Bolt on Tune-up: GReddy E-Manage Ultimate and ZEX Nitrous Wet Kit
In this new section, we explore the power gains which are to be had from performance parts. Many people still don't really know what sort of power gains can be expected from certain performance products. This month we see what gains are to be had from a GReddy E-Manage Ultimate piggyback ECU and a wet nitrous oxide kit from ZEX. The test-bed? A Nissan 350Z with an Impul bodykit.

So here we have a virgin Nissan 350Z. Nothing has been touched. The air filter and exhaust system is still stock. The car is equipped with a manual gearbox, fitting for car like this. No poofy slushbox here.

It has been said time and time again: Start with the foundations when it comes to tuning a car. In this case, the owner of this fine coupe decided to kick things off with a GReddy E-Manage Ultimate. This unit is truly one of the most advanced piggyback ECUs currently available. The features list is a long one, but the ones that stand out are features like rev limiter removal, VTEC control, and data logging, just to name a few.

The VQ35DE is a smooth engine with a huge amount of potential. Many Japanese tuners reckon that this engine could be the next RB26DETT. Tuning the E-Manage was a hassle free affair, thanks to the user friendly nature of the unit and the expert hands at Links Dyno Tune, where this 350Z was tuned. Links started with a dyno run to get the baseline power figure. What we got was a 294.9bhp@6389rpm and 363Nm of torque@4856rpm. Not bad, we were up 14hp from the manufacturer's figure of 280bhp. Power figures were recorded at the crank by the way.

With the baseline power figure in hand, Links began working on the E-Manage. Forty five minutes later, after a couple of runs and a few tweaks, we recorded a best power figure of 304.2bhp@6429rpm. With a gain of 10bhp, the owner was suitably impressed. Now we were moving on to the heavier stuff: N2O, or nitrous oxide for you non-chemist types.

The owner chose a ZEX wet nitrous kit for power boosting duties. Two blue (or are they purple?) bottles now sit in the trunk, alerting others that this stock looking 350Z isn't all that stock.

A little info about wet nitrous kits and dry nitrous kits before we move on; a wet nitrous kit, like the one used here, injects nitrous oxide and fuel into the inlet manifold which allows for more significant power gains. A dry nitrous kit injects only nitrous oxide into the inlet manifold. The dry nitrous kit doesn't make nearly as much power as the wet kit, but it is easier to install and a little less risky then the wet kit. A wet kit is more risky because the ratio of fuel and nitrous oxide needs to be just right to achieve optimum results. A wrongly tuned nitrous oxide/fuel ratio could result in a disastrous blowup.

With the E-Manage, the VQ35DE puts out 304.2bhp at the crank. After the nitrous kit was installed, the car was put back on the dyno. After some fine tuning, we came to nice power gain of around 45bhp, just like it says in the brochure, boosting peak power to a delicious 349.9bhp. The biggest gain was found in the torque band, where peak torque jumped 104Nm, from 363Nm to 467Nm. Delicious.

Thanks to the talented people at Links Dyno Tune, this 350Z achieved a power gain of 55bhp in one afternoon. Not a bad result.

Now, before you all start getting excited and say “I need naws, lots of naws”, remember to check that your engine can handle the nitrous. Before tuning an engine it's essential to ensure your engine is running in tip-top condition first. If your engine is already unwell, power mods will only make it worse, or kill it even.

By the way, NOS isn't the correct term for nitrous. NOS is a brand name. Remember, it's called “Nitrous”. Say it right.

For more information on the GReddy E-Manage Ultimate, the ZEX Nitrous kit and their tuning services, please call Links Dyno Tune at 03-5636 9901.

Product: ZEX Nitrous Kit
Price: RM3500 (inclusive of installation, tuning and dyno)

Product: GReddy E-Manage Ultimate
Price: RM3600 (inclusive of installation, tuning and dyno)

Contact: Links Dyno Tune, 03-5636 9901

Product: GReddy E-Manage Ultimate
Power (on flywheel):
Before: 294.9bhp
After: 304.2bhp

Torque(on flywheel):
Before: 363Nm
After: 375Nm

Product: ZEX Nitrous Kit & GReddy E-Manage Ultimate
Power (on flywheel):
Before: 304.2bhp
After: 349.9bhp

Torque(on flywheel):
Before: 363Nm
After: 467Nm