Zex Installation Notes
I bought this Zex kit http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=836506 and promised to make a short tutorial of what I did. Sadly, the kit was much simpler than I had expected so the photos I have are after the installation was complete. Installing this type of nitrous kit should take no more than an hour or two.
Photos of the completed installation are located here: http://www.onwire.net/corvette/
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Zex control box...
I found a location for the Zex control box which would not require drilling several holes. I bought a blank PC Board from Radio Shark and ground off about 1/4 of an inch from the bottom edge and jammed it into an existing bracket on the passenger side radiator housing. To secure it, I drilled one hole and used a sheet metal screw. I secured the Zex control box to this board.
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Wiring...
There are only three wires, throttle position, Negative, and Positive.
I connected the Zex throttle position sensor wire to the blue throttle position sensor wire on the passenger side of the intake (I used a line tap so no splicing was required).
I connected the Zex ground wire to a hidden bolt I found on the engine close to the throttle wire.
I ran the positive wire across the radiator to the driver's side. From there, I used the group of wires going back towards the rear. I used an access hole under the brake system to enter the passenger compartment. From there, I ran the wire to the ashtray switch. From the ashtray switch I went to an inline fuse and finally (using a line tap) to the red ignition wire.
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Nitrous lines...
I ran the long nitrous line in the same fashion as the positive wire until I reached the passenger compartment. From the passenger compartment I ran the line under the driver's side sill and out into the storage compartment where the tank mounted.
The other nitrous line ofcourse went to the nozzle. There was too much line so it is semi-coiled between the radiator shroud and the engine.
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Fuel lines...
I removed the schrader valve on the passenger side fuel rail and put in the Zex fuel line, from there it went to the Zex control box.
The other fuel line went to the nozzle. Again, there was too much line so
it is semi-coiled between the radiator shroud and the engine.
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Nozzle...
I installed the 100HP jets and then drilled a hole about 8 inches from the end of the rubber intake hose. This hole is towards the bottom center. Nozzle pointed towards the intake.
note: There is a vane in the intake so the nozzle ended up being on the driver's side of the vane about one inch from the vane itself.
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Switches...
I cut a piece of black plastic for the switch plate and drilled two holes for the switches (one for Nitrous and one for purge). I cut the plate extremely tight but to make sure the switch plate does not move, I have the lip of the ashtray holding it firmly down.
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Final installation...
I covered all lines and wires with black "flex tube" for a neat and somewhat professional looking installation. Since the Zex parts are a "ricer" purple color, I painted the Zex control box flat black and painted the Zex bottle "fire extinguisher" red.
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End notes...
Installation was simple. The most time consuming part of the installation was running the switch wires through the center console and making the board for the tank.
I bought a really neat brand new window switch from http://www.bmnracetech.com/ but the switch did not like the Zex unit at all. It is for sale if any non-Zex person is interested. Besides the window function, it has first gear lock out and a built in shift light.
The Zex kit part #82023 says it is for 1993 and above LT1s only, however (as expected) it was no problem to install it into my 1992 LT1.
As far as permanent marks and holes, I ended up with 1 hole in the intake, one screw hole in the passenger side of the radiator and two line taps. Nothing else was cut or drilled. If you have an IAT sensor and it is not already relocated, that will be an additional hole.
I will be changing the bottle location in the near future. I will eventually build a cross brace type unit to use as a camera mount and will mount the bottle to a purpose built rear mounted support bar. The bottle will be close to the same location it currently is, just shifted left about two inches and up about two inches.
I am not endorsing Zex, I am just commenting on the simple installation. If I had it to do again, I would go the same route.
I used a DVD case (like what BlockBuster or HollyWood Video uses). It was a close color match for the panel. Plus it is flexible and soft enough where it would not scratch the ashtray area. As you can see, I used the upper drink holder
as it has a square cutout already there so I did not have to drill any holes for the wires.
I have 3 more "just incase" wires running to the ashtray area as I never want to disassemble the console again unless absolutely necessary.
I put in the 100HP jets and have used a full 10lb bottle worth of nitrous so far.
Nitrous gave the acceleration I expected. However all of first gear and half of second gear are now "traction impaired" but that is OK as I did not install nitrous for low speeds.
Today I am in the initial planning stage of constructing a hybrid cross-bar/rollcage. Besides safety, I will use it as a camera platform and also to mount the nitrous tank(s).
Jim












