Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

spraying nitrogen on intercooler?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 31, 2004 | 04:32 PM
  #1  
BigPlanTransAm's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Jersey boy
Default spraying nitrogen on intercooler?

liquid nitrogen is extreemly cold just like nitrous(2/3nitrogen anyway)and i know some people spray nitrous on their intercoolers but i would think pure nitrogen would be a tad cooler and maybe even a little cheaper. i dont hear alot of talk about nitrous on the intercooler and i've heard none about pure nitrogen, has anyone tried this, is there any reason you cant? TIA
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2004 | 06:36 PM
  #2  
red ws6 99's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces, NM
Default

Originally Posted by BigPlanTransAm
liquid nitrogen is extreemly cold just like nitrous(2/3nitrogen anyway)and i know some people spray nitrous on their intercoolers but i would think pure nitrogen would be a tad cooler and maybe even a little cheaper. i dont hear alot of talk about nitrous on the intercooler and i've heard none about pure nitrogen, has anyone tried this, is there any reason you cant? TIA

Liquid nitrogen is around -330 Deg F, you have to keep it in a dewar (well insulated tank) or it will boil off fairly quickly. But yes it will cool down an intercooler very well. Its very cheap, but you have to have a well insulated storage tank.

Gary
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2004 | 08:33 PM
  #3  
GueSS Who's Avatar
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
Default

Ya like paintball tanks. Carbon Fiber is really light.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2004 | 09:45 PM
  #4  
slow's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 7
From: Orlando
Default

why not C02, cheap, easy to get, and colder than nitrous

Ryan
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 05:46 AM
  #5  
BigPlanTransAm's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Jersey boy
Default

C02 is colder than nitrous, or did you mean nitrogen? i always thought pure nitrogen was one of the coldest liquids available to the public. anyway, do you think it would be a good idea to insulate a C02 tank as well?
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 05:48 AM
  #6  
BigPlanTransAm's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Jersey boy
Default

oh, and not to postwhore but i would think there wouldnt be anything wrong with putting nitrogen into a nitrous tank would you? maybe if i wrap it in some type of insulation?
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 09:09 AM
  #7  
White_Hawk's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 0
From: Pontiac, MI
Default

The cold comes from the pressure change, not because it is an extra cold liquid or anything. When gas goes from high pressure to low, it gets colder. When it goes from low pressure to high, it gets hotter (thus the need for an intercooler on boosted cars).

The only issue with doing it is making sure you don't get any into your intake track - nitrogen is inert and will kill your tuning.

-Geoff
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 09:35 AM
  #8  
smokinHawk's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (48)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,354
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, ohio
Default

doesnt NX make a kit for that called the inercooler.
Noyzee has it

NX says you can use Co2 nor n2o
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 09:42 AM
  #9  
slow's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 7
From: Orlando
Default

nitrous compared to C02, the Co2 is colder,

liquid nitrogen is very very cold, but im not sure how you would "spray" it on a intercooler, as it is a liquid at 0 pressure, (if bottled, im sure it raises pressure, but not sure how high it will go to, the liquid nitrogen that is used at the engineering lab that i have used, has special pressure release devices.) where as C02 and N20 are already at 1000 psi, so the bottle pressure is not a problem, you just need to add a solenoid, and a fan.

Ryan

Last edited by slow; Apr 1, 2004 at 09:51 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 01:35 PM
  #10  
Koncrete's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Back in the OKC now...
Default

the main problems with liquid nitrogen are

A) inerts gas - you dont wanna get this anywhere at the front of your car where is could get sucked into your intake

B) Freezes stuff to fast - if you ever get a chance run some through an intercooler pray you have 0% humidity because you will get I formations INSIDE the intercooler.....

here is some more data on nitrogen:

Nitrogen (N2) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that makes up 78.09% (by volume) of the air we breathe. It is nonflammable and it will not support combustion. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless.
Nitrogen gas is slightly lighter than air and slightly soluble in water. It is commonly thought of and used as an inert gas; but nitrogen will form compounds through biological activity, at high temperature, or at moderate temperature with the aid of catalysts. It forms nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide with oxygen, ammonia with hydrogen, and nitrogen sulfide with sulfur. At high temperatures it will combine with certain active metals, such as lithium, magnesium and titanium to form nitrides. It is necessary for various biological processes, and is a component of ammonia-based fertilizers. In combination with halogens and organic compounds, nitrogen can form explosive compounds.

Nitrogen condenses at its boiling point, -195.8o C (-320.4o F), to a colorless liquid that is lighter than water.

More nitrogen is used by customers than any other industrial gas. Nitrogen is produced as a gas by pressure swing adsorption or diffusion separation processes and in gaseous or liquid form by cryogenic distillation, Cryogenic processes can produce very pure nitrogen while adsorption and diffusion processes are typically used to make lower purity product in relatively small amounts, in particular when purity is not critical and alternatives (purchase of bulk liquid nitrogen, cylinders of high pressure nitrogen, or local cryogenic production) are more expensive or impractical.

Gaseous nitrogen is valued for inertness. It is used to shield potentially reactive materials from contact with oxygen.

Liquid nitrogen is valued for coldness as well as inertness. When liquid nitrogen is vaporized and warmed to ambient temperature, it absorbs a large quantity of heat. The combination of inertness and its intensely cold initial state makes liquid nitrogen an ideal coolant for certain applications such as food freezing. Liquid nitrogen is also used to make soft or heat sensitive materials such as used tires, plastics, certain metals and even pharmaceuticals hard so they can be machined or fractured.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

something to keep in mind nitrogen will splatter really bad on contact with anything that is not colder then its condensation point, so if your pouring into a small or even medium opening containor and you miss.......I hope you have a ski suit and a face shield.

here are some links for Liquid Nitrogen

fun stuff:
http://www.physik.uni-augsburg.de/~ubws/nitrogen.html
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/fune.../nitrogen.html

and more serious stuff:
http://www.williams.edu/Physics/kfor...d_nitrogen.htm
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/safety/lnitcry.htm

CO2 is far, far safer, easier and more cost effective to use
but I do hope I have given you some decent information



BY THE WAY this is important, without special equipment to keep the temprature down
DO NOT PRESSURIZE LIQUID NITROGEN
you will blow something if you do the pressure will warm it causing it to phase from liquid to vapor, and it takes ALOT of vapor to make liquid, a hell of a lot

Last edited by Koncrete; Apr 1, 2004 at 01:50 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 01:48 PM
  #11  
S_J_H's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: Downers Grove,IL
Default

nitrous compared to C02, the Co2 is colder,
Actually n2o is colder than co2. -129F for nitrous and -109F for Co2
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 03:40 PM
  #12  
BigPlanTransAm's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Jersey boy
Default

very interesting, but how come liquid nitrous doesnt explode when pressurized inside of a bottle, even with a bottle heater? afterall, it is 2/3 nitrogen and very cold.
im not disputing what you're saying, im just a curious guy.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 03:41 PM
  #13  
BigPlanTransAm's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Jersey boy
Default

very interesting, but how come liquid nitrous doesnt explode when pressurized inside of a bottle, even with a bottle heater? afterall, it is 2/3 nitrogen and very cold.
im not disputing what you're saying, im just a curious guy.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 07:11 PM
  #14  
red ws6 99's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces, NM
Default

Originally Posted by BigPlanTransAm
very interesting, but how come liquid nitrous doesnt explode when pressurized inside of a bottle, even with a bottle heater? afterall, it is 2/3 nitrogen and very cold.
im not disputing what you're saying, im just a curious guy.

Nitrous is in gaseous form not liquid. The temperature drop you get when injecting it into the engine is strictly from expansion of the gas (high pressure to low pressure)

There is no issue with pressurizing liquid nitrogen with an external source (as long the tank can handle it), that would actually keep it liquid form more easily.

The issue with liquid nitrogen is that is the temperature gets above the boiling point it expands, if I remember right its about 600:1 expansion ratio. Pressurized tanks are vacuum jacketed, have relief valves and have a continously open vent line so pressure can not build up.

Also, you can poor liquid nitrogen on your skin without much worry of damage. If you get it on standard clothes, it will stay in contact with your skin for a few seconds it will definetly freeze.

We use two or three semi-truck loads a week at work. We store the liquid nitrogen in tanks and convert some to gaseous nitrogen to pressurize test systems. All clothes we use are treated with a chemical that prevents absorbtion and we definetly have eye and face protection.

Gary
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2004 | 09:07 PM
  #15  
Koncrete's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Back in the OKC now...
Default

I wouldn't want a pressurized bottle of liquid nitrogen inside or outside
with an expansion rate of 696.........one frozen valve and you could potentialy blow the side of your car off......
here is a link for some safety issues I have been reading about

http://www.inform.umd.edu/CampusInfo...idNitrogen.ppt

and bigplantransam - nitrous is a gas, liquid nitrogen is a liquid.
nitrous is at 1000psi give or take a hundred or so

liquid nitrogen has an expansion rate somewhere at 696:1

so if you have 1 quart and it all manages to go through phase change at the same time you will have 173 gallons of pressurized air needing to find a vent somewhere -this is extreme but without proper precaution

red ws6 99 you are correct it really wont hurt skin with minimum exposure, but I can see someone accidentally pouring this on thier foot and with the low viscosity of this in liquid form it will go into any regular clothing.....
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2004 | 06:05 AM
  #16  
BigPlanTransAm's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Jersey boy
Default

so its really not practical at all in an automotive setup due to the reliability and safety issues associated with it. and the steps needed to make it safe and reliable would probably negate the performance gained by its use. you would basically need a refrigerator(or a rigged up ac)running all the time to keep it cool enough inside its insulation.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2004 | 10:39 AM
  #17  
02BlueFirehawk's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
Default

Now that the theoretical b.s. is out of the way, just run nitrous (~$4/lb) or even cheaper co2 (~$2/lb).
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2004 | 11:43 AM
  #18  
BigPlanTransAm's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Jersey boy
Default

nitrous is $5/lb up here and i already have it anyway, but its just something to hold me back in the seat untill i find the right turbo . my favorite thing about FI is that there are so many more ways to make power as opposed to NA or N20 where your options are basically more radical heads/cam and jet up.
so really it looks like C02 is the way to go for intercooler spray.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2004 | 08:59 PM
  #19  
Koncrete's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Back in the OKC now...
Default

yea just stay with nitrous or use CO2 for cooling.....
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:40 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE