Nitrous

Nitrous

Nitrous-Oxide Exhaust System

By Phil White

Always use a low restriction performance exhaust system when running a nitrous-oxide system. A nitrous-oxide motor produces much larger quantities of exhaust gas than a non-nitrous motor, and this additional exhaust backpressure needs to escape. Larger diameter dual (if applicable) exhaust tubing with a crossover pipe before the mufflers, with high-flow mufflers and catalytic converters will do the trick. You could lose up to 50 hp plus from a restrictive exhaust system on your nitrous-vehicle. As for headers, use 1/8 to 1/4” larger diameter primary tubes if the vehicle is used strictly for drag racing. If you use these larger diameter headers on the street, you may reduce your gas mileage and non-nitrous motor performance. So it might be wise to run smaller diameter headers for street use, since you probably won’t be using your nitrous system that often.

Drag Tech Fact: Most engines can handle more nitrous oxide in proportion to engine rpm. Example: 6,000 rpm it can safely handle twice the nitrous of 3,000 rpm.