• Cold Fusion Bottle Heater (PN CFN-104, Retail $84.00) and Bottle Heater Pressure switch (CFN-103, Retail $48.95). The company recommends running a bottle pressure of between 950 and 1,000 psi in order to ensure the gaseous content of the nitrous has turned into a liquid. In general, temperatures of between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit will provide the proper pressure. Bottle pressures below the optimum range don't provide enough nitrous and the car will tend to run rich, while excessive pressures can cause a lean condition. Cold Fusion offers a 12-volt, 300-amp bottle heater that wraps around any standard-size bottle and is secured with Velcro straps. When combined with a bottle-heater pressure switch, the owner can open the nitrous valve, turn on the heater, and allow the adjustable switch to regulate the pressure.
The Super Power solenoids...
The Super Power solenoids were mounted on the fenderwell. Each one has 0.130-inch inlets and outlets and employs a Teflon plunger and Viton seals.
• MSD Electronics Digital RPM Window Switch (PN 8969, Retail $99.99). An MSD programmable rpm window switch is used to determine when the nitrous system is turned on and off. Once the switch receives a wide-open throttle signal, it will activate only when it is between the predetermined rpm window. The subject GTO is programmed to come on at 3,200 rpm and to stop at 6,400 rpm. This switch is wired into the GTO's ECU and in essence reads rpm out of the computer to enable it to send a signal to the nitrous solenoids to open or close. The MSD switch works in conjunction with the standard Cold Fusion wide-open-throttle window switch, which is mounted under the gas pedal inside the vehicle.
• Nitrous System Installation (PN, LBR, Retail $500). Professional installation of the Cold Fusion Nitrous kit is highly recommended. In addition to the obvious challenges of mounting the solenoids and bottle brackets, a good knowledge of automotive electrical systems is required to get the systems to operate properly. Installation of accessories such as the remote bottle opener, bottle heater, RPM window switch, and purge kit are priced at $100 for each. In total, because the package and accessories were installed together, the total labor was reduced to $750. Labor to install the nitrous system, along with a complementary retune of the computer to ensure safe engine operation, took a total of 10 hours.
Conclusion
When the HPE GTO Power and Nitrous package installations were complete and the final tuning adjustments were made to the ECU, the LS2 responded by picking up a total of 176 hp and a phenomenal 199 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. The GTO Package showed outstanding gains of 91 hp and 55 lb-ft of torque at the wheels, and the large-duration cam doesn't seem to have negatively impacted the low-end torque. On the contrary, torque gains between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm are consistent, showing that a properly designed and matched camshaft package can increase horsepower and torque across the full spectrum of the rpm range versus trading top-end power for low-end torque, which has been the case for decades in many old-school engines.
Cold Fusion's nitrous bottle...
Cold Fusion's nitrous bottle is installed in the trunk and is outfitted with the optional remote opener and heater. The former allows the driver to open the bottle from the cockpit, and the latter helps ensure consistent bottle pressure.
Adding the 100-shot of the Cold Fusion Nitrous kit boosted rear-wheel horsepower by 99, but more importantly, put up staggering torque gains of 155 lb-ft. Not only were the torque gains huge, the peak numbers came in a full 600 rpm below the peaks on the Power Package.
According to Chuck Anders, HPE owner, "Both the 'S' and 'C' cam GTO Power packages work extremely well either with or without a power adder such as nitrous. Although the peak numbers of the 'C' package average 10-15 rwhp lower than the 'S,' the broader torque curve is perfectly suited for the daily driver. In designing cams, the LSA and overlap played key roles in balancing peak power and average torque. By using extremely aggressive ramp rates, the LSA could be tightened, yet we could still retain good idle quality and torque. Both cams have additional exhaust duration to take advantage of the off-road header and connection-pipe exhaust system.
"When you add in the Cold Fusion Nitrous kit, the atomization provided by the innovative 90mm plate system really helps fill the cylinders, especially in the meat of the torque curve, and provides excellent power gains. From a convenience perspective, enthusiasts love to be able to remotely monitor and arm their nitrous systems."
Cold Fusion's Purge Kit was...
Cold Fusion's Purge Kit was also added to this system to clear the lines of nitrous vapor, thereby ensuring liquid nitrous is at the ready the instant the nitrous comes on photo courtesy of manufacturer.
According to Corey Poiencot, a 24-year-old machinist and owner of the subject GTO, "In stock form the LS2-based GTO was powerful but, due to the refined nature of the platform, never really felt fast enough. All of that changed in an instant when I drove the car to HPE in Houston for installation of the GTO Package.
"Though the GTO is a daily driver, the aggressive 'S' cam idles well and pulls hard to the redline of 7,000 rpm. Adding almost 100 rwhp to the engine by swapping in a cam and related exhaust and intake components really woke up the car and gave it an aggressive personality. I was so impressed by the quality and performance of the work that I scheduled a second trip into Houston to have the nitrous package installed. I really like how the Cold Fusion kit mounts with a plate directly behind the throttle body, along with all of the accessories that will allow for increased convenience and performance.
"When the nitrous system engages at 3,200 rpm, the Goat pins you back in the seat and takes you for a wild ride. Although my stock LS2 clutch probably won't last long, I plan to upgrade the clutch and get the car out to the local quarter-mile dragstrip to see if I can turn some low-11-second e.t.'s."