am going to put in nitrous

[flydog16]

I have purchased the brand new zex nitrous system for my 01 gagt. Was wondering what I need to do to my car so that I dont kill the engine by shooting nos through it. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[TA^Guy]

So are you using ZEX or NOS?

I personally would never use ZEX or any dry N2O setup. Besides the fact that the whole 'smart computer' is just a bunch of sales pitch bs. It has to depend on the stock fuel system to adjust to the added oxygen. IMO, thats asking for trouble. First off the fraction of a second it takes the car to adjust to realize it needs more fuel. Second not all stock fuel systems can supply the added fuel the N2O demands. This is why wet systems are better. They inject fuel at the same time as the nitrous and use a seperate solenoid tapped into the fuel rail or even before the rail.

With any system your going to need to run a higher octane 91-93 or even more depending on how much nitrous your spraying, and different plugs. Maybe Don can chime in here and let use know what has been working for him since he has a properly set up system and has been spraying for years without any problems.

[flydog16]

sorry, I am running nitrous not zex, any info would be appreciated

[MagusXIII]

Did you get any extras or just the basic kit? If you do not have one already, get a fuel pressure shutoff switch! If your fuel pressure drops too low while spraying, this will kill the nitrous so you do not kill your engine. Not sure if they have them to work with the ZEX unit, but Nitrous Express has air/fuel ratio switches that will kill the nitrous if you run too lean.

Some worthwhile additions would be an air/fuel gauge as well as exhaust gas temp gauge. They will also warn you if you are running too lean.

As for things you can do, first off, if you have platinum plugs installed, GET RID OF THEM NOW! Nitrous WILL eat platinum plugs alive! Replace them with traditional plugs. Iridium plugs are also useable with nitrous, but I just prefer the standard plugs. I am a BIG fan of traditional NGK V-powers. Second, YOU MUST install the nitrous nozzle BEFORE the MAF sensor, NOT after it! If you install a dry system after the MAF, your engine WILL run lean as the MAF will not be able to detect the increased oxygen flow.

John, is correct about using 91 minimum for your octane. If you can find 100 and dont mind paying the tab, you can run half a tank of that with half a tank of 91. Otherwise run a high quality octane booster for cheap insurance. I do see that ZEX has an auxiliary fuel pump. That may be a good idea with a dry kit. I would also recommend getting a chip that has dual programs. One for nitrous usage and another for use without nitrous to make use of the high octane fuel. In fact, if there were two upgrades I would to, they would be chip first then fuel pump second.

Dont spray too often. It will be addicting at first, but resist the urge to do it from every stop.

Those are just the basics. If you have any other questions, just ask. I have been running a Nitrous Express wet system for 3 years now. Engine is still intact and plugs always look good whenever I check them.


Don

[MagusXIII]

Flydog, sorry I got my reply in after yours. But...be it a ZEX brand kit or a Nitrous Oxide Systems brand kit, all dry kits should be ran with the same caution level. What I typed above can easily apply to ANY dry system.


Don

[Phantomus]

I'm also adding the sqeeze to my engine. Here are a few sites full of information that I think you'll be able to use.

http://www.grapeaperacing.com/GrapeApeRacing/tech/nitroushow.cfm

http://www.unclesamsforms.com/rich/nos/

http://www.barrygrant.com/nitrousworks/frames/

On the Barrry grant site, go to technical information for more on setting up nitrous systems.

Good Luck.:)

[MagusXIII]

One of the biggest advantages of a wet kit is that you can fine tune the fuel/nitrous mix. If you are running too rich, you can always go to a smaller fuel jet. If you are running a bit too lean, but nothing severe, you can always go to a bigger fuel jet. That ability to fine tune the ratio is just not present in a dry kit.


Don

[LoneRangers15]

Why did you say run 91 instead of 93. Around here they are usually the same price. Some stations carry 91, some 92, and some 93.

[MagusXIII]

I said to run 91 MINIMUM! Considering the Grand Am is calibrated to run on 87, 91 is the lowest octane one would want to run with nitrous oxide. If 93 is available for the same price or a few cents more, BUY IT!! Shoot, i run 94 octane and it is 8¢/gal more than 92 or 93. cheaper than a new engine.

Bottom line, run the highest amount of octane you can afford.


Don

[VanishingImage]

When is it best to hit the buttom when driving? Spray it when your car is redlining on final gear? Some kids around here i don't think know sh!t about nitrous so i thought id get a real answer from someone who actually uses it.

[MagusXIII]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
When is it best to hit the buttom when driving? Spray it when your car is redlining on final gear? Some kids around here i don't think know sh!t about nitrous so i thought id get a real answer from someone who actually uses it.
You want to spray at 3000rpms or more. Once you are about to redline with a manual transmission,SHIFT!!! You do not want your engine bouncing off the rev limiter or else you are just asking for a nitrous backfire. I know because it happened to me. I was lucky in that it only popped the intake off and did not damage the throttle body in any way. This was 2 years ago and I have since made sure not to let it happen again.


Don

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
When is it best to hit the buttom when driving? Spray it when your car is redlining on final gear? Some kids around here i don't think know sh!t about nitrous so i thought id get a real answer from someone who actually uses it.
This reminds me of the movie Gone In Second Seconds when Cage's character hits teh nitrous at 8000rpms. 'Whoa' is right, that motor would be toast in no time.

[Colin]

Never use any chips or kits that advance ignition timing with nitrous either . :)