It seems like superchargers seem to be getting all the glory when it comes to the fifth-generation Camaro. Everybody makes a kit, and even the new ZL1 comes with one. But what about good old-fashioned nitrous? Nitrous oxide is actually one of the newest forms of power adders (in terms of actual development), used to help get heavy cargo planes down the runway and up in the air during WW II, yet the oldest when it comes to drag racing. While the increased cylinder pressure and heat make it unreliable for sustained usage, it is useful for short bursts of power, like 1/8 or 1/4-mile (though some guys are even using it at standing mile events too), as it injects a larger saturation of oxygen into the combustion chamber while also decreasing the charge temperature to increase volumetric efficiency. Pat Musi knows this all too well and has used nitrous to burn up the Pro Mod circuit, running 5.94 at 240 mph last year. In the streetcar realm, nitrous can be the perfect weapon on a daily driver looking to conserve fuel, while also giving a significant performance kick for weekend racing. Adding to its appeal, the kits themselves are also pretty economical. Though at times it gets a bad name, other forms of power adders are just as prone to destruction as nitrous when used or installed improperly. A good tune-up and listening to the advice of your tuner or builder (instead of the greedy little voice in your head) is key to having a reliable setup.
ZEX supplied us with a '10...
ZEX supplied us with a '10 Camaro V-8 specific kit (PN 82380B), which is a "wet" system that uses a nozzle to mix and inject the nitrous and fuel. Clearance is tight around the throttle body on the fifth-gen, which makes a plate system pretty much impossible without significant relocation of parts. The nozzle allows flexibility of install (perfect for making a hidden system) and has ZEX's patented Fuel Sheer technology. The Blackout version gives you a black 10-pound bottle, lines, fittings, and more to further add to its stealth nature, as does the use of the patented Nitrous Management Unit instead of traditional solenoids. The kit comes complete with everything you need (including jets to go from 75 to 175 hp) for under $640.
To give nitrous it's fair shake in the fifth-gen realm, we gave ZEX a call to pickup its '10 Camaro V-8 specific kit (PN 82380B). Though often overshadowed by its parent company, Comp Cams, ZEX makes some excellent products for streetcars, and we've grown particularly fond of the Blackout line. In addition to the fact that the system's bottle, nozzle, nitrous and fuel lines all look mean in black, it also hides them very well. This worked out well for us because our tester's owner Terry Angell made only one request, hide everything as best as you can. Terry's early Inferno Orange '10 currently sports long-tube headers, straight pipes, LMR cold air intake, and a custom tune in addition to the Precision Industries Vigilante converter, BMR control arms and drag radials installed on our last trip to Next Level Performance in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Once again master tuner Geoff Skorupa will be in charge of the calibration while Ty Sochaki is responsible for the ultra-clean install. Finding a thorough shop like Next Level is essential for a nitrous install, as it can be way too easy to cut corners. We felt at ease putting Angell's prized possession in Next Level's hands, and couldn't be happier with the results.
Though the base kit is sufficient,...
Though the base kit is sufficient, a few other accessories are highly recommended such as an adjustable bottle heater (PN 82369, $231.70), which will keep your bottle in a safe and optimum range of pressure. Believe it or not, even in Florida a heater is necessary. ZEX's unit is the blanket style with an automatic shutoff to keep the pressure from getting too high.
A purge kit is not essential,...
A purge kit is not essential, but is a great accessory that will help test the system during the install and troubleshooting. Its primary job, of course, is to get any air out of the lines for a quicker hit. The basic kit (PN 82010) costs less than $114 and is well worth the dough because let's be honest, purging your nitrous system is probably the coolest thing about having it. ZEX also has all kinds of fancy colored light-up LED purge kits too if you want to make a big show out of it.
ZEX also decided to send us...
ZEX also decided to send us a few more accessories such as these billet bottle brackets (PN 82171), gauge kit (PN 82341) and velvet bottle bag (PN 82000B). All three may seem trivial to some, but the brackets are a much better looking and easier to use alternative to the standard ones in the kit and the gauge will be useful in determining when the heater has done its work at the track. And the bag simply keeps your bottle from getting banged up during transport and refills.
Ty Sochaki of Next Level Performance...
Ty Sochaki of Next Level Performance got to work on Terry and Helen Angell's Inferno Orange '10 Camaro SS by first determining where to locate the ZEX nozzle (as well as the Nitrous Management Unit) and then disassembling the cold air intake in order to plumb it and make way for more hardware to be installed in the engine bay. Next Level has done a fine job so far on the Angells' SS, previously installing a Precision Vigilante 2800-stall converter, BMR lower control arms, long-tube headers, exhaust and custom tuning. Terry says it currently runs in the mid 12s consistently using a set of drag radials.
Using the spot previously...
Using the spot previously marked during mock-up, Ty drilled a hole into the under side of the intake for the nozzle. The shavings were blown out of the intake before installing the bulkhead fitting and screwing it together using red Loctite.
The nozzle was screwed into...
The nozzle was screwed into the fitting and then the nitrous jets were dropped in place, starting out with the 54 nitrous and 32 fuel jet, which should equate to 125 hp. Once on the dyno, we'll determine whether the 67 or 83 nitrous jet (with appropriate fuel jet) is a better choice. For now Ty just screwed the fuel and nitrous lines on before moving onto the next task.
The Schrader valve is removed...
The Schrader valve is removed on the end of the driver side fuel rail, and a fitting is attached which will supply the "wet" side of the nozzle.
A separate line goes from...
A separate line goes from the fuel rail to the NMU box (fuel solenoid), once it is installed, which will regulate the fuel before hitting the jet and spraying into the intake.
Ty chose to mount the NMU...
Ty chose to mount the NMU box to the bottom of the cold air intake's heat shield (below the filter) in order to keep it out of the way and hide it sufficiently. Using self-tapping screws it affixed easily, and he then drilled two holes on the end in which to run the fuel and nitrous lines as well as the wiring. The purge has to be T'd into the box just before the "nitrous in."