Wet v. Dry Nitrous?

[Ad Hoc]

Although I have a a few sheepskins from institutes of higher education, I'm still a little ignorant when it comes to the difference between wet and dry nitrous systems.

My research provide me with the following explanation, but I was hoping someone with experience with nitrous could transale it into layman terms and possibly offer suggestions for my 325i:

"A fuel injected dry manifold system uses a spray nozzle to deliver only nitrous oxide to the intake. A wet manifold system introduces fuel and nitrous into the intake manifold. With a dry manifold system, the additional fuel is supplied by increasing fuel delivery from the injectors when the nitrous system is activated. It is called a dry manifold system because there isn't any fuel present in the intake manifold."

[ettsn]

Dry systems rely on the engine management system to deliver more fuel, where wet systems deliver the required fuel along with the nitrous oxide. Wet is safer, but way more complicated and expensive.

Advice for your 325i? Don't put a nitrous oxide system on it at all. They're really only good for drag racing, a task for which your car is very poorly suited in many other respects.

What would I do? Spend the money on suspension stuff and some track time to hone your skills as much as possible. If you simply must have more power, check out '95 M3 prices. They're getting very reasonable these days.

-Paul

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I agree with ettsn here. Nitrous on a E36 really isnt going to be a good idea. Most of it will have to be self-fabricated.

Also the E36 325i motor has a 10 to 1 compression ratio. If you wanted to do Nitrous right, you would probably want to lower the compression ratio to take full advantage.

[Ad Hoc]

Yeah, like a said I was sort of clueless about nitrous. After I did more research, I realized it wasn't for me. Thanks nonetheless for your replies.

--David

[Frostie]

The 10:1 compression shouldn’t be a problem. If you want a very small boost cheap nitrous kit get a dry system, if I were I would go with a wet system, as they are much safer.

The big thing for you to remember about nitrous is basically it provides more oxygen for combustion, as long as there is sufficient fuel for the oxygen to react with there is no problem, but if there is not enough fuel (lean environment) the excess oxygen will have a very rapid oxidization reaction with any steal (exhaust valves). The same way an Oxy/Acetylene torch works.

So the wet system provides it own fuel supply for the Nitrous Oxide, but in a dry system it is up to your car to realize it is running lean and then (hopefully) make the appropriate mixture changes.

[blkongry]

I agree with Frostie... a small system shouldn't pose a problem. People freak when they hear NOS and think it is only applied to drag racing, since drag racers use these big ol' boost systems. It's just a change in combustion parameters... if done conservatively, it will give a nice little kick in the pants. The best way to set it up is to trigger on WOT (wide open throttle), so it only comes on when you are really gettin' it. To say NOS is not for an E36 is the same as to say a turbo is not for an E36, nor is a supercharger. Although I like Paul's note that if you truly need more power and want your car to be more towards a brute than a tourer, then look to steppin' up to the M3.

[Ad Hoc]

I've never really cared about beating anybody off the line. The CAI. Conforti chip and performance exhaust I have, add to my driving enjoyment. If I could get a liitle "kick in the pants" as blkongry puts it, I might consider it.

Am I going to sell my 325i to buy something with more power? - No. I've grown accustom to my car. Would I spend a few bucks to get a little more kick? Maybe.

Thanks for all the tips.

[blkongry]

Yeah, there is a threshold line between getting more power and making changes to where the car is less enjoyable as a driver. So much aftermarket accessories, especially in suspension, can really detract from the vehicle... and what do you really want out of your ride? No matter what you do, somebody out there will be able to beat you... of the line, or in the twisties... whatever... and who cares. The important thing is that you like to drive the car and enjoy the ride.

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

Go ahead.....

Make that change, we need more M3s on this board! ! !

You'll be glad you did; mine is making a great daily driver, but I'm afraid I'll have to let her go in a few months. The little lady wants a BMW Mini......

I've offered to hand over the keys to my M3 but she still says no...? Go figure....

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by Eli at Pelican Parts
You'll be glad you did; mine is making a great daily driver, but I'm afraid I'll have to let her go in a few months. The little lady wants a BMW Mini......

Ha. That's like me wanting a Lear Jet. She's gotta learn to drive first.

-Wayne

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by Eli at Pelican Parts
I'm afraid I'll have to let her go in a few months. The little lady wants a BMW Mini......

I've offered to hand over the keys to my M3 but she still says no...? Go figure....

Wants a cute car over an M...

Reminds me of a cheerleader I knew a long time ago, she bought a Triumph TR7 because she thought it was "cute"

I mistakenly fixed this car for her many times in an effort to get to know her better. What I did end up getting to know was that I hate Stromberg carburetors.

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

Funny that this topic should resurface again, coincidently she called me this morning after stepping foot out the DMV…. She got her permit again…. I think this is her 3rd time and you know what they say: “Third Times a Charm”. We’ll see how it goes. . . . .

[blkongry]

Her permit?? You mean 'learner's permit'? Not a seasoned driver? And she is getting behind the wheel of an M3 or Mini??? Maybe she should start with a Vista Cruiser or something?

Ah yes, we all fall in this 'trap'... I have spent many-a-hours working on my girlfriend's little Fiat Spider... chasing down electrical issues. All she wants to do is turn the key, drive it, and look 'cute' in it. Unfortunately, the first time I let her take out my 325cabrio, she wrecked it (wasn't her fault... she was rear-ended, but still leaves a bad taste in the mouth ).

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by Jared at Pelican Parts
I mistakenly fixed this car for her many times in an effort to get to know her better. What I did end up getting to know was that I hate Stromberg carburetors.

Cripes, that sounds like something I would do!

-Wayne

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

Well I'm still giving her the option on the M3 or the Mini....

Go figure, maybe I'm getting soft. . . . .

-Eli

[n.10.z]

Hey Eli...

I was just admiring your M3 and was noting some of the differences from my '93 325is. Aside from the obvious 2-Door v. 4-Door, one of the first things that jumped out at me was the white side- and bumper-trim and the white door handles. I've got the standard black rubber that looks pretty worn and aged against the white paint that I'd thought about replacing, but the white on white is a nice touch. Are those trim kits and handles available for the early e36 IS models?

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

This was all custom work my man…….

No one offers a kit for what you are asking, I’d say if you’re going to paint her then do it. I’ve been very happy with the overall look.

This is something that always jumps out and some people do or don’t always notice… Since then the only other thing I’ve done exterior wise; I had the rims redone and lips polished then wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sports.

Countdown for the 996 coming out of the shop is right around August when the M3 will probably hit the auction-block…..