I decided to make this thread because lately i have been getting a lot of pm's asking what to buy or if this or that is possible. I would like this thread to be the end all, find most every answer you will ever need here thread. So please help me to make it into that.
I recommend before going any further you read this post:
Nitrous 101/FAQ
Also note i am no where near a nitrous pro, I do not know a lot about nitrous and i only have experience in what i have done to my car (07 si coupe) So if you have any input or you see something incorrect that i have posted please let me know, it will be well received.
Car: 07 CIVIC SI COUPE
What mods do i have?
Engine performance
Injen CAI
Vibrant Streetpower Cat Back Exhaust
Ingalls "Stiffy" engine torque dampener
DC Sports race header
CorSport Intake manifold heat gasket
P2R Throttle Body Gasket
ZEX EFI Wet nitrous system (75 Shot) with:
Wide open throttle switch
Traction Control window switch
Remote bottle opener
Purge kit
One step colder spark plugs
Exterior
20% Tint
Suspension
HFP suspension kit
Interior
CSX center console
TMW short shifter and base bushings
Auger shift boot (alacontra with red stitching)
What should I buy? And from where?
That answer is arguable, Some people argue one kit is better than the other I chose ZEX. Also your needs may be different and you can do without some things like remote bottle opener etc. it all depends on what your goal is.
Here is a list of the parts i purchased for my install:
Nitrous kit #82021 $589.99
Traction control Window Switch #82085 $198.99
Remote opener #82009 $224.99
Nitrous tuner kit #82001 $333.99
Purge Kit #82010 $119.99
You will also need a set of one step colder plugs (part # to follow)
I purchased them from Speedunlimited.com, I am sure you can find better deals in other places but i was happy with the price.
Do I need a different clutch?
Eventually you probably will, when I was doing my research on this everyone told me to wait until the stock clutch was done and then upgrade so that’s what im doing. Still feels the same, although I have smelled it burning a few times lol
Component Comments/Mounting locations
Purge Kit
With the purge kit you can have it basically purge anywhere, I have mine right below my windshield, pretty plain Jane! One of my buddies has his purge out of his front grill. BE CREATIVE!
Window Switch
I had my window switch (it’s a little box almost the size of a pack of cig’s just a little thinner) place in the CSX console where my switches are located. It is pushed to the back but I still can see the display and change the perimeters for nitrous engagement. Although this is defiantly not necessary and most people mount it in the engine bay I like it where it is because I like to look down and see the little light on ensuring me I am spraying.
This item is a good safety tool as well to make sure your not spraying in the wrong RPM’s ect. It also gives you time to get traction. I have mine set to engage at 5600rpms and shut off at 7300rpms. If you have a reflash it will be different and this is a subject able issue as well, some people say you should have it shut off earlier, some say later.. some say you can have it engage anywhere as long as its after 3500rpms and shutoff before 7600rpms. I do not let it engage in first gear either because of traction/safety issues.
Recommendation: Do your research and come up with an informed decision.
Bottle Warmer (included in the Nitrous tuner kit #82001)
I did not originally order one of these with my kit, I thought hell I live in Guam its always 85+ degrees outside so why would I need a bottle warmer? Stupid me! The answer is simple just because the temp in your trunk is high doesn’t mean its going to be enough to sufficiently heat your bottle, the hotter your bottle the more pressure in the bottle which ensure your spray your full shot instead of not having enough pressure. I have heard several explanations as to what the perfect temp is for your bottle and it seems between 86-92 degrees is the most common I hear. You want your bottle to be AROUND 900-1100psi when spraying.
Remote bottle opener
I got a remote bottle opener because I wanted to be able to open my bottle at any time and start spraying if the urge hit me (or the guy in the mustang at the red light taunted me). And I love it, I will admit its more difficult to remove your bottle for fill ups but it is well worth it in my personal opinion! You really don’t need this though if you are mounting your bottle on the floorboard behind you, which I don’t recommend.. read on.
Switches
As I said before I decided to go with the CSX console which replaces the console piece that your shifter sticks through and also adds a handy closeable door right in front of your shifter (just like where your cups go) so my switches could be out of view when I wanted them to be. I have my switches mounted so I cannot see them they are in the inner most part of the tray, they are facing the front of the car. I have my Activation switch and above it is my purge button, I usually hit these almost at the exact same time anyway so it was a perfect choice for me. Legendman Mounted his switches differently he purchased a sheet of abs plastic and had the switches mounted flush to where you could see them all. If you want them to be visible and flat you will need to do the same thing because there isn’t enough clearance under the console for everything.
Installation/Do’s and don’ts
When installing the kit pretty much just follow the instructions included in the kit, if you are doing the install yourself then hopefully this thread helped you a little bit, if your bringing your car to a shop to have it installed make sure they are trustworthy!
It is recommended you go one step colder plugs, I didn’t notice any difference in non spray driving. I will have which plugs are most recommended in the top of this post where it says what I recommend to buy, I am going to create a thread and see what everyone recommends.. I personally called speed unlimited and just said send me your best one step colder plugs, they sent me the Zex plugs.. This doesn’t mean it’s the best but it has worked for me.. I would like to give you the best information available though so stand tight.
Window switch install
After you have your kit installed you will want to install the window switch which it is a fairly simple operation as long as you follow the instructions included in the kit and have the pinout for our car. (06+ si)
Here is the pinout, this will tell you which one to tap into to get your RPM signal as well as your Throttle position.
http://geocities.com/paulo421/fg2ECU.jpg
These are the ones you need out of that diagram..
Connector A
Pin 28 (RPM) Blue wire
Connector C
Pin 20 (Throttle) Red/Black wire
(I found the full pinout and such at this thread, rep the op!
Installing an Apexi AVCR + ECU pinouts)
Do’s and don’ts!
Check your oil before you begin the install, note the oil level.
Check your oil after the install, note the oil level.
Do not tap into the fuel line close to the valve cover! Tap into it where it is thicker below the car.
Do not drill the hole to mount your nozzles with the maf still in the intake (again I have a injen cai) You will want to drill the hole in the metal, not the rubber, as high of a psi as it prays you do not want that thing ripping out when you spray.
Do a general clean install, cables hanging under the car is a bad thing, and don’t tie them onto anything that produces a lot of heat or moves..
Make sure you clean up your install after and tie down any of the SS cables that are just loose, they will eat through your wiring/hoses over time.
Do not repeatedly go full throttle in nutral just to test if its spraying gas.. you will have enough gasoline in your oil to make you want to cry.
I’m sure there is more so if you can think of any let me know.. I just put what my MECHANIC did..lol needless to say its not cheap getting MAF’s and parts to fix mess ups overnighted to Guam…
Testing
After everything is installed and looks good and you have quadruple checked everything and your ready to start spraying (you have already made sure the zex kit is shooting gas) I recommend starting with the smallest spray (25). For me I sprayed a few times and then pulled the plugs and had my new mechanic check them under a microscope for detonation (tiny pits in the plugs). If your plugs are a chocolateish color its not a bad thing, if they are white or dark black..its bad.
Filling your bottle
When I bring my bottle to get filled (it’s freaking 11.00 a lbs here) I put it in the freezer overnight, the next morning I bring it in a ice chest, once I get there they put it into the freezer again. This cools the bottle so more will fit in there, like nearly everything in this world nitrous gets more dense as the temp drops so this will allow them to fill your bottle.
Drag strip etc
I drag my car every Friday (weather permitting) and one of the things you need to be cognizant about if you plan to race your car at the drag strip is the NHRA rules/track rules. Before I was allowed to run my car I had to get two tech inspections, one where they check to make sure my seats are mounted properly and things aren’t just hanging, and the next where they checked to make sure my nitrous install was safe. There is a decent amount of rules concerning nitrous usage in the rulebook, make sure you research them before your install so you don’t have to do like I did and redo a few things. (rules are diff for where you mount the bottle, blow down tube placement etc) either way if there is a kinked hose or anything don’t try to spray.
At my track you must wear a helmet and a fire jacket. (why the rest of your body doesn’t matter I don’t know its beyond me) but a good place to start before your install would be to call your local track and ask them their requirements to do nitrous passes, each track varies slightly.
How I use my nitrous
Like I said I have used my nitrous on the street and on the track, its 11.00lbs here so I am usually pretty cheap with it on the street! Before I go to the track I check everything possible, tires, belt, coolant, oil. On my way to the track I meet up with about 4-5 others that drive SI’s and I usually purge there so im not showing off that im running nitrous at the track (I do this parked because of my window switch..) When I get to the track I do the paperwork and line up to race, while im in the line before I stage I check the gauge to make sure im at a decent pressure. Right before I stage I open the bottle and flip the activation switch.. I stage and race..easy eh? You will want to keep your bottle closed as much of the time as possible because if there is any tiny leaks you are slowly (probably to slow to matter) losing pressure and nitrous.. I do not constantly purge because it’s a waste and im not into showing off, I have the fastest si on island and knowing that is enough for me.
Remember this thread is a living document meaning I will be updating/adding to it constantly so check back, I will be getting pictures soon as well.
Just like I said before I am no where near a nitrous pro, I am just doing a write up on the questions I had and the questions I have been asked since my install. I ran into serious issues with my install because neither me or my mechanic was educated enough and it cost me serious money (over 1500.00 for complete install/fix’s) so I am more or less letting you know my lessons learned. I suggest to you that you read articles and post like this and make your own informed decision, weight out things like needs, budget, practicality and go from there. A lot of the information is not as straight cut as it should be, there is a lot of argument about what is best and I am just providing you with what worked best for me so don’t use this as the nitrous install bible.
Also have to thank everyone for helping me in my search :for info, especially legendman he got the brunt of my dumb questions, most of which occurred when I called him at like 3am lol. He also was privy to hear my ranting and swearing when I had to order parts to fix things my mechanic f’ed up. Thanks Nathan!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT ARENT ANSWERED HERE PLEASE PM ME AND I WILL ADD THEM AND THE ANSWER TO THIS THREAD!