After a lot of reading, I have decided to go with a NX kit and run a 75 shot. My father, who technically owns the car (although I pay for all of my insurance and almost all of my modifications) is very apprehensive about allowing me to put a N2O kit on my car. I plan on running all of the safety components and having it dyno tuned, but he still wants me to go the cam route. For the price and the power gained, I cannot justify spending $2,500 on cams when I can get twice the power out of an NX kit for half the price.

He comes from the older hot rodding days when N2O systems were not nearly as advanced as they are today. So, I need some educated responses that I can show to my father that will convince him the N2O is not going to shell my motor with that small of a shot. I was originally going to go the S/C route, but I've realized I cannot make enough money to afford one. I understand there is always the possibility of something going wrong with N2O, but my father does not belive me that a S/C with put more wear and tear on the enginge than N2O. I have explained to him that the frequency that N2O is used vs. the constant strain a S/C puts on the engine essentially puts less wear and tear on the motor going the N2O route. So, can some of you with experience please help me out? I sure would appreciate it.

 

Nitrous is very safe when used correctly on a good running motor with proper setup. A 75shot is very very conservative and is pretty damn safe to run. YOu dont even need any fuel mods to run a 75wet shot.

You will want to run one step colder plugs like autolite 103's or my choice of NGK TR6's (part number 4177 at any store). YOu MUST run the higest octane you can get at a pump 91-93. The saftey stuff IE a window switch and fuel pressure saftey switch are a nice idea ( i personly dont like FPSS, but thats me). Over all i would say do a search there is alot of info here about it.

I would go into it more,but i dont have the time at the moment.

 

I agree with Dustin. With a 75 shot, if something goes wrong, then its your fault, not the systems. So you could miss shift and blow the intake. Nitrous and fuel could leak into the intake, you turn the car on and the intake blows.

Its safe, but theres always the possibility of something going wrong. Just make sure you have the safety stuff and a good tune and you should be fine.

 

I am a father and probably old like your dad - lol. I also "used" to have nitrous on my Mustang, but now have a blower. Here is the deal....

1 - Adding power adders has risk. 75 shot, 100 shot....you can toast a motor. You can also toast a motor with a blower. There are no guarentees and if you start playing with nitrous, you need to be prepared to have problems. You might, you might not.

2 - You will get bored with a 75 shot. It will be fun the first few times, then you will want more. I can already see the future post...

3 - Cams while safe, are no guarentee either. I have seen a car with nothing more then cams blow the first time at the strip.

4 - Is nitrous safer then a blower? Sure, if you don't spray. A bad tune will smoke a motor in seconds no matter what power adder you use. But I will bet you dollars to donuts that per mile driven, a super charger is a 1000 times safer then nitrous. Guys with nitrous probably only use it < 3% of the time when they are driving it, yet they have more then their fair share of issues.

5 - While nitrous appears to be cheap, it gets expensive really fast when you start to use it. At $50 - $75 per bottle, you can use a complete bottle in one night at the track or more. Kind of sucks when you have a low paying job. Also, as you begin to increase your shot (and you will want to) you can quickly spend a lot of money in fuel system upgrades and accessories. Before you know it, you will be pissed that you just did not get a blower.

6 - One good thing about nitrous is that you can pull it off and sell it and the car and no one has to know that you sprayed. BUT, if they do know that you used nitrous, the value of the car is going to suffer. Nobody wants to buy a car that had been previously sprayed.

Nitrous is an ideal power adder for the serious racer. Or, a nice fun mod for the ocassional user if you go with a basic, simple kit and keep your shot low. But a super charger is a way better mod. I don't think you will find anyone who currently has a blower wish that they could go back to nitrous.

Guys like Dustin have really learned to "Tame" nitrous. He has had great success. But, it needs to fit your goals for the car.

 

One oher thing, I assume you are young and it would seem that your dad is generally "ok" with modding the Mustang. You are lucky. Enjoy this while you can! It is more important for you and your Dad to discuss these issues and both get on the same page. This way, you can both enjoy the car and have lots of great memories. One way or the other, when something bad happens you don't want an "I told you so" moment. If you guys are both in agreement and doing projects together, this will never happen.

 

I definately agree with your points. I have a wonderful father. I have been priveleged enough to drive a car like I have, let alone be allowed to mod it. He lives vicariously through me with my stang. He grew up being a gear head and has passed that same passion down to me. He owned a '68 Roadrunner with a 383 with 440 heads. When he was 18 he completely rebuilt the motor (and by rebuilt I mean top and bottom end) by himself. After that car was totalled (no fault of his own) he dropped his rebuilt motor into a '69 RR all over spring break when he was 19. I have always admired my dad and his knowledge of engines. I always think it is funny to let him drive it, he can't help but spin the tires! (He's 45 btw)

Where we differ is when it comes to newer cars. He is more of a fan of building up a motor, because that is what he is used to. He doesn't know too much about all the electronic things that cars have today, and the electrical side of a N2O system is kind of Greek to him. So, I am just trying to convince him that N2O systems aren't as harmful as he thinks. I have paid for everyone of my mods, save for my wheels (which I got used for a xmas/b-day present), so it is nice to look at my car and be proud to say that I did everything, even the installations.

The reason why I wan't a N2O system is because I like the idea of power on demand. I don't plan on making a full out race car with it. I just want a nice looking car that will give me a little thrill now and then. I know that with a S/C I would always have my foot in it. With nitrous, I wouldn't be using it as much because the power is not always there. I plan on not purchasing a bottle opener for this very reason. The more work I have to do to use it, the less likely I am to use it. But, when I want that seat of the pants feeling, I can always have that option.

 

Well, you have a really cool dad. Ultimately, you have to convince him and you two guys have to agree.

As far as your comments about nitrous, don't kid yourself. I guarentee that after the initial thrills and all the time spent installing a system, you will be pissed you did not get a blower. Trust me. I know your type....and your dad.

Can't afford it now, save up. Find a used blower. Be patient, and you will score a deal. A full-on complete nitrous system can cost $2500 especially after a chip/tuner and a dyno tune. I paid $3,000 from my slightly used Novi-2000 and I guarentee your dad will be able to install it, while the nitrous system will just get him confused. Used Vortec systems cost even less.

 

I'm not too worried about him being confused with all the wiring as I would be the one installing it. I just need him to realize that N2O is not as harmful as he believes.

 

Oh, nitrous IS as harmful as he believes. One false move and your motor is toast. The thing is you have to do it right. I fyou take all the precautions you can greatly limit the risk. But even the best nitrous systems relies on electronics and moving parts. Things break.

But even so, your best friend and worse enemy can be you. You need to learn as much about nitrous as you can. Or, you can be a dope, have a great setup, and still dick-up the motor because you don't understand why you can't spray for 20 straight seconds while it is 95 degrees outside. I am NOT saying this is you, just making a point.

 

I know your are not saying I am like that and I am greatful for your input. I have done hours (and I really mean hours) of reading about nitrous--internet, magazines, even videos. I think I have a pretty good grasp on the risks and do's and don'ts. Although I cannot predict what the future holds for my me, I believe I can competently, confidently, and responsibly run a N2O kit. All I need to do now is assure my father of this. It won't be until the summer that I have enough money to purchase everything. All the money that I would have for it is being spent on a new spec stage 2 clutch and installation. My TOB has crapped out so I figured I might as well upgrade the clutch while the tranny is out. So there is no rush to get everything.

 

Seems like you have the situation well in hand and have the right attitude.

 

What WaterDR is trying to say is... Don't get nitrous. Get a blower and save yourself the time and head ache of nitrous. I personally think a blower is alot safer then spraying...just toomany things can go wrong, but it is all about the tune.

 

just as many things can go wrong with a blower. If you think having a blower is any safer then nitrous your in for a surprize. The only extra risk of nitrous that a blower doenst have is nitrous backfires. Which can be taken care of with a window switch so it doesnt turn on to soon or off to late.

 

Heres an example of what I was talking about, http://forums.modulardepot.com/video...-manifold.html

 

big mistake on that guys part. I've accidently sprayed nitrous and gas into the car after I parked I wont start the car till the next morning.

 

When I finished spraying, I would leave the car on, turn off the system, close the bottle, then purge out all the nitrous.

When you're getting ready to spray, you can have the heater on, but leave the system off, no point in having it on. Do your burn out, turn the system on, purge a couple times, then you're good to go.