correct time, there will be added stresses on the piston, rods and crank. Anything in the reciprocating assembly that is weak will most likely not survive repeated hits.

 

[fast.asleep]

Newer and low mileage motors should do OK but as mentioned, the size of the shot is important.

not trying to be a smart a$$ but how about old, low mileage motors? Apart from opening it up is there any way to know if the internals can take a 75 shot?

Since this would be my first nitrous system, I definitely want to err on the side of caution.

 

[Vettelt193]

not trying to be a smart a$$ but how about old, low mileage motors? Apart from opening it up is there any way to know if the internals can take a 75 shot?

Since this would be my first nitrous system, I definitely want to err on the side of caution.

many systems can have the shot changed... check to see if you can find one like that. If so, start with a low HP, like 25-50. if everything seems to be running fine bump it up to 75 after you feel good about things.

The biggest problem I have seen with nitros is with systems over 100 shot, and owners that get HP greedy. It is so easy to bump the power up with nitros, that people tend to keep bumping it up and wind up blowing the engine.

If you aren't greedy and stick with 75 or under HP, all should be fine anyway.... if you think about it, 50-75 HP can be had (with no bottom end work) with a cam, head work, intake work, and exhaust

 

[BlackNBlue95]

If your worried about longevity then don't use the juice. Otherwise understand there is always a risk when modding something that was not designed from the factory for nitrous. It may work fine with a small shot for a long time but as stated above it was not designed into it. at least I do not believe the engineers that designed your motor were standing there saying oh we need to make this thing be able to handle the abuse of superchargers or nitrous. No they were standing there thinking lets build this thing to last our min time frame is until the warranty it up.

That is my .02 and I'm sure I am wrong from someones perspective and right from anothers so take it for what it's worth.

-=Rick

 

[redc4corvette]

Turbo ,supercharger , nitrous ?????
All the above are all the same...............
Turbo to much boost not enough retard bang.
Supercharger to much boost not enough retard bang.
Nitrous not enough retard and to much boost bang.
Get greedy bang.
Don't tune up your stock engine over heat it bang.

It is like anything you take care of it it will take care of you.
I have a 1986 vet with over 200,00 100 shot for the last 3 mths,no problem.
1994 vert 125 shot for 21/2 years with 91,000 no problem.
I know what the hazards are and have the knowledge.
I have made mistakes but have never blown anything but a couple of spark plugs.
Read all the information and know what your doing in anything and the hazards will be minimal.
I have seen lots of racers come out to the track and blow up the car the first time.
It is amazing after that I become their best friend.
Now most of them are are running 10 and 9's in the 1/4.
I watched a guy install ported nitrous came out to the track last week and bang.
Now I am his new best friend ,all he had was a leaking line and some nitrous leaked into the carb and just caused a large bang no damage but he would not start the car until I came over and fixed the line for him.
You have to know what you are doing........
I would not have anything else but nitrous ?? maybe a turbo with 15 lbs of boost,HE HE.
I love the way it slams you back into the seat.

 

[c4cruiser]

Even a stock basic daily driver motor in reasonable good condition should be able to handle a 75HP increase. As mentioned, traditional hot rod performance items like cams, heads, manifolds will provide a 75HP increase and as long as the bottom end is in good shape, the motor should be fine.

The problems begin to arise when you factor in the number of times that full-throttle power is applied. Constant full-bore runs will eventually cause problems even if the lower internals are in good condition to start. Extra HP requires that things like the rods, bearings and the pistons and rings be in excellent shape and should even be heavy-duty components to handle the load.

Be sure to follow the install instructions to the letter, check to make sure all of the connections are tight and done properly. Don't skimp on anything. You should be able to use a light shot on a good running motor as long as the nitrous is used properly.

 

[fast.asleep]

thanks guys,

I'll start my homework.

 

[Vettelt193]

The only thing not mentioned....

If you throw 'regular' parts at the engine to get 50-75 HP, it will be there all the time, and your power is progressive, not on/off

the On/Off of nitros adds more stress for a given power increase because it (usually) is not variable HP like other mods would be (supercharger, turbo, or regular parts). when you hit the button, it is instantly that much more power so it sort of 'shocks' the power-train.

 

[fast.asleep]

The only thing not mentioned....

If you throw 'regular' parts at the engine to get 50-75 HP, it will be there all the time, and your power is progressive, not on/off

the On/Off of nitrous adds more stress for a given power increase because it (usually) is not variable HP like other mods would be (supercharger, turbo, or regular parts). when you hit the button, it is instantly that much more power so it sort of 'shocks' the power-train.

I was afraid of what the "shock" would do to my engine. If I had the money to spend who knows if I'd use nitrous.

Adding 50 -75 hp to my motor using regular parts is going to cost a LOT more than a nitrous system.

Who makes a good system for the L98? (I've heard about Venom, NOS and NX)

 

[Vettelt193]

I was afraid of what the "shock" would do to my engine. If I had the money to spend who knows if I'd use nitrous.

Adding 50 -75 hp to my motor using regular parts is going to cost a LOT more than a nitrous system.

Who makes a good system for the L98? (I've heard about Venom, NOS and NX)

it is not only the engine, it shocks the whole drive-train including the tranny and rear end....

the systems you listed are the only ones i know of... NOS is the good ol name that seems pretty trusted, but i have heard good things about nitros express.

anyway, I just brought up the shock thing to make sure you knew about it... a 50-75 shot isn't that tough anyway, ALTHOUGH you can get 50 HP for about the same $$$ as nitros in my experience, and it is HP that you never have to 'refill'

 

[fast.asleep]

ALTHOUGH you can get 50 HP for about the same $$$ as nitros in my experience, and it is HP that you never have to 'refill'

Really? The intake manifold and runners (Edelbrock/SLP) I want cost as much as an NX system and I doubt those two items will give me 50 hp.

if you have any insight please share..

 

[redc4corvette]

Try these pics
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1012491
If you need more info I can help along with others out there .
Need to know basis ,no one said anything about the heating and cooling of the nitrous bottle and that is a problem when you live in a warm climate but I manage.I use the Barry Grant kit ,NX kit I highly recoment the BG kit.www.barrygrant.com

 

[8388]

The way I see it, horsepower is never cheap, and nitrous can become very expensive. Upfront, it may be the cheapest way to go, but all it takes is going lean one time. Every set up has it's advantages and dis advantage. One thing I've never liked about juice is, when your bottle is low, your done.

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

The only thing not mentioned....

If you throw 'regular' parts at the engine to get 50-75 HP, it will be there all the time, and your power is progressive, not on/off

the On/Off of nitros adds more stress for a given power increase because it (usually) is not variable HP like other mods would be (supercharger, turbo, or regular parts). when you hit the button, it is instantly that much more power so it sort of 'shocks' the power-train.

NOS offers progressive nitrous systems as well..it simply adds a second set of solenoids with a processor box to pulse them in relation to the throttle position. This being said, it doesn't come cheap (what good thing does, though?).

As to reliability..... my first car (79 Trans Am 403 Olds powered) was fed a steady diet of nitrous for 90,000 miles (125 shot), with no troubles whatsoever. I never even as much had the valve covers off this motor. Then again, I've seen people put a Fogger system on near stock motors with predictable results. It all comes back to common sense, and my favorite adage applies here as well: Fail to plan, plan to fail!

YMMV

 

[Mad-Mic]

Really? The intake manifold and runners (Edelbrock/SLP) I want cost as much as an NX system and I doubt those two items will give me 50 hp.

if you have any insight please share..

read my car domain. i've pulled over 50 rwhp and about 70+ rwtq just from simple bolt on's and alot of tuning.

your car will handle a 100 shot pretty good for a long time if the fuel system is adequate. 150 shot your pushing it due to the cast pistons. then again i know a guy with a bone stock internal LT1 FBody running a 175 shot thru it with over 120k in miles!

it comes down to it the more you run it and bigger the shot the shorter the life on a stock motor/trans/rear. if your running an Automatic i would highly suggest spending the extra money for a progressive controller so you can limit the shot out of the hole so your rear don't go kaboom if you decide to ever spray it out of the hole.

 

[#1stunner]

never do more than half the stock hp at the crank.
thus a 87 vette 240hp crank = no more then 120 shot. Though I would only do 75 shot at the most. this si on a stock car.
*note* I do not have nitrous.