While nitrous is one of the oldest and most effective power adders in the world of drag racing, it is still misconceived as a black art. Both its early heritage as a way to cheat in competition and user error have earned nitrous a nasty reputation. However, the dangerous outlaw in all of us, in combination with a thirst for neck-snapping torque and dramatically lowered ETs, often has us reaching for the bottle. But how do we know what kit to purchase? What else do we need to buy? And what can we do to stay safe?
These are the questions GMHTP asked Nitro Dave, who has devoted the last four and half years of his life to providing the best nitrous products on the market. Nitro Dave's Nitrous Outlet sells both its own line of innovative nitrous kits and accessories along with several top manufacturers, including Nitrous Express, NOS, and ZEX. In addition, Nitro Dave is also known for putting together sick direct-port LS1 kits using only the highest-quality materials. His in-depth knowledge in these areas is what made him the prime candidate for writing the following list of nitrous dos and don'ts for your reading pleasure. Nitro Dave was both flattered and happy to share his expertise, and we hope you enjoy.
Do Look At The Warranty
In most companies there is no warranty on the solenoids, but it is a good thing to ask for. Most commonly, solenoids can get clogged in a "dirty install." The installer drags the nitrous main feed line through the car and doesn't put tape over the end. To make matters worse, they usually won't blow out the line with air afterward, either. Then, a piece of dirt will hang open the piston [in the solenoid]. Sometimes fuel additives will also cause a piston to hang open or stick shut. Solenoids are actually pretty simple and easy to rebuild, but most customers are scared of them. So a warranty becomes a must.
Do Not Buy A System By What Is Cheap
Don't focus on price before grasping an overall view. The system needs to be affordable but, sometimes for 50 bucks more you can have a much better system. There are many nitrous companies on the market that are making knock-off parts. They promise the world with their sales pitch, but when you get it, it's not exactly what you thought it was. The solenoids will often be undersized, the nozzles will be low-quality Vortech knock-offs, and the hoses will be 12 inches instead of 2 feet. While shorter hoses help the company keep the overall cost of the kit down, it ultimately limits where you can put the nozzle.