hey can nitrous be compared to running a certain amount of boost? For example, can say a 100hp shot of nitrous be likened to running 6 lbs. of boost through a super/turbo charger? Nitrous is put into the engine from a compressed tank, but it doesn't really create manifold pressure though does it... <img src="images/icons/confused.gif" border="0">

 

Apples to oranges. The results are similar - more power, but its not a fair comparison.

With nitrous, you are super cooling the air, making it much more efficient and in turn adding more fuel. The compression should be close to the the same, but the actual charge is much more potent. Supercharging forces more air down the intakes throat. More air and fuel enter the chamber, resulting in a more power. With supercharging, your engine is forcefed the air it needs instead of working to suck it in.

You cant really compare a nitrous shot and boost directly, although on the same engine, 6lbs of boost and 100 shot may give close to the same results. One big factor is the type of charger. Many don't reach their full boost until upper RPMs(ATI & Vortech), while nitrous will often actually give more torque down low than HP up high in the RPMs. So a vehicle could have a much better launch on nitrous than a charger but still end up with roughly the same HP #s on the dyno.

Screw type chargers (whipple for one) make boost along the complete RPM range.