Anyone who has done their homework on nitrous knows that when done right, it can be a hell of a good time. The healthy addition of oxygen into the combustion chamber will easily wake up your GM hot rod. Super or turbocharged models also have the benefit of cooled inlet air due to N20's chemical properties that are similar to alcohol, in addition to the added horsepower and hastened spool-up time for turbos. Most often, however, nitrous is a staple among the LT1 and LS1 crowd due to the high factory compression ratio. With the new LS2 boasting nearly 11:1 compression, you can bet in the years to come Gen IVs will be huffing more laughing gas than a hippie at a Phish show. TPI owners have also been getting in on the action for the past 20 years or so to take advantage of the massive torque afforded by the laughing gas.
Since the birth of port injection, however, nitrous technology has grown quite significantly. Consumers now have the option of not only the traditional dry systems but of also stepping up to either a wet or direct-port nozzle system in single or dual stages. The latter systems will accommodate greater horsepower achievements by mixing the nitrous with fuel as it is fogged into the intake rather than relying on the injectors to supply the additional fuel. However, with increased power comes an increased demand on the fuel system and motor, not to mention the driveline or suspension. Before installing any nitrous system, careful planning and inquiry should be made to discover what else will be required to complement the kit, such as tuning, a high-flow fuel pump, dedicated fuel system, slicks, and so on, so you don't wind up getting in over your head. The following list of nitrous systems is meant as merely a starting point in the journey toward dragstrip glory. Please huff responsibly.
Edelbrock
Edelbrock is one of the oldest names in the aftermarket industry and prides itself on producing products worthy of the family name. CNC-machined stainless steel jets, a high-flow bottle valve capable of supporting 500-plus-hp, and detailed instructions come with every kit. Meanwhile, a toll-free tech line is also at your disposal. Stainless steel nitrous and fuel solenoids are flow matched to the horsepower range of each specific kit, and are fully serviceable and repairable. Edelbrock sells a full line of dry systems for EFI applications to provide the safest and most reliable power increase. Custom direct port systems are also available.
Company: Edelbrock
Applications: LT1 F-body
Type: Dry
Base Kit: 10-pound bottle, PRD Diffuser Cap assembly, bottle brackets, brass nitrous pressure regulator assembly, blow-down tube, -4AN steel bottle nut, Teflon bottle nut washer, 18-foot -4AN stainless steel-braided feed line, -4AN nitrous filter fitting, 90-degree -4AN steel swivel adapter, 1/8-inch -4AN brass swivel, 1/18x1/16-inch NPT steel fitting, 1/16-inch NPT tap, 1/8-inch NPT brass barb and male union, Performer nitrous solenoid (.078 orifice), EFI solenoid bracket, solenoid tee, EFI vacuum tee, 24-inch -3AN stainless steel-braided hose (solenoid to nozzle), black-oxide steel nozzle bulkhead fitting, black-oxide fan spray-dry nozzle, stainless steel jets (.042 and .55), 30-amp relay and harness, micro switch bracket, 50-psi adjustable brass Hobbs switch, 3-foot vacuum line, wire pack (upgrade kit also contains: Walbro GS5613-3 high-pressure fuel pump, fittings for the fuel line and filter, fuel-pump relay wire pack, knock sensor bypass relay wire pack)
Power Range: 80 hp (150hp upgrade also available)
Price: $569.95 ($699.99 for 150hp kit)
Other Kits: LS1 F-body (80-125hp) and Corvette dry kit (75-125hp), Universal four- to six-cylinder wet kit (50-70hp), Universal direct port(100 to 500-plus-hp)