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Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 03:17 PM
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Default Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Not sure if this is the correct thread, but its more on the motor side that "forced induction" lol.

I found a ZEX control unit at the local junkyard out of an 1980 mustang for $25.00, they MSRP for about $225 so I think its worth it. Opinions? This would most likely be going on my 94 Accord EX on a low HP jetting setup. It also has a fogger and SS hose to the fogger, although the threads on the fogger are junk so it would need to be ran over with a smaller die.

Here's it on the ZEX website.
http://www.zex.com/zx/wet-nitrous-management-unit.html
Old Feb 25, 2013 | 03:23 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

You answered your own question in your post...a $225 control unit for $25?

Now to flip it for a quick buck or build a kit and use it...
Old Feb 25, 2013 | 07:51 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by accorse07
You answered your own question in your post...a $225 control unit for $25?

Now to flip it for a quick buck or build a kit and use it...
I've heard of people using Nitrous Express and NOS systems in sport compact cars, but never ZEX. Definitely be looking forward to using it then.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 07:43 AM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Zex is just a brand...its the same as Nitrous Express or Nos. They all have a variety of setups from something simple to something crazy. Since you already have a controller, find out what type (wet, staged, progressive) and than put together a kit.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 11:04 AM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by accorse07
Zex is just a brand...its the same as Nitrous Express or Nos. They all have a variety of setups from something simple to something crazy. Since you already have a controller, find out what type (wet, staged, progressive) and than put together a kit.
It appears to be this, which is the 82008 model.

http://www.zex.com/zx/wet-nitrous-management-unit.html

When I got it, there was a single SS line going to a single nozzle with no jet it in (I presumed they took it out of the car this way?). On the fitting dubbed "Intake" there was a #36 jet, which appears to be a nitrous jet (According to there charts no #36 jets correspond to a fuel jet)

I can't ever say I've heard of a single line running to the nozzle on either the NX or NOS systems (I used to consider the idea of nitrous so I have a fairly good idea what I'm looking at). The fittings dubbed "Intake" and "Regulator" both had rubber hoses coming out of them, one having a very small plastic tube stepping the hose size way down. Then there is one fitting on the rear of the modual dubbed "Nitrous"

Ideas? Because google has very limited info on this specific model, and when I image search Zex 82008 I see two completely different looking models.





The threads were destroyed so I ran a die across them (M7x1.00) and painted it.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 11:55 AM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Looks like a wet system controller. you will need their nozzle that combines nitrous and fuel. It also seems to be TPS based from what i was reading. When all hooked up it only comes on at WOT. How much power will depend on your choice of sizing on the fuel and nitrous jet.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 05:47 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by accorse07
Looks like a wet system controller. you will need their nozzle that combines nitrous and fuel. It also seems to be TPS based from what i was reading. When all hooked up it only comes on at WOT. How much power will depend on your choice of sizing on the fuel and nitrous jet.
Yes it is a TPS sensor based controller, although you can run it via a switch inline with the TPS (based on what their website says). Which I would most likely do because I don't want it to engage until 2nd-3rd gear (Wide open of course to prevent intake backfire).

What would go where though, where would the fuel line go? I took the covers off of it and found one large solenoid instead of the standard two that are found in most kits. Not to mention this one came with a SINGLE hose nozzle, which I've never ever seen before. There is one jet on the "Intake" fitting and one in between the hose and nozzle, NOT both at the end of the nozzles like other kits I've seen. I wish I could find a NOS expert somewhere on here.



EDIT


Turns out this is a Zex dry kit. Found the exact kit that this more chunky controller comes with. ZEX used the incorrect picture in the link for the wet controller which in reality is a good portion smaller than the dry controller. This link has installation directions!!!

http://www.zex.com/zx/honda-acura-hy...us-system.html

I went and did some more research and I'm about 100x more excited about the dry kit because it seems a lot less complicated. It also means I only need to get a #32 Nitrous jet for my goal power gain of 55hp, I can almost guarantee the junkyard dropped it when the forcefully ripped the nozzle out of the intake. I'm also wondering if I can use lower flow jets by another company potentially for an even smaller power gain (just terrified of engine damage). I guess according to my paperwork I got with it at the yard it came out of a 98 Ford Escort.

Now I'm just looking for hose, purge valve, and a bottle. Then I will mock up the custom harness because the stock one was butchered hard core from the original owner. I found it ironic that there is a grape NOS energy drink bottle in this picture..


Last edited by NZXTInerTia; Feb 26, 2013 at 07:15 PM.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 06:14 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

If i remember correctly, this unit works with both their dry and wet kits. That was the simplicity behind it. ( last time i installed this kit in my 89' ef hatch b18a1) , the fuel line was used as a means to up pressure in the rail as apposed to injecting it as a wet kit. but this was years ago, and ZEX does change their setups quite often. cheers.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 06:19 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

http://news.compperformance.com/Instructions/ZEX109.pdf
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 07:15 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by DazeMS
If i remember correctly, this unit works with both their dry and wet kits. That was the simplicity behind it. ( last time i installed this kit in my 89' ef hatch b18a1) , the fuel line was used as a means to up pressure in the rail as apposed to injecting it as a wet kit. but this was years ago, and ZEX does change their setups quite often. cheers.
Check the edit, my stupid self just figured that out.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 08:06 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by NZXTInerTia
Check the edit, my stupid self just figured that out.
an hour later :-p
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 08:35 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by DazeMS
an hour later :-p
I appreciate it, for some odd reason I didn't see your post when I went into typing that essay of a post. Now I'm just modifying some things to make a spot for it and will test it with a 12v source sometime tomorrow. Would rather not tear into my car not knowing if it works or not! Definitely glad I snagged it though.
Old Feb 26, 2013 | 09:30 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

yea, its cool. lol, as per the 98 escort, they are equivalent to an LS integra if its a zx2. surprisingly enough, they make a decent amount of torque, too bad they have a **** platform. lol
Old Feb 27, 2013 | 12:21 AM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by NZXTInerTia
It appears to be this, which is the 82008 model.

http://www.zex.com/zx/wet-nitrous-management-unit.html

When I got it, there was a single SS line going to a single nozzle with no jet it in (I presumed they took it out of the car this way?). On the fitting dubbed "Intake" there was a #36 jet, which appears to be a nitrous jet (According to there charts no #36 jets correspond to a fuel jet)

I can't ever say I've heard of a single line running to the nozzle on either the NX or NOS systems (I used to consider the idea of nitrous so I have a fairly good idea what I'm looking at). The fittings dubbed "Intake" and "Regulator" both had rubber hoses coming out of them, one having a very small plastic tube stepping the hose size way down. Then there is one fitting on the rear of the modual dubbed "Nitrous"

Ideas? Because google has very limited info on this specific model, and when I image search Zex 82008 I see two completely different looking models.





The threads were destroyed so I ran a die across them (M7x1.00) and painted it.
That is a dry only zex box I have the same one in my car works great, have used it for
over 6 years.
Old Feb 27, 2013 | 10:41 AM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

he knows now.
Old Mar 6, 2013 | 10:26 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

If anyone cares I decided to order a new nozzle, NOS jet, and the correct size tap for the intake and got the mounting all setup.
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Old Mar 6, 2013 | 10:43 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

nice.. hope it works out.
Old Mar 6, 2013 | 10:55 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

I used the same kit for a long time in my beater EX sedan. Worked great from day one. I ran #38 n2o jet with a #34 intake/fuel jet. NGK 7's with no ignition retarding.
Old Mar 18, 2013 | 08:02 PM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Anyone have any idea where I could get some matching stainless steel vacuum lines? I want to keep the SS look and I don't think my vacuum hoses I have will be "strong" enough to transfer enough pressure to the regulator. Or I'm just completely over thinking it and they will be fine.
Old Mar 19, 2013 | 12:58 AM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

Originally Posted by NZXTInerTia
Anyone have any idea where I could get some matching stainless steel vacuum lines? I want to keep the SS look and I don't think my vacuum hoses I have will be "strong" enough to transfer enough pressure to the regulator. Or I'm just completely over thinking it and they will be fine.
There fine,I did put clamps on mine just in case.
Old Mar 19, 2013 | 04:08 AM
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Default Re: Would a ZEX nitrous control unit be worth buying?

D series love the gas, dunno what it is, had a local for years running around on a 100-150 shot, and in his EF, that thing was stupid..lmao.
I personally am a huge fan of nitrous..love the jesus pee.
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