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Purchasing Nitromethane

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Old 03-20-2005 | 12:15 AM
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Default Purchasing Nitromethane

Well, I was wondering about purchasing a pint or so of straight nitromethane to up the content in the gas I have. I'm not sure if it is cost effective but I've decided that 15% just isn't good enough and that my 4 strokes really really like 20% and I'd like to try 25% or 30% but I don't want to buy a gallon of EACH just to give it a shot.

Any leads? Google didn't turn up much...just 5 gallons or more.
Old 03-20-2005 | 12:27 AM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

Mike....

....check Hot Rod City in Torrance. I usta get my fuel mixed there. There is another
place in Harbor City, but it's in the L.A strip....and may have a Torrance address.

Dave.
Old 03-20-2005 | 12:31 AM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

Many locl hobby shops sell nitromethane by the gallon. I doubt you can buy a smaller quantity than that. Check your local yellow pages for racing fuel distributors and race car parts places. VP and Angus are the common nitromethane distributors. A race fuel dealer might sell a small amount; probably depends on the person's mood at the time.
Old 03-20-2005 | 12:41 AM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

Unless regulations have been relaxed (yeah, right!) it is illegal to sell 100% pure nitromethane. It must be cut with at least 5% alcohol to make it safer to handle. It can be purchased up to at least 50% alcohol, so know what you are buying! If someone tells you he is selling you 100%, have him check it with a hygrometer (to measure specific gravity). A friend used to buy a drum of 50%, add oil only, and wind up with 35% nitro glow fuel. JIM
Old 03-21-2005 | 12:29 AM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

There is no such regulation. The nitro much have and indicator which is a very small percentage, much less than one percent. When it turns purple it is contact sensitive, that is shock can cause it to explode, if kept in a dark plastic jug that is not likely to happen.
Old 03-21-2005 | 02:21 AM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

All I had to do was let my fingers do the walking through the yellow pages. I found a listing under exotic fuels. The minimum I found was 5 gallons, the racing crowd uses this stuff for sprint car racing and top fuel. I bought the KLOTZ oil directly from their website. The % listed on each can was over 99% pure.
Old 03-21-2005 | 08:26 AM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

how much did it cost?
Old 03-21-2005 | 12:57 PM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

I just bought a gallon at a fuel mixer's place in Victorville for $40.00. There was
another place, but he had a 5 gallon minimum. I'll be bumping my 15%
PowerMaster to 20% for the four strokes....they love it.

Try "Gassers Garage" in Harbor City, or "Hot Rod City" in Lomita or Torrance.
I've never seen nitro for sale in a LHS.

FBD.
Old 03-21-2005 | 11:27 PM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

Mike's Hobby Shop in Carrollton TX sells it by the gallon; I think his comes from Ritch's Brew. I made the assumption that if he sells it other LHSs do to.
Old 03-22-2005 | 01:29 PM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

I used to mix my own fuel for boat racing and I can tell you nitro does NOT come with 10% alcohol in it.
If you take pure nitro as is purchased at a speed shop, light a match and place the match in the cup with nitro in it the match goes out!!!!! WHY because it must have and igniter or and accerant with it in order to explode. Put 10% alcohol in it and BOOM litterly, because it now has the additive to catch fire. Pure nitro will NOT catch fire without the addition of in our case alcohol.
Been there done that.

Regards Curt
Old 03-22-2005 | 03:38 PM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

I don't remember the price, but there was a 5 gallon minimum. I got 5 gallons of methanol and a jug of KLOTZ oil too. Racing fuel distributors carry all this stuff. The oil is the most expensive component.
Old 03-22-2005 | 07:31 PM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

Be carefull putting match's in cans of nitro! The match goes out because it is below its flash temperature. If it exceeds 98 degrees it will ignite very well.
Old 04-02-2005 | 09:54 AM
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Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

If you don't want to get in the fuel mixing business, just buy a gallon of the same brand fuel with twice the nitro and mix with your fuel in a extra jug. Your tipical trying to make a rocket with nitro ,so you might as well buy your spare engine now!! Or just get the next size up that won't need the engine killer (nitro) for more power.
Old 04-02-2005 | 11:30 AM
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From: White, GA
Default RE: Purchasing Nitromethane

Run 30% heli fuel in your four stroker...you will love the performance

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