Nitrous on a 96

Hey all, I've got a question for you.

I'm considering a 75-shot of nitrous on my 1996 Firebird. I assume everything is stock (I bought it used from a dealer, Carfax says it's only had one other owner).

Is there anything that I should know before doing this?

I know they recommend a new fuel pump, but how important is that? I asked a Holley rep, and he said that it's not important. I want more opinions though, considering the fact that he was trying to sell my a system. I'd prefer not to replace the fuel pump because my mechanic told me that would require removing the rear axel.

I've also read that you need new pistons and new ignition. Any truth to that?

Holley recommends ignition retard. A few people say that I might already have that in my car. Anyone know if that's true?

I know I'm asking for a lot of answers, but I'd rather know the truth before I spend money to destroy something that I've spent a lot of money on :)

Thanks a lot,
Dan

Why in the world do you want to put NOS on your car? Is this your daily driver? If so, you would be foolish to do so. NOS is for racing applications only. If you tear down your engine every so often then sure run NOS and buy alot of new parts for the ones that break, but i'm sure you are talking about a daily driver. I don't think you understand how terrible NOS is to your engine. Everyone thinks NOS is the answer to all of their needs to gain hp, thanks to the movie the fast and the furious. Pay no atttention to cars and their performance in hollywood movies. Just ask all the import tuner morons that hooked up NOS to their 4 banger and blew their engine. Trust me it is not worth it. Like i said for race applications. I own a 1969 Firebird 400, the engine is freakin built, crazy fast, and there is no way i would even dream about hooking NOS up. I love my engine too much.

a small shot of nitrous aint all that bad, it aint completly safe but it aint like your throwing a 100 shot or a 200 shot of nitrous on it
i would go with a 50 or 55

Hey, do what you want... you will find out who is right, i only have been working on engines for 14 years, what do i know. I hope you aren't wanting to get like 100,000+ miles out of your car. Oh and there is a reason why Holley wants you to get a ignition retard/retard your timing, do to the fact that they know NOS will blow apart your engine with original timing. They don't want to be liable for blowing up your engine but they want to sell the product.

i never said it WASNT bad

LOL... you are forgiven.

You're right, every day driver, but that's just that. I wouldn't be using the nitrous often. I want to install it to learn more about my engine and car, and also just to have it there. If there are other modifications that can get me 75 extra hp, then please let me know. I'm not set on getting nitrous -- it was just an idea -- I DO, however, want to modify my car, like I said, to gain more knowledge and experience with it. Any more help would be great.

Installed by a knowledgeable mechanic and used by a knowledgeable driver an engine with nos can be as reliable as it was before nos. NOS is a power adder just like a supercharger or turbocharger and many people throw on turbos and superchargers all the time without blowing their engine, the only difference between installing a charger and installing NOS for performance boost is that there is more information and knowledge about installing chargers than there is about installing NOS since chargers have always been preferred since you don't need to buy the gas everytime you go out and have fun.

If you decide to install NOS do your homework or get someone who has done it before to do it for you or help you. As for fuel pump with enough flow, how important is it. Lets just say it's as important as having wheels on your car when you driving on the freeway. It's crucial that you have enough fuel to mix with the nitrous so that you don't run lean. Ignition retard is typically for higher shot settings. For your planned 75 just make sure that your running a factory timing curve. And one last thing

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Catback,..... turbos, superchargers, and NOS all tear up the engine and greatly reduce how long the engine will actually run. Using any of those products and expecting it to run just as long as a stock engine would, then you are greatly misunderstood. All of these products push extra power out of your engine that it was never designed to do. There for it tears apart the engine far more rapidly then normal wear and tear.

driving your car eats up your motor, so who gives a fuck you will just need a new one sooner, not my money or your money so let the guy do it

SphinXX: you obviously never seen a car with stock turbo or supercharger, they last as long as their supposed to. It's not the add on that damages the engine it's how well it's installed and matched to the engine and how well the driver/owner takes car of the car. I will give you the fact that highly modded and charged funny car engines don't last long without being torn down and rebuilt quite often but that's only because they're maxing everything to the limit, they run the most horse they can without blowing up and then they run hard everytime they drive. But to each his own, you fear chargers n NOS while I embrace them. Mainly because if we have the exact same car with mostly the same N/A mods if I have a charger or nos I'm gonna walk you. Also in my opinion firebirds as well as camaros and mustangs are speed demon toys and not grocery getters so even without putting a charger or nos on your still not expecting longevity like you would if it were a family sedan. All in all these are my opinions and everyone is entitled to their own.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Well, I HAVE done a lot of homework. I keep getting mixed opinions, so maybe you can help me:

Where would you suggest I go to learn how to drive it right? Where would you suggest to have it installed? What kind of fuel pump would you recommend? What other mods would I have to make to make this more reliable?

Thanks again,
Dan

The only cars that hold up to superchargers and turbos that last longer then a modded car, are the cars that originally came with them from the factory. For example the Pontiac Bonneville SSEI. It has a 3.8 liter with a supercharger. The REASON those last a decent amount of time IS, because the engine was designed for the supercharger from the beginning. They put in the parts and tweak the configuration of the engine to compliment and work with the supercharger. For example, lower compression, pistons, cams, etc. Putting a supercharger, turbo, or NOS that WAS NOT designed for it will only damage it. I like superchargers, and yes i have worked on superchargered and turbo charged cars before, apparently more then you have. I am getting ready to put a supercharger on my built 400 in my 1969 Firebird. And i don't expect my engine to last for years and years even though it is a fresh engine.

Well, I HAVE done a lot of homework. I keep getting mixed opinions, so maybe you can help me:

Where would you suggest I go to learn how to drive it right? Where would you suggest to have it installed? What kind of fuel pump would you recommend? What other mods would I have to make to make this more reliable?

Thanks again,
Dan


Here, i will settle this. ChronoT150, you shouldn't need a better fuel pump. Check your fuel pump flowing capacity with what is recommended for the NOS set up. In my opinion you shouldn't need a better one. If you do want to put a better one in, you will have to drop your fuel tank, which is not fun if you arent using a shop. There are not any other mods that will make your car more reliable when you are using NOS. You might as well try to get more power if anything. Getting a better intake filter kit will help, free flowing exhaust and headers, and most importantly a racing ignition. These are quick bolt on's that will help your peformance out. Have fun and good luck.

Thanks SphinXX. Can you recommend a good ignition system for me?

Also, has anyone heard of Zex for nitrous? It seems like they make a good system; it decides how much nitrous to send in so that the fuel mixture isn't too lean. Is this bullshit, or is it pretty legit? It looks like they've got their stuff together. www.zex.com

Thanks,
Dan

Mallory Racing ignition, and no i haven't heard of Zex, sorry. Get the mallory racing ignition box and HEI Cap. They help more then you think. Lots of hp in ignition spark.

Most people and I included stay away from or fear Zex, the reason being we (all the people that fear or stay away) feel the method the Zex dry shot system uses to add fuel is a bit shady. We all prefer wet shot.

Hey, I saw on Horsepower Tv the two guys install 125 hp NOS on TBI 305 stock. They installed a wet system and they told us that its OK. But hey what do I know. I suggested NOS on a 305 TBI, on one of my posts and I got "attacked" by few people.
I did research about it and it does technically tear your engine, but still dont you tear your engine with use as well? However, you have to be carefull how you use it. I think that you can use nos if you want to beat ricers at their own game. I rarelly race but when I do I would like some extra power (although I never recall being beat by a ricer before). So, think hard and be carefull man.
Good luck

P.S. The funny thing was that I beat a mustang (looked like a lower end early 90's one) with a 93 corolla all stock. Go figure!?!?! Still I love American Muscle.

Whats the best Wet system out right now that would be suitable for our cars(5.7 or 3.8).... I know NX has the direct port system for our cars. Has anyone heard good or bad about that?

Lots of hp in ignition spark.



There is no hp in an ignition spark. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
There is plenty of energy, but I can assure you there is no hp.

Whats the best Wet system out right now that would be suitable for our cars(5.7 or 3.8).... I know NX has the direct port system for our cars. Has anyone heard good or bad about that?
I second that question...anyone know of a good wet system? And why does it beat a dry system?

...I assume it's harder to install?

Spark and ignition does add power by burning cleaner and faster. It just makes sense that more spark equals more power, which is why Bosch(hate 'em), NGK, and AC Delco plugs burn a lot better than Champions. These companies also go to great lengths to improve spark with such things as platinum tips, and multiple prongs.

There is also the TNT direct port...and the TNT throttle plate system....Any info on these???

Moppie, if you dont know that spark gives more power, i would be severely embarrassed. You are completely discredited of any and all car knowledge.

PS. 7 thousand plus posts.... do you not have a life? Apparently not. Get out some.