After driving a heavily modified Volvo 850 Turbo, my Maxima just feels like road kill waiting to be smacked. I already have an intake which sounds absolutely AWESOME. I have an SMC short shifter which I will install when I get a y-pipe, cat, and b-pipe installed soon after exams (finals end May 2nd for me, and then it's modifying time).

Besides those power upgrades, there really usn't that much to do. Yes there is turbo and super charging, but those are out of my price range for now. As such, it looks like nitrous this summer for me.

While doing some research on this board through search as well as checking in with the websites of various nitrous companies such as Nitrous Oxide Systems, Nitrous Express, Venom and Zex, I've run into some unanswered questions. I'll break them down by company.

Nitrous Oxide Systems: Their 5124 kit seems to be highly regarded on this org. But I have some concerns about their safeness. I have heard tonnes of reports of bad experiences with NOS components, but then again, I hear that it is very reliable just as long as you don't push 50hp. Does anyone have personal experience?

Nitrous Express: My biggest question with this company is with thier EFI Stage 1 kit for imports. It doesn't explicitly state on the web page, but it appears as if this kit is a wet kit. Am I correct? I have read on this board that wet is not a good idea on the maxima because of the long intake manifold runners, but I have also heard that NX is very efficient at atomizing the gas so that distribution to each cylinder is pretty darned even. Any have personal experience?

Venom: From an engineering standpoint, Venoms VCN-2000 system is the ultimate system. Infinite programmability, and HUGE power increase range. I like the ability to run either progressive, time based and full on like most nitrous kits. However, there is a price drawback of a suggested MSRP of $1500 US, which is way more than I am willing to spend, especially with NOS kits coming in at $500. I should be able to get this kit for $1000 flat, so price isn't a huge issue, but I would like to hear from the nitrous veterans, as often, what looks good on paper, doesn't work that well in the field. I have heard of poor electronics from Venom in the past, but with the new VCN-2000, and a couple years since, I was wondering if anyone knows much about Venom nitrous.'

Zex: This kit seems like a good kit, but from what I have heard, they have electronic issues as well. Atleast the price isn't too bad. But from what I have read, the electronics that come with the Zex kit don't do much beyond what the 5124 NOS kit does. Has anyone ever worked with Zex nitrous, and know from experience?

I intend on running 50hp until I have time to tune it a bit higher, to say 100hp. I intend on running the kit on the 50hp shot until I have the money to get things that will help me monitor what's going on. Thus beyond the kit itself, I do not plan on getting many accesories. The accessories I do plan on getting are bottle warmer, and pressure gauge for the bottle. Are there other accesories I should get if all I plan on doing is running 50hp until I have more money for more accessories? What accesories will I need to get up to a 100hp shot?

I would like to keep the final cost well under $1000 US, thus if I go with the Venom kit, I'll have to hear some DAMN good arguments as to why

 

1. For the same reason I skipped over NOS.

2. Yes, the NX is a wet kit. Not wanting to start another fight, I personally see no problems with the wet kit. I am going on 25,000 miles since I put in my nitrous and I go through about 1 bottle a week. No problems. I am also on my stock tranny with No VB Mod or tranny cooler. My car has over 125,000 miles.

Thanks,
Erik

 

If you don't mind me asking, how much was your NX kit?

 

This is a cut and paste from VWVortex but its about the same stuff we keep hearing here, it perpetuates itself. I think the main reason we keep hearing about the puddling deal is because it is in the NOS install manual. I have just installed a 5124 that was given to me but I am going to buy the NX conversion kit and go wet. Most of the experts that talk about puddling are running a dry NOS kit but they are experts on what damage a wet kit will do. Like this quote below states do your own homework and don't go on hearsay of the so called EXPERTS.


BTW Erik what shot are you running?

 

100 shot. My setup cost $1,500. I got the kit, the bottle heater, remote opener, purge valve, 2 gauges (Close to $150 a gauge) and the custom box setup.

Erik

 

How much was the Sport Compact Stage 1 kit alone? Where did you get it? Where is a good place to buy nitrous kits?

What else have you done to the fuel/ignition to handle a 100 shot i.e. fuel pump, spark plugs, ignition upgrades, injectors?

 

I like my NX Kit. 8,000 Miles on it, and one drunken friend hitting the nitrous w/o the bottle hooked up and injecting a 35 shot of gas into the motor, my Maxima still runs in tip-top shape. And I use it a lot.

 

How much did you guys pay for this NX kit and is there a certain model number that i should be looking for? E-bay has one but its pushing $500 bones. They say that retail is $799.

 

With NX wet kit.

Pro: You take the fuel pressure and fuel injectors out of the equation. You don't have to worry about maxing out your fuel injectors.
Con: You will have greater chance of running rich or lean with NX wet kit. You results will be more inconsistant.

With NOS dry kit.

Pro: It raises fuel pressure according to your bottle pressure. More consistant results.
Con: You might max out your fuel injectors.


If you don't ever plan on using it more than 100shot, go with NOS.

If you do plan on going more than 100shot, go with NX.

 

BTW. Do not walk, but run away from the ZEX kit.