Nitrous Works
When it comes to running on the bottle, getting the bottle pressure to the right level is key to proper performance and consistency. Nitrous Works helps out in this area with its MaxPak bottle heater kit. The bottle heater regulates bottle temperature to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which translates to optimal bottle pressure between 1,000 and 1,100 psi. The MaxPak requires a continuous 12-volt power supply and is thermostatically controlled for safety. The kit comes with a choice of -4 or -6 AN lines, a pressure sensor with automatic shutoff, an arming switch, a pressure gauge, a safety-valve vent tube, a bottle blanket with the Nitrous Works logo, and detailed instructions.
Nitrous Works also has a purge kit that comes with a choice of -4 and -6 AN lines, as well as a bottle-pressure gauge and adapter. The purge kit is self-explanatory, while the gauge and adapter allow you to fashion a pressure gauge to the top of the bottle, giving you the ability to monitor bottle pressure.
MSD Ignition
The rule of thumb when running nitrous oxide is to retard timing 2 degrees for each 50hp increase. While the stock ignition system may be fine for a small shot, to get the most out of each hit of the sauce and have peace of mind that the engine will stay together when the nitrous is activated, we chatted with the folks at MSD Ignition to see what they offered. We were impressed with the company's Digital Multi-Retard Control. The ignition controller was designed with nitrous oxide users in mind, and uses a microcontroller to manage four different stages of retard that can be activated independently as each stage of nitrous is activated. The retard amounts are adjusted with built-in dials, so there are no programs to memorize. The ignition controller also features an adjustable-start retard function and a magnetic pickup compensation circuit, so you can select a trigger design that matches your application. Of note, though, the ignition controller must be used with an MSD ignition control, so grab an ignition box and accompanying components when you order the ignition controller.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out MSD's Digital RPM Window Switch and TPS/RPM Activated Switch. The digital switch is programmable from 200 rpm to 15,000 rpm in 100-rpm increments, and can be adjusted simply by scrolling through the LED display to the desired rpm. The TPS switch offers the same as the digital switch, along with the ability to select a throttle-position sensor activation point. For those with S197 Mustangs as well as Fox-bodies or SN-95s, the TPS switch works with both normal or drive-by-wire throttle systems.
Nitrous Express
Nitrous Express offers a wide variety of kits, along with what it bills as the ultimate nitrous system accessory, its Gen-X or GenX-2 accessory packs. The packs come with all of the components needed to make your nitrous system dependable and worry-free, including a fully automatic bottle heater with pressure transducer, a fuel-pressure safety switch (which cuts off the nitrous if fuel pressure falls below a certain level), a liquid-filled nitrous pressure gauge, an NHRA-approved pressure-release fitting and blow-down tube, and all of the electrical connectors and wiring needed to complete the installation. The GenX-2 kit comes with an extra purge valve and Nitrous Express' Ice-Man solenoid.
Nitrous Express also offers a really cool remote bottle-valve opener that allows you to open and close the bottle with the press of a button. The company's Octane Series Bottle Volume Display Controller tells you exactly how much nitrous is in the bottle in either percentage or time. The bottle-volume display goes along with the Octane Series Nitrous Controller, which is billed to offer more functions than any progressive controller on the market, without programming via laptop.
For added security when running juice, check out the company's TPS Autolearn, which senses voltage from the throttle-position sensor and activates the nitrous system when it reaches a preset voltage level.