When there is a need for speed and a desire to see performance rise, many car enthusiasts explore the aftermarket addition of nitrous oxide systems. These unique devices can boost power like nobody?s business and they have been doing so for decades. There are some precautions that go along with their use, but for fans of fast cars, they are the stuff dreams are made of.

Nitrous oxide systems have long been used in racing cars and other high performance vehicles to give them an extra push of acceleration when it is needed the most. Although technically illegal in most jurisdictions for use on the roadways, these kits are not at all uncommon in racing. The use of this unusual modification dates back years and actually originated not on the roads, but in the skies.

Nitrous oxide systems were, in fact, first installed on World War II-era airplanes to give them a boost of speed as they closed in on enemy targets. This technology also was used to help planes function properly at high altitudes where oxygen in the atmosphere is scarce. It eventually translated to the roads and became popular thanks to NASCAR racing vehicles that began to boast such systems in the 1970s.

Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas, which has a number of uses. While it is a favorite for car enthusiasts, it is most commonly known for use in dental offices to ease the bite of surgical procedures. In vehicles, the addition of nitrous oxide essentially produces more oxygen for the combustion process to work. This results in an increase of power than would normally take place during standard combustion. The heat of combustion is what breaks down nitrous oxide into its two components ? nitrogen and oxygen. This provides the extra oxygen boost for power production.

On the roads, nitrous systems became popular for a number of reasons. This type of system can enhance vehicle performance by:

Supporting the combustion process, which is required for vehicles to operate; Enhancing overall engine power.

To enjoy the extra power provided by nitrous oxide, two different injection kits have been developed. One is called a dry injection system and the other is wet.

Dry injection kits spray nitrous oxide directly into a vehicle?s intake manifold where the gas mixes with air and other fuel at the fuel injectors themselves. This type of system does produce a less enhanced burst of power than the wet systems, but are popular nonetheless.

Wet injection systems provide shots of nitrous oxide with fuel included in them. This is sprayed directly into the engine, generally at the throttle body. Wet systems do provide more overall power, but they can result in backfires due to puddles of fuel that can accumulate in the intake manifold.

When there is a need for a little extra speed and performance, nitrous oxide kits can provide it. These kits can be installed into most vehicles, but use of them is not always legal on standard roadways. Despite this, the tradition of getting that little bit of an edge that nitrous can provide does date back decades and remains strong in racing circles where power is everything.