Originally Posted by
SPQR
It seems to me that a turbo Euro is problematic because so many of its functions other than simply running the engine involve the engine management computer (PGM-F1 in Honda speak).
Nitrous Oxide injection might be able to get around this problem: There are, what are known as, '"dry kits" which only inject liquid N2O. These are suited to street tune (unmodified) 4 cylinder cars and supposedly increase power by up to 70 bhp (52kW). They rely on the car's own computer to inject additional petrol (which can be dangerous if a car's computer doesn't properly compensate and add petrol).Most car engine computers can cope with having to squirt more petrol in and these simple N2O kits rely on this to work.
N2O by itself does not increase power as it needs petrol to go with the extra Oxygen atoms. The Oxygen atoms are released from the N2O molecules at temperatures greater than five hundred (and something) degrees centigrade. The Oxygen then mixes with added petrol to increase combustion pressure. As the N2O is injected as a liquid, when it vaporises in the manifold it also cools the intake air temperature substantially, negating the need for an intercooler.
The "dry kits" can be had for around $1,000 plus what is known as purge valve kit. The purge valve clears the N2O line of any vapour so that only liquid N2O is injected. This ensures a rapid response from the engine.
The process is also known as chemical supercharging and was developed in WWII fighter and bomber aircraft as a means for compensating for altitude and to give that little extra boost (in emergencies) to get out of harms-way.
N2O has disadvantages in that you keep having to refill the bottle and the temperature at which the liquid is stored and delivered to the engine is somewhat critical. But, for the occasional boost (for overtaking or to scare the living daylights out of a WRX owner), it can be useful. Oh, also, watch out for the police.
Don't try to use the stuff to get stoned. The grade of N2O used for cars is not pure and has Sulphur Dioxide added to make it unpalatable. If you try to inhale it you will damage your brain. Medical grade N2O (also known as laughing gas) is not available to the general public as it is an anaesthetic.