
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as NOS, is a chemical compound that increases the power output of an engine. It is injected into the engine, where it breaks down and releases oxygen, which in turn allows more fuel to be burned, resulting in greater cylinder pressure and increased horsepower. The nitrous oxide system has two categories: dry and wet. In a dry system, nitrous oxide is injected separately from the fuel, while in a wet system, nitrous oxide and fuel are injected together. NOS has been popularized by street racing culture and is featured in various movies and video games, such as The Fast and the Furious. It is important to note that NOS may not be permitted for street or highway use, depending on local regulations, and it should be used responsibly to avoid potential engine damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is NOS? | Nitrous Oxide, a chemical compound that lets you add more oxygen to the fuel system, which in turn gives it some more exploding force, which in turn gets the engine to run harder/put out more power. |
| How does it work? | Nitrous oxide is made up of 2 parts nitrogen and 1 part oxygen. When heated to about 300 degrees Celsius, it splits into oxygen and nitrogen. This extra oxygen then supports the combustion of the enrichment fuel the nitrous system adds when it is engaged. |
| Types of Systems | Dry and Wet. Dry systems introduce nitrous oxide alone into the intake tract, relying on the engine's existing fuel system to provide the additional fuel needed. Wet systems mix nitrous and enrichment fuel by means of an injector nozzle that is mounted before the throttle body. |
| Use Cases | NOS is best for short bursts of high power. It is not permitted for street or highway use, depending on local regulations. N2O use is permitted in certain classes of auto racing. |
| Cost | Nitrous is the least expensive power adder. Street kits usually add between 50 and 250 horsepower, for as little as $500. |
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What You'll Learn
- Nitrous oxide systems (NOS) are not permitted for street or highway use, depending on local regulations
- NOS is a simple way to provide a significant horsepower boost to any gasoline engine
- NOS is best for short bursts of high power
- NOS is the least expensive power adder for your engine
- NOS is safe for the engine and will not cause it to overheat or explode

Nitrous oxide systems (NOS) are not permitted for street or highway use, depending on local regulations
Nitrous oxide systems (NOS) are a type of internal combustion engine that uses nitrous oxide (N2O) to increase power output. The decomposition of nitrous oxide during combustion releases oxygen, which, when combined with fuel, produces carbon dioxide, water vapour, and heat. This additional oxygen allows more fuel to be burned, resulting in greater cylinder pressure and increased horsepower. This is why NOS is often used for short bursts of high power.
NOS kits are available as either "dry" or "wet" systems. Dry systems introduce only nitrous oxide into the intake tract, relying on the engine's fuel injectors to provide the additional fuel required. Wet systems, on the other hand, deliver nitrous oxide and fuel together, resulting in the intake manifold being "wet" with fuel. While wet systems can be used with all four main delivery methods (single nozzle, direct port, plate, and bar), dry systems are typically used with a single nozzle delivery method.
Despite being a relatively inexpensive way to boost engine performance, NOS kits are not street legal in many places. The use of NOS may be permitted for auto racing, but for street or highway use, it depends on local regulations. This is likely due to the potential dangers of improper NOS use, which can damage pistons, bend connecting rods, or destroy a crankshaft. Therefore, it is important to use NOS responsibly and follow fuel-safety precautions to ensure safe operation.
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NOS is a simple way to provide a significant horsepower boost to any gasoline engine
Nitrous oxide engine systems, commonly known as NOS, are a simple way to provide a significant horsepower boost to any gasoline engine. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a chemical compound that introduces more oxygen into the fuel system, allowing more fuel to be burned and thus increasing the engine's power output. This process is similar to forced induction or a turbocharger, but nitrous oxide systems are generally more affordable and can be a good option for those seeking a short burst of high power.
There are two main categories of nitrous systems: dry and wet. Dry systems introduce nitrous oxide alone into the intake tract, relying on the engine's existing fuel system to provide the additional fuel needed. These systems are often used in vehicles with sophisticated fuel injection systems that can adjust fuel delivery in response to the nitrous. Wet systems, on the other hand, mix nitrous and enrichment fuel through an injector nozzle before drawing the mixture into the engine.
NOS kits are available and can be easily installed in cars. They typically include a nitrous bottle, mounting brackets, high-pressure plumbing lines, fuel and nitrous jets, a nitrous filter, and various switches, solenoids, electrical connectors, and wiring. It is important to carefully follow safety precautions when using nitrous, as improper use can damage pistons, bend connecting rods, or destroy a crankshaft.
Nitrous oxide has been used as a performance enhancer since World War II, when it was used by Allied aircraft for emergency boosts in airspeed and altitude. Today, it remains a popular way to increase engine power, especially in racing and street racing cultures.
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NOS is best for short bursts of high power
Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS) are best for short bursts of high power. NOS is a powerful, engine-boosting tool that has been used since World War II. It is a simple way to provide a significant horsepower boost to any gasoline engine. Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound that adds more oxygen to the fuel system, allowing more fuel to be burned and thus increasing the engine's power output.
There are two categories of nitrous systems: dry and wet. Dry systems introduce nitrous oxide alone into the intake tract, relying on the engine's existing fuel system to provide the additional fuel needed. Wet systems, on the other hand, mix nitrous and enrichment fuel together, which is then drawn into the engine. Wet systems can be used in all four main delivery methods: single nozzle, direct port, plate, and bar.
NOS is commonly used in drag racing and has been popularized by street racing culture and media such as movies and video games. It is a cost-effective way to increase engine performance and can be safer than other options when used correctly. However, improper use of nitrous can damage pistons, connecting rods, and crankshafts.
To ensure safe use, it is important to have an adequate fuel system and follow fuel-safety precautions. Additionally, NOS may not be permitted for street or highway use depending on local regulations, so it is important to check before use.
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NOS is the least expensive power adder for your engine
Nitrous oxide, or NOS, is a chemical compound that lets you add more oxygen to the fuel system, which in turn gives it more exploding force, allowing the engine to run harder and put out more power. NOS is a safe, reliable, and the least expensive horsepower booster. It is also the easiest to install.
NOS increases the density of the air entering the cylinder. Nitrous oxide is stored as a liquid in tanks but is a gas under atmospheric conditions. When a mole of nitrous oxide decomposes, it releases half a mole of O2 molecules (oxygen gas) and one mole of N2 molecules (nitrogen gas). This decomposition allows an oxygen concentration of 36.36% to be reached. Nitrogen gas is non-combustible and does not support combustion. Air—which contains only 21% oxygen—permits a 12% lower maximum oxygen level than nitrous oxide. This oxygen supports combustion; it combines with fuels such as gasoline, alcohol, diesel fuel, propane, or compressed natural gas to produce carbon dioxide and water vapour, along with heat. This causes the former two products of combustion to expand and exert pressure on pistons, driving the engine.
The system increases the engine's power output by allowing fuel to be burned at a higher-than-normal rate, because of the higher partial pressure of oxygen injected with the fuel mixture. Nitrous injection systems may be "dry", where the nitrous oxide is injected separately from the fuel, or "wet" in which additional fuel is carried into the engine along with the nitrous. NOS may not be permitted for street or highway use, depending on local regulations.
While NOS is the least expensive power adder, it can be disastrous on internal engine components. It is the most violent of the "power adders" because of the chemical reaction involved. Therefore, careful attention must be paid to the strength of engine components and the accuracy of the mixing systems.
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NOS is safe for the engine and will not cause it to overheat or explode
Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS) are internal combustion engines that use nitrous oxide (N2O) to increase the engine's power output. Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound that, when heated, releases oxygen and nitrogen gas. This extra oxygen supports the combustion of additional fuel, creating greater cylinder pressure, which results in increased horsepower.
There are two main types of nitrous systems: dry and wet. In a dry system, nitrous oxide is injected separately from the fuel, while in a wet system, nitrous oxide and fuel are injected together. Dry systems typically use increased fuel pressure or injector pulse width to provide the correct ratio of fuel for the nitrous. Wet systems require careful attention to avoid backfires caused by fuel pooling or uneven distribution of the nitrous/fuel mixture.
NOS is commonly used in racing applications and can provide significant performance gains at a relatively low cost. It is important to use high-quality NOS kits and to follow the prescribed safety guidelines to ensure the safe and effective use of nitrous oxide in engines.
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Frequently asked questions
Nitrous Oxide System (NOS) is an internal combustion engine that uses nitrous oxide (N2O) to increase the engine's power output. Nitrous oxide provides more oxygen for fuel combustion, allowing the engine to burn more fuel and produce more power.
NOS can be delivered through "dry" or "wet" systems. Dry systems inject only nitrous oxide, relying on the engine's fuel injectors to provide the additional fuel required. Wet systems inject a mixture of nitrous oxide and fuel directly into the engine.
For 4-6 cylinder engines, premium pump gas is recommended for nitrous system settings up to 75hp. Above 75hp, racing fuel is advised. For 8-cylinder engines, premium pump gas is sufficient up to 125hp, and racing fuel is recommended beyond that.
When properly installed and used, NOS is generally safe and will not cause overheating or engine explosion. However, improper use can lead to engine damage, so it is essential to follow safety precautions and consult professionals for installation.
NOS refills can be obtained from authorised refill locations. The brand Holley, for instance, provides information on finding NOS refill locations near you.
























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