The History of Nitrous Oxide.

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Joey D

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Holley's Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS) Brand
The use of nitrous oxide (N20) as a performance enhancement has been traced back to World War II, where it was employed to give Allied aircraft "emergency" boosts in both airspeed and altitude capabilities. However, with the advent of jet propulsion at the end of WWII, the government's interest in piston-powered aircraft waned. And for the most part, nitrous R&D was shelved.
There were sporadic attempts at using nitrous oxide in race cars over the next few decades, but since tor the most part it was a clandestine, closely-guarded secret, not too many people were aware of its existence.
Finally, in the 1970s, nitrous "came out of the closet" and was the hot topic of conversation. Especially since a number of entrepreneurs brought systems to market that were highly erratic, at best.
It was at this point in time when a couple of successful automotive technicians and racers, Mike Thermos and Dale Vaznaian, saw there was a potential for nitrous - done right.
In 1978 Mike and Dale formed Nitrous Oxide Systems, Inc., and the rest is history. They didn't invent nitrous oxide - they simply perfected its use and elevated it to a position of prominence.
Admittedly, the company's early years were largely spent demonstrating that nitrous oxide was an efficient, safe and reliable form of performance enhancement.
NOS has always been known for thoroughly engineering each application, using only the best quality materials, and producing kits that were easy to install and built for long service. And with enthusiast publications like Hot Rod Car Craft and Popular Hot Rodding among many, informing their readerships with in-depth tech features on NOS systems for various applications, the word began to spread.
Perhaps the greatest boost to the popularity of nitrous oxide was the advent of drag racing's Pro Mod class. Early pioneers like Charles Carpenter, Bill Kuhlmann and Robby Vandergriff captured the imagination of race fans with their impressive performances with stock-bodied cars. And NOS was there for every performance milestone - the first 200 mph run by a "doorslammer," the first 6-second run, etc. In fact, every single key performance milestone with nitrous has been set by racers using NOS systems.
Today, as a Holley brand, and with over twenty years experience building nitrous systems for racing and street applications, NOS remains as the dominant force in the industry. A great deal of the company's success can be attributed to its ongoing pursuit of perfection and extensive R&D efforts. Another key factor is the relationships that NOS has forged with leading racers and professional engine builders. Their input has served to keep the company on the leading edge of technology.
As we enter the next millennium, NOS stands ready to serve its customers with the industry's most complete selection of nitrous oxide systems and a technical support team that's often rated as the best in the business.
 
I dunno......I've always viewed NO2 as "Cheaters Gas".

I know the **** is a lot more popular with tuners in Canada...usaully one of the first 2 engine mods. Running NO2 is a bit of a pain in the ass here in Cali. When the cops run up, you gotta dissconnect your bottle and hide it in the bushes.
 
Originally posted by Option2
I dunno......I've always viewed NO2 as "Cheaters Gas".

I know the **** is a lot more popular with tuners in Canada...usaully one of the first 2 engine mods. Running NO2 is a bit of a pain in the ass here in Cali. When the cops run up, you gotta dissconnect your bottle and hide it in the bushes.

im with you mate, youll never see any of that crap in my car.
 
Well, if you consider n20 a cheater product, then any forced induction product, normally aspirated mod or even bolt ons a cheater product as well.
Heck, you might as well just run the car stock then.
Nitrous is no different than weight reduction on a car, is that cheating too??
The only dilemna with the n20 is that it isnt an all the time power adder like the forced induction.
Say what you will, nitrous will be around for many years and most of the IDRA, NHRA, IHRA and many others use the nitrous for the speeds you see today.
I plan on the Nitrous Express system for my car and not to be fast as my car will be in the 14's when I add the juice.
It will only be used for the those times when Im up against someone that is faster than me like Vettes, Cobra's etc.
Not dissin your comments, just another view on the subject.
Misnblu
 
I'm not really a fan of the go juice. Plus why would I have it in my every day ride? I would never use it unless well maybe at the track but I only go there like 2 or 3 times a season.

I wouldn't really concider it cheating either, more of just not being on the same level as a non-No2 car.
 
Well, when I do get mine, Ill have all the amenities for sure.
Remote bottle opener, bottle warmer, purge valve and the usual contention of meters to moniter the gas.
It would also be a stealth operation on the lines and wires as I have lots of experience in electronics and installation. It will be a challenge for anyone to see unless you really dig deep.
Everyday street ride, hell yes. :haha: :lol: ;)
Misnblu
 
I don't really view nitrous as cheating or anything else. It's just another method to fuel all our passions for speed in out cars. I'm still interested in getting one for my IS300, but my budget is tight right now and I want it done correctly. I will certainly need all the bell's and whistles for it in the climate that I live in. But I just want nitrous as a quick and easy way to get a little more fun out of my car, that's all. If I had the finances, it would be the toyo moto stage 5 for me all the way. But alas, $30,000 for a turbo is a bit out of my price range. That is also another thing that makes nitrous more likeable, it's easier on the pocket book.
 
ya it is easier then a turbo, but you can use a turbo when ever you want, nitrous on the other hand you can use for what seconds?
 
Oh, trust me. I would certainly prefer a turbo over nitrous any day. It's the fact that the least expensive turbo for my car that I have seen to date, is in the $6000 range. Uninstalled.
 
True again.
But the thing always overlooked is the all motor car running in the 14's and then adding nitrous.
Going 14's all motor is pretty quick so you should be in good company. Nitrous just gets you that added bonus of not losing. ;)
Thats my philosophy.
Misnblu
 
I see it all the time. Kids (or 'guys') who get their moms Civic (or trade that Civic in for an Eclipse) spend $200 on an intake and go to the races only to get smoked by anything and everything they go up against. So......they drop $500 on a NOS, Venom, or Nitrous Express setup and find they can squeeze off win after win every weekend (until they crack the head or bust a con rod).

Not to mention, when I get pulled over I don't need to run out and remove my turbo..........because it's LEGAL!!!!!

Nitrous is Cheaters Gas when used on the street........not on the track.
 
:lol:
People actually do that stuff?

My one of mates dad has a Ford Cortina with a chevy V8 unit it, he uses nitrous oxide. But his car has a ton of other mods as well and he usually takes it to the drag strip at santa pod.

The thing is he wont tell me what times he gets on the 1/4 mile :mad:

(or trade that Civic in for an Eclipse)

Now I wonder who that could be?
 
Originally posted by Option2
I see it all the time. Kids (or 'guys') who get their moms Civic (or trade that Civic in for an Eclipse) spend $200 on an intake and go to the races only to get smoked by anything and everything they go up against. So......they drop $500 on a NOS, Venom, or Nitrous Express setup and find they can squeeze off win after win every weekend (until they crack the head or bust a con rod).

Not to mention, when I get pulled over I don't need to run out and remove my turbo..........because it's LEGAL!!!!!
Nitrous is Cheaters Gas when used on the street........not on the track.

thats right. if i get pulled over by the cops and they look under the bonnet, they see a blower that is legal.

i went down to scope the rice boys out one night and i dragged a few of them (up to the speed limit) and beat them piss easy. they had nitrous...i dont need it 😈
 
You know, it always sounds like sour grapes when someone says they hate nitrous oxide. It's only cheating if the rules state it is.

Quit crying (and no, I have no vested interest in my decision).
 
Its a power adder just like forced induction and just doesnt have it at all times.
Misnblu
 
I look at it this way: most people who use nitrous on the street are doing serious damage to their engines because they don't know how to use it properly. So, they may be 'fast' now, but soon they're gonna fry something. ;)

But, then there are the people who really know what they are doing - those are the really quick cars. But, since you shouldn't be street racing in the first place, N2O should be a track-only item. It should be illegal on the street, just like running without headlights. On the street, it's dangerous - even when in the hands of a 'professional', and even more so in the hands of a 18 year old F&F speed freak.

Just my thoughts. :)
 
Originally posted by AltF8
I look at it this way: most people who use nitrous on the street are doing serious damage to their engines because they don't know how to use it properly. So, they may be 'fast' now, but soon they're gonna fry something. ;)

But, then there are the people who really know what they are doing - those are the really quick cars. But, since you shouldn't be street racing in the first place, N2O should be a track-only item. It should be illegal on the street, just like running without headlights. On the street, it's dangerous - even when in the hands of a 'professional', and even more so in the hands of a 18 year old F&F speed freak.

Just my thoughts. :)

Nicely said and to the point.
Yeah, most dont know what they are doing and just like to push buttons.
Watching the F&& movie has tainted the minds of the younger crowd and want to emulate the movie with all the bottles etc.
Remember after seeing the movie how all the wannabees revved, burned out and all the unsafe things you can think of after the movie?? Nothings changed since then and think the situation is getting worse, well at least here in America.
Misnblu
 
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