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Originally Posted by Jmarleau  Anyone out there have any experience with any of the Nitrous kits out there for the S197? I am interested in trying a kit this year and I am wondering which kit to use. From what I can see, the NOS kit looks good because it has a built in window switch, but the ZEX kit has "Active Bottle Pressure Control" (A/F ratio), but the Edelbrock kit looks the best (complete) and they claim the highest "safe" no tune hp. They all seem to use the TPS (no microswitch). Any tips? Is nitrous stupid? How long will a ten pound bottle last? Will the system work at, say, 400 psi, as aposed to 1000 psi? (ZEX Kit?) Looks like in my area a ten pound bottle can be filled for $75. $$$! For 75 - 80hp $600 seems good. |
A ten bottle has about 7 lbs of usable nitrous. Go to the NX (Nitrous Express) webpage and check out their FAQ. (You should also consider NX, by the way.) They have an equation for estimating nitrous use. A 75 shot should last you maybe 15 shots or more if you used in short bursts.
Nitrous won't give you a very good hit at 400 psi, no matter the kit. You need a heater to keep pressure up, which is sold seperately of course. Remember, a compressed gas cools when released from a container. As you use the system the bottle will cool and flow will reduce. If pressure is low, then you just won't make the advertised hp. It won't hurt anything, you just won't get a good "hit".
In the case of low pressure the Zex kit will try to correct the A/F ratio and the other kits will run rich.
You should have at least:
- Fuel Pressure Safety Switch. You might need to ask Zex how the wiring should go or it's included in the kit with their "Nitrous Monitoring Unit". I'm using a 30 psi switch from Edelbrock with my NOS kit. That way if the pump should fail the nitrous will shutoff. Otherwise, if you have problems with the pump while you're spraying you'll run lean and possibly blow your engine.
- Blowdown tube and adapter. That's for safety. Don't forget the adapter to fit the bottle.
- Window Switch. You already knew that.
- Nitrous Pressure Gauge on bottle or on the pillar. Again, for safety and performance. It let's you know when the bottle has reach ideal pressure (950 psi, I think?) and for safety. If it gets too hot, then your pressure could approach 1100 psi and that's too high.
Spraying over 1100 psi could cause damage to solenoids at the least. That's why you measure bottle pressure. Not to worry, though, 1100 psi happens at about 97 degrees. Google "nitrous pressure vs. temperature" for a chart.
If you have an auto you may want to use your window switch to turn the system off during shifting. I'm really conservative and run my switch from 3k to 5.5k rpm. That way I don't spray through the shift. That's just personal preference, though. Plenty of guys seem to be spraying through shifts without any trouble.
I installed a complete NOS kit in about two weeks going really slowly and taking my time. I wasn't in any rush, just working a little at a time. You'll need several different carbide bits to drill through the trunk and to mount the window switch and some basic wiring tools (crimper, crimps, etc.), but otherwise nothing special.
Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords and Mustang 5.0 Magazine have all done articles on how to install NOS and Edelbrock kits. The articles are available online and should be of help.
Honestly, I don't think there is a world of difference in the base kits. Some accessories are done better than others. It's safe to have a thermostatly controlled heater (not by pressure) that does NOT hook directly to the battery for instance.
I chose NOS because of their moderate price, good customer serivce, and their trick digital window switch/tps system. Edelbrock and NX make a plate system, that means it's easier to intstall, but more expensive. Still, it does mean running longer wires, I think.
You can install the kit if you have basic wiring skills and plan everything out ahead of time. Making a wiring diagram of your control panel, fuse everything with those piggie back minifuses, measure and mark everything and you'll be fine. Ask questions if you run into any snags during the install.
Nitrous Kits for the S197, Which one? 
all motor now.Don't ask.
I pay $3.75.Nitrous is very inexpensive . I would not deal with anyone in ant way that is charging that much.
