Step-by-Step: Arming an S-10 with an NOS EFI Nitrous System
Slide Show
Story and Photos by Matthew Held
Everybody and their proverbial brother knows that nitrous oxide is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to increase the horsepower output of any engine. A big reason for the popularity of nitrous is Nitrous Oxide Systems, better known as NOS. The company pioneered safe, reliable, and powerful nitrous systems for everything from two-stroke snowmobiles to six-second Pro Modified drag racers.
Even late model vehicles can enjoy the horsepower benefits of nitrous oxide. In addition to direct-fit kits for Camaros, Corvettes, Mustangs, and Hondas, NOS has two universal kits—one for four and six cylinders, the other for V8s—that work on any EFI engine with either a return or non-return style fuel system. There is no messing around with the OEM engine management system, which makes the kits affordable and easy to install.
To show how adaptable its universal EFI systems are, NOS invited us to see an installation on a 1998 Chevy S-10 pickup with a 2.4L four-banger, If there was ever a vehicle that needed a horsepower boost, it’s the four-cylinder S-Series trucks. NOS also installed a couple of system upgrades—a quick-change nitrous bottle bracket and a nitrous purge kit—plus an array of Auto Meter Phantom Series gauges (tach, fuel pressure, and nitrous pressure).
So what did the NOS kit bring to our S-10 party? Adjusted to deliver a 50-horsepower shot of nitrous, the system added over 26 horsepower and 40 foot-pounds of torque to the rear wheels. If you and your S-dime can’t have fun with that, you just can’t have fun.
| NOS-05130NOS | NOS Universal EFI Nitrous Kit, 4- and 6-cylinder |
| NOS-05131NOS | NOS Universal EFI Nitrous Kit, V8 |
| NOS-14140NOS | NOS Quick-Release Bottle Brackets |
| NOS-16030NOS | NOS Purge Valve Kit, fits -4 AN line |
| ATM-5897 | Auto Meter Phantom Series Tach, 3 3/8” face, 10,000 rpm |
| ATM-5763 | Auto Meter Phantom Series Fuel Pressure Gauge, 0-100 PSI |
| ATM-5774 | Auto Meter Phantom Series Nitrous Pressure Gauge, 0-1,600 PSI |
