Nitrous vs. Supercharger
06-03-2011, 04:05 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 986
Nitrous vs. Supercharger
If I am only going to need/use the juice once every blue moon when I race someone from a stoplight or take the car to the track, does it make sense for me to get a n20 kit vs. a supercharger? I know fill ups add up, but I honestly think i want a supercharger more than I 'need' it.
06-03-2011, 04:41 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 1,347
Let's be honest, I did not need it on either of my cars....LOL.
That being said, I am biased, as 2 out of 3 of my cars (3rd is a corvette) are supercharged. I have never had nitrous in any of my cars, but I do understand it is the cheapest way to go fast. However, it's only cheap if you don't hurt anything. If you truly start adding all the "bells & whistles" to a nitrous kit, it get's up there in price. While you can probably get yourself a "bag & bottle" kit for about $500, is it really worth it? Some say yes, like I said, I'm biased!
I would personally save some $$$$ & go heads/cam/intake or FI, just my .02!
Mike
PS Stop kidding yourself about only using it at the track......
That being said, I am biased, as 2 out of 3 of my cars (3rd is a corvette) are supercharged. I have never had nitrous in any of my cars, but I do understand it is the cheapest way to go fast. However, it's only cheap if you don't hurt anything. If you truly start adding all the "bells & whistles" to a nitrous kit, it get's up there in price. While you can probably get yourself a "bag & bottle" kit for about $500, is it really worth it? Some say yes, like I said, I'm biased!
I would personally save some $$$$ & go heads/cam/intake or FI, just my .02!
Mike
PS Stop kidding yourself about only using it at the track......
06-03-2011, 04:43 PM
#3
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,645
I don't think any of us NEED our go-fast mods. But FWIW when I drive the Mustang I use that Supercharger almost every time I touch the throttle. I could be all alone, not another car in sight, and I'm still mashing that thing. It gives me a smile ear to ear. If some punk is there who just got his doors blown off, thats just a bonus.
06-03-2011, 04:46 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 986
Let's be honest, I did not need it on either of my cars....LOL.
That being said, I am biased, as 2 out of 3 of my cars (3rd is a corvette) are supercharged. I have never had nitrous in any of my cars, but I do understand it is the cheapest way to go fast. However, it's only cheap if you don't hurt anything. If you truly start adding all the "bells & whistles" to a nitrous kit, it get's up there in price. While you can probably get yourself a "bag & bottle" kit for about $500, is it really worth it? Some say yes, like I said, I'm biased!
I would personally save some $$$$ & go heads/cam/intake or FI, just my .02!
Mike
PS Stop kidding yourself about only using it at the track......
That being said, I am biased, as 2 out of 3 of my cars (3rd is a corvette) are supercharged. I have never had nitrous in any of my cars, but I do understand it is the cheapest way to go fast. However, it's only cheap if you don't hurt anything. If you truly start adding all the "bells & whistles" to a nitrous kit, it get's up there in price. While you can probably get yourself a "bag & bottle" kit for about $500, is it really worth it? Some say yes, like I said, I'm biased!
I would personally save some $$$$ & go heads/cam/intake or FI, just my .02!
Mike
PS Stop kidding yourself about only using it at the track......
My interest in n20 is partly because there is a local guy selling(and I quote) "bottle, ZEX smart box, all lines, hoses and fittings, bottle warmer, bottle pressure gauge, dual purge kit and the install instructions. " for $350 and he will install it for me.
I should probably add that I'm a college student, and my only source of income is my co-op. I make a little over 10k/semester when working. I will make 20k or so in the next 6 months, not counting my tax return. I have to pay off my car( owe about 10k) and pay for school/books/food/gas/insurance. I can fit a supercharger into the budget, but it's gonna be close.
06-03-2011, 04:48 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 986
I don't think any of us NEED our go-fast mods. But FWIW when I drive the Mustang I use that Supercharger almost every time I touch the throttle. I could be all alone, not another car in sight, and I'm still mashing that thing. It gives me a smile ear to ear. If some punk is there who just got his doors blown off, thats just a bonus.
P.S. out of curiosity, what are you f/i guys getting mpg wise? also, what is a total kit+install kit estimate? If I went with Procharger, I have had a couple people tell me I could get a full kit for $3500 or less if I shop around.
Last edited by Roush05; 06-03-2011 at 04:50 PM.
06-03-2011, 04:54 PM
#7
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maui
Posts: 4,752
In most states its illegal to have that bottle hooked up. FI is the way to go. Its been said for years, I heard it and never believed it till I crossed over. I don't watch mpg, I just fill with premium and continue the fun.
06-03-2011, 04:55 PM
#8
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,645
Well my car came supercharged, I just upgrade other components. And I do all the work myself so I save cash there. If you did all the work yourself, or with a buddy, you could probably get blown for 4k.
MPG wise my mileage didn't suffer at all during 90% of my driving. It actually got better as I upgraded my shortblock to a lower-compression forged block. But with the boost bypass, the supercharger sucks very little power. I'm sure in boost I'm sucking it down 2x as fast as before. But on the highway I can still see 22-24 if I'm nice.
MPG wise my mileage didn't suffer at all during 90% of my driving. It actually got better as I upgraded my shortblock to a lower-compression forged block. But with the boost bypass, the supercharger sucks very little power. I'm sure in boost I'm sucking it down 2x as fast as before. But on the highway I can still see 22-24 if I'm nice.
06-03-2011, 04:56 PM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 1,347
I think this way myself, but I was wondering if the N20 would end up being more cost effective. I could buy the kit and have it installed monday and have it now, vs waiting a year or more for f/i, if i could afford it.
P.S. out of curiosity, what are you f/i guys getting mpg wise? also, what is a total kit+install kit estimate? If I went with Procharger, I have had a couple people tell me I could get a full kit for $3500 or less if I shop around.
P.S. out of curiosity, what are you f/i guys getting mpg wise? also, what is a total kit+install kit estimate? If I went with Procharger, I have had a couple people tell me I could get a full kit for $3500 or less if I shop around.
I see you live in Ga, if you're close to Jacksonville, I know about 3 very good tuners down here.
06-03-2011, 05:00 PM
#10
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 1,347
I think this way myself, but I was wondering if the N20 would end up being more cost effective. I could buy the kit and have it installed monday and have it now, vs waiting a year or more for f/i, if i could afford it.
P.S. out of curiosity, what are you f/i guys getting mpg wise? also, what is a total kit+install kit estimate? If I went with Procharger, I have had a couple people tell me I could get a full kit for $3500 or less if I shop around.
P.S. out of curiosity, what are you f/i guys getting mpg wise? also, what is a total kit+install kit estimate? If I went with Procharger, I have had a couple people tell me I could get a full kit for $3500 or less if I shop around.
You can also keep an eye out for a used kit, they usually go for around 3K from any of those companies above.