Here's why:
* Increased Cylinder Pressure and Heat: Nitrous oxide drastically increases combustion chamber pressure and temperature. A stock LT1 engine isn't designed to handle this extra stress. This can lead to:
* Rod knock: Bent or broken connecting rods.
* Blown head gasket: Failure of the head gasket sealing the engine block and cylinder heads.
* Cracked pistons or cylinder heads: The extreme heat and pressure can cause catastrophic failure.
* Pre-ignition/detonation: Uncontrolled combustion leading to severe engine damage.
* Lack of Fueling and Ignition Adjustments: A stock fuel system and ignition system are not calibrated to handle the additional fuel demands of nitrous. This will lead to a lean condition (too much air, not enough fuel), resulting in extremely high combustion temperatures and a significantly increased risk of engine damage.
* Internal Component Strength: The stock internals of the LT1, while durable, aren't built for the added strain of nitrous oxide. Connecting rods, pistons, and other components could fail under the increased stress.
To safely use nitrous on a 1996 Z28 LT1, you would need:
* A properly tuned fuel management system: This usually involves a programmable fuel controller or a new fuel system entirely, to supply the extra fuel required.
* A properly tuned ignition system: To manage the increased cylinder pressure and prevent detonation.
* Upgraded internal engine components: Stronger connecting rods, pistons, and potentially other internal components may be needed to withstand the added stress.
* A nitrous kit specifically designed for your engine: Cheap kits can be unreliable and dangerous.
* Professional installation and tuning: Getting this done by someone who knows what they are doing is crucial.
In short, while it's technically possible to install nitrous, doing so without the necessary modifications is highly likely to result in a severely damaged engine and possibly even a dangerous situation. Save yourself the potential heartache and expense, and invest in the proper upgrades *before* adding nitrous.
