Is nitrous street-legal?

Merlin Johnson (d...@connectnet.com)

I don't think it is, not in California anyways.

The latest Options Auto Salon catalog actually stated several reasons for installing NOS. They are as follows:

• NOS offers you more performance per dollar spent, than any other performance modification.
• Nitrous installations are relatively easy to accomplish.
• Since nitrous is used only when needed, it offers you the advantages of complete driveability and normal gas mileage while not "on the button".
• Systems are available for virtually any power need from 25HP to over 500 extra HP.
• These systems are one of the few performance options available for today's computer controlled, fuel injected engines.
• Systems can be easily removed or transferred to another vehicle.

Could someone be kind enough to point out whether Options' reasoning is relative to SE-R or not? Are those reasons true for SE-R? Also, could someone "walk" me through (in details) how exactly does NOS work in SE-R? Would it create any negative effect on the engine, drive- train? And do I have to get an already upgraded chip re-programed for NOS?

Merlin Johnson (d...@connectnet.com)

Addressing the individual reasons:

• NOS offers you more performance per dollar spent, than any other performance modification.

  TRUE

• Nitrous installations are relatively easy to accomplish.

  TRUE

• Since nitrous is used only when needed, it offers you the advantages of complete driveability and normal gas mileage while not "on the button".

  TRUE. Also like a turbo.

• Systems are available for virtually any power need from 25HP to over 500 extra HP.

  True, but for the SR20DE, I am not sure if anyone has gone above a 150hp version. I have a 50hp setup and am going to a staged 100hp setup soon. This is from Jim Wolf, all ECU controlled and very reliable.

• These systems are one of the few performance options available for today's computer controlled, fuel injected engines.

  Not true. All the stuff we have been talking about on the list can work for "today's computer controlled" engines. And only if N20 is done right, that's when it incorporates the ECU mods.

• Systems can be easily removed or transferred to another vehicle.

  True...you just need to plug up the hole in your throttle body. :)

The N20 system from Jim Wolf Technology works by adding a daughter board to your ECU. There are two (or more) programs then, one for the normal JWT modded ECU and one specifically for the N20, this one takes into account changes that have to be made while running N20. This is the best way to run N20 on a daily driver and "get away with" the extra horsepower. As long as the car is tuned for N20 you shouldnt have any problems down the road, unless you are nearing or exceeding the physical limits of the engine. right now not too many people know when a SR20DE motor blows up from too much HP (boost, N20, etc) or the CV joints, the tranny. We all know the stock clutch starts to puke when you have the ECU/Exhuast/POP charger.

I am thinking of installing a nitrous system in my black '93 SE-R with P.O.P air filter and Stillen exhaust. Which application is best out there as far as reliability and price go? Would it be best to have this done in a performance shop or could someone who knows a decent bit about cars do it?

Jui-Lin Hung (j...@primenet.com)

As far as what I think, I feel that direct port nitrous is the best and safest. It guarantees that EACH cylinder receives the same amount of nitrous.

As far as kit prices, they should all be pretty close, but direct port costs the most for installation. If you were to run a dry system (nitrous injected into your intake), sometimes the #2 and #4 cylinders lean out a bit more...or was it the other two cylinders? Nitrous kits run from about $400 on up I think? You can probably work out a price with whoever you purchase it from...it should be pretty reliable as long as you don't go overboard and nitrous happy.

I would not recommend anyone doing their own nitrous kit unless you have done one before or have someone help you who has, because if you do something wrong, such as use the wrong jets, have a small leak somewhere, etc. you can do some serious damage to your engine.

Progressive rate nitrous kits are also getting more popular, but they are more expensive, because they need to reprogram your computer or add another board to control the kit. I'd say go with the direct port if you got the money, shoot, even direct-port progressive. Otherwise, go with the regular dry kit.

What's the difference between a wet system and a dry system for nitrous?

Merlin Johnson (d...@connectnet.com)

A wet system adds both nitrous and fuel in hopefully a correctly measured about for all rpms. A dry system just adds nitrous and lets the ECU do the mixing. The advantage to a wet system is you can go far above the fuel flow of the injectors when you add nitrous and you dont have to fiddle with the ecu programming and it's cheap. A correctly set up dry system can cost more, only works within the current injector flow (want more flow buy bigger injectors) and for best results the ECU should have a separate map for nitrous (basically pig rich).

JWT ECU and NOS...

Searl Tate (s...@expersoft.com)

The JWT NOS set, I think, is $995 if you already have their ECU. You can buy the JWT ECU _and_ the upgraded program if you want to put together your own NOS kit. Something you should keep in mind is that the cheaper NOS parts are plastic. This means plastic brackets and solenoids. The JWT stuff is the "Pro" grade equipment. I can see everyones point about the price though. It is expensive, but is the best/safest way to do any amount of NOS. Once your system is installed, you want it to be something you don't have to constantly tweak. No manual timing adjustments, no pressing of buttons to release the NOS, etc.

The SE-R FAQ
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