Theory on Gas
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
You run Higher Octane gas on N20 because the higher the octane the more resistance it has to detonation so you can run a little more timing as well N20 specific fuels control the intial flame propagation to control cylinder pressure. The more HP you are runnig nwith N20 the more of a necesity higher octane becomes. remember if you can hear detonation you are doing damage ESPECIALLY with any force fed application. Most times you do not even know its happening that is why Knock sensors are so important they detect the specific frequency detonation has and pull out timing from the Octane Tables in the ECU. as you know Nitrous is 2 parts nitrogen and 1 part Oxygen. at 535 degrees the nitrogen molecule separates from the Oxygen and becomes inert providing a cushoning effect once ignition starts to control cylinder pressure. this is why you can't run straight oxygen. It burns too hot and violent. the presence of nitrogen is an inert gas that just takes up space and controls the burn in effect. this is a 20,000 foot view but hopefully gets the point across.
