Armody, nitro methane is an oxidizer. It assists the internal combustion as it needs little (in some cases none) outside oxygen to sustain combustion. For example while gasoline needs 14.6 # air per # of gasoline to sustain internal combustion, nitro need only 1.7#.

Nitro will therefore increase performance up to a point. With good lubrication your engine will be OK for its normal life. OTOH great amounts of nitro can harm the engine such as racers do because of the ultimate performance so demanded. I lost a few rods and crankshafts back in my racing days.

Nitro has a high flame temp. however at the lower levels of normal uses, the extra oxygen produced usually runs a cooler head temp.

Nitro flash point is 110*F. Fairly safe as compared to methyl alcohol and gasoline.