How Much Horsepower Does a 50 Shot of NOS Add?

A “50 shot” of nitrous oxide typically adds about 50 horsepower at the crank (flywheel) under ideal, well-tuned conditions; at the wheels, most cars will see roughly 35–45 additional horsepower, depending on drivetrain losses and setup. In practice, the exact gain varies with bottle pressure, jetting accuracy, fuel quality, ignition timing, and overall engine health.

What a “50 Shot” Really Means

In industry terms, the shot rating (e.g., 50, 100, 150) is intended to represent the approximate horsepower increase at the crank when the system is jetted and tuned per the manufacturer’s specs. Although “NOS” is often used generically, it’s a brand name (Nitrous Oxide Systems); the physics are the same across brands: nitrous increases the oxygen content of the intake charge, allowing more fuel to be burned and producing more power when the system is engaged.

Expected Gains at the Wheels

Because drivetrain components absorb power, wheel horsepower (whp) gains are lower than crank gains. As a rule of thumb, a 50 shot often nets about 35–45 whp for typical street setups. For example, with an estimated 15% drivetrain loss (common for many manual RWD cars), 50 hp at the crank translates to roughly 50 × 0.85 ≈ 43 whp. With higher losses (e.g., some automatic transmissions or AWD systems), the gain may land closer to 35–40 whp.

Real-World Example

Suppose a car makes 300 whp naturally aspirated. A properly set up 50 shot often takes it to around 335–345 whp on the same dyno. Torque gains are especially noticeable at lower rpm: added torque ≈ (HP added × 5252) ÷ RPM. So a 50 hp increase at 3,500 rpm equals about 75 lb-ft more torque, tapering proportionally as rpm rises.

What Can Change the Actual Gain

The final number you see on the dyno or feel on the road depends on several mechanical and environmental factors. The following points summarize the most influential variables that determine whether a 50 shot achieves its rated increase.

• Bottle pressure: Keeping nitrous between roughly 900–1,000 psi helps maintain consistent flow and power.
• Jetting accuracy: Correct nitrous and fuel jets (per the kit chart) are critical to achieve the intended horsepower and safe air–fuel ratios.
• Wet vs. dry kits: Wet kits add both fuel and nitrous, often offering more consistent enrichment; dry kits rely on the ECU/fuel system to supply extra fuel.
• Fuel quality: Higher octane (91–93+) or E85 supports timing and detonation resistance, especially under load.
• Ignition timing: Many tuners pull about 1–2 degrees of timing for a 50 shot, depending on engine and fuel.
• Air–fuel ratio and tuning: A properly enriched mixture prevents lean conditions that reduce power and risk damage.
• Ambient conditions: Temperature, altitude, and intake air temps influence oxygen density and power.
• Engine health and compression: Good ring seal, plugs, coils, and fuel pumps/injectors ensure consistent results.
• Exhaust flow: Restrictions can blunt gains; free-flowing exhaust helps realize the rated shot.
• Drivetrain and dyno type: AWD and certain automatics show more loss; dyno brand/mode also affects readings.

When these variables are in the optimal range, results tend to cluster close to the kit’s rating at the crank and the expected range at the wheels; if they’re off, gains can be lower and consistency suffers.

Tuning and Setup Tips for a Safe 50 Shot

To get as close as possible to the advertised increase—and to keep the engine safe—most builders follow a handful of proven practices. The following list highlights the key steps that maximize performance and reliability with a 50 shot.

1. Use the manufacturer’s recommended nitrous and fuel jets for the 50 hp setting.
2. Verify fuel system health (pump, filter, injectors) and monitor AFR with a wideband O2 sensor.
3. Retard ignition timing about 1–2 degrees for a 50 shot, or as advised by your tuner and fuel choice.
4. Run premium fuel (91–93+); E85 can offer extra detonation margin if the system and tune support it.
5. Maintain bottle pressure around 900–1,000 psi with a heater and gauge for consistent delivery.
6. Use safety controls: a wide-open-throttle (WOT) switch, a window switch (RPM window), and a failsafe cutoff.
7. Fit one-step-colder spark plugs, properly gapped; avoid fine-wire platinum/iridium for nitrous use.
8. Limit spray duration to short bursts on the street; monitor knock and pull timing if needed.
9. Log data and, if possible, validate on a dyno to confirm AFR, timing, and power gains.
10. Inspect lines, solenoids, filters, and fittings regularly for leaks or flow issues.

These measures help the engine realize the intended horsepower increase while reducing the risk of detonation, lean conditions, or component failure.

Frequently Asked Clarifications

Will a 50 shot harm a stock engine?

On a healthy, modern engine with proper fueling and conservative timing, a 50 shot is generally considered a mild, safe increase. As with any power adder, abuse or poor tuning can reduce longevity.

Do wet kits make more power than dry kits at the same shot?

At the same jet rating, total potential is similar, but wet kits can deliver more consistent results by adding fuel directly with the nitrous. Dry kits rely on the ECU and injectors, which must be properly calibrated.

Can you use a 50 shot on a turbo or supercharged engine?

Yes. A small shot often helps spool and reduces intake temps, but tuning margins are tighter. Use conservative timing, ensure ample fuel, and monitor knock and exhaust gas temperatures closely.

Summary

A 50 shot of nitrous typically delivers about 50 hp at the crank and roughly 35–45 hp at the wheels, with actual gains depending on drivetrain loss and setup. Correct jetting, fuel quality, timing management, and bottle pressure are key to hitting the number safely. Expect especially noticeable torque gains at lower rpm, and validate with proper logging and, ideally, dyno testing for best results.

How much more HP does NOS add?

For most cars, a small dose of nitrogen is enough to boost up to 50 horsepower (depending on the engine). If you want to increase power by more than 50 hp, pay attention to the technical condition of the main engine parts. Pistons, cylinder heads, connecting rods, gaskets, and bolts may need to be replaced.

How much horsepower does a 50 shot of nitrous add?

If you add a 50 shot of nitrous oxide at 6000 RPMs, that 25% power comes from your cylinder pressure increasing by 25%. If you add the same shot at 3000 RPMs, you’ll go from 100 horsepower to 150 horsepower, which is a 50% increase in cylinder pressure; twice as much stress on the engine.

How long does a 100 shot of nitrous last?

How long will my bottle last? For every 100 shot, a 10 second use will use approx. 1 lb of nitrous. This means you can typically do 6-8 runs with a 100 shot using a 10 lb bottle.

What does a 50 shot of nitrous mean?

A 50 shot of nitrous in the automotive context refers to a specific horsepower increase setting of a nitrous oxide (NOS) kit, which adds approximately 50 horsepower to the engine for a brief period. This slang term “shot” is a measurement of the potential performance gain, not a count of individual injections. The actual performance gain depends on the engine’s RPM, and a 50-shot is considered a relatively modest and safer level, but still requires careful tuning and supporting engine modifications to avoid damage.
 
How a Nitrous Shot Works

1. Injects Oxygen: Nitrous oxide is a gas that, when released into an engine, turns into a gas, providing a significant amount of extra oxygen. 
2. Boosts Combustion: This extra oxygen allows the engine to burn more fuel, resulting in a momentary and temporary increase in power and speed. 
3. Activates with Button/Programming: The nitrous system is not constantly active; it is only activated when a button is pressed or programmed to come on, delivering its power boost for short bursts of acceleration. 

Key Aspects of Nitrous Systems

• Horspower Rating: The number (e.g., 50, 100) in a nitrous system’s designation indicates the intended horsepower increase from that kit. 
• Tuning: To achieve the rated power, the nitrous kit must be properly “tuned,” which often involves adjusting the fuel and nitrous jet sizes. 
• Supporting Modifications: A higher horsepower shot puts increased stress on the engine components, like the engine’s pistons and head gasket. For a “50 shot,” the risk is lower, but it’s still recommended to have supporting modifications to handle the added stress and prevent engine damage. 
• Wet vs. Dry: Nitrous kits come in two main types:
  • Wet kits: mix the nitrous and fuel together before injecting them into the engine, offering greater control and safety by ensuring the engine doesn’t run lean. 
  • Dry kits: inject the nitrous alone, relying on the car’s existing fuel system to add the necessary fuel to avoid a lean condition, which is a more complex setup.