Nitrous Express MAXIMIZER-II User manual

MAXIMIZER-II
Progressive Nitrous Controller
INSTALLATION AND USER MANUAL
MAXIMIZER-II rev A
Read all Instructions before beginning!!!!
Caution – EXTREME DANGER – Caution
Do not use or mix any other manufacturer’s products with any Nitrous Express products.
Do not use or mix any Nitrous Express products with any other manufacturer’s products.
THESE INSTRUCTIONS APPLY TO NITROUS EXPRESS PRODUCTS ONLY!
FOR SANCTIONED RACE USE ONLY - NOT FOR SALE OR USE IN CALIFORNIA

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MAXIMIZER-II rev A
Table of Contents
Page
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1. .I In ns st ta al ll la at ti io on n O Ov ve er rv vi ie ew w. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .1 1
1.1 MAXIMIZER-II Power Input .....................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 SOLENOID DRIVER Ground....................................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Arming Switch Input ..................................................................................................................................................................1
1.4 O2 Sensor Input (and factory ECU)...........................................................................................................................................1
1.5 Tachometer Signal Input............................................................................................................................................................1
1.6 TPS Signal Input ........................................................................................................................................................................2
1.7 Trigger Inputs 1 & 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................2
1.8 General Purpose Outputs 1 & 2 ................................................................................................................................................2
1.9 Ignition Retard Outputs 1& 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.10 Bottle Heater Enable Input ........................................................................................................................................................2
1.11 Bottle Heater Control Output ....................................................................................................................................................2
1.12 Nitrous Pressure Sensor Harness ..............................................................................................................................................2
1.13 MAP Sensor Input...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
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2. .S So of ft tw wa ar re e. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .3 3
2.1 Entering User Data.................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Main Screen ...............................................................................................................................................................................3
2.3 Program Set-up.......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.3.1 General Options Tab .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.3.2 Miscellaneous Option Tabs................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.4 MAXIMIZER-II Configuration...................................................................................................................................................5
2.4.1 General Tab........................................................................................................................................................................5
2.4.2 Stage 1 & 2 Tab .................................................................................................................................................................8
2.4.2.1 Time Based Nitrous Configuration ................................................................................................................................9
2.4.2.2 RPM Based Nitrous Configuration ................................................................................................................................ 9
2.4.3 Saving and Uploading your Configuration ......................................................................................................................10
2.5 Monitor and Data Logging ......................................................................................................................................................10
2.5.1 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................................................10
2.5.2 Data Logging ................................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.5.3 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................................................................11
2.6 Software Updates .....................................................................................................................................................................12
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3. .A Ac cc ce es ss so or ri ie es s. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .1 12 2
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4. .D Di is sc cl la ai im me er r. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .1 13 3
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5. .W Wa ar rr ra an nt ty y. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .1 13 3
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6. .M MA AX XI IM MI IZ ZE ER R- -I II I W Wi ir ri in ng g D Di ia ag gr ra am ms s. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .1 13 3
6.1 System ......................................................................................................................................................................................14
6.2 Status LED ...............................................................................................................................................................................15
6.3 12 volt Arming Switch..............................................................................................................................................................15
6.4 Ignition Retard......................................................................................................................................................................... 16
6.5 Remote Bottle Opener .............................................................................................................................................................. 16
6.6 Automatic Purge ......................................................................................................................................................................17
6.7 Fuel Pressure Safety Cut-off Switch ........................................................................................................................................17
6.8 WOT Switch .............................................................................................................................................................................18
6.9 Narrowband O2 Sensor ...........................................................................................................................................................18

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1. . I In ns st ta al ll la at ti io on n O Ov ve er rv vi ie ew w
The purpose of this overview is to provide the user with some basic information about the installation
and configuration.
Note: The instructions in this manual take precedence over those included with other nitrous
accessories.
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1. .1 1 M MA AX XI IM MI IZ ZE ER R- -I II I P Po ow we er r I In np pu ut t
Connect the MAXIMIZER-II's power to the same power source as the ECU (9~18 volts). Ensure the
fuse rating is sufficient to power both. (This power and ground need to be “clean” in order to obtain
the best performance from your MAXIMIZER-II).
DO NOT connect the MAXIMIZER-II's ground to the same place you grounded the SOLENOID
DRIVER.
DO NOT install a separate switch on the white power wire. The MAXIMIZER-II's power should be
controlled by the main ignition switch - see arming switch below.
Note: Powering up the MAXIMIZER-II while the engine is running may result in an inaccurate MAP
reading. (see MAP sensor input)
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1. .2 2 S SO OL LE EN NO OI ID D D DR RI IV VE ER R G Gr ro ou un nd d
The heavy black wire from the SOLENOID DRIVER must be connected to a good ground location
that can handle 40 AMPS.
DO NOT connect to the ECU ground connection. While pulsing the solenoids, this will generate large
amounts of electrical noise that can interfere with the MAXIMIZER-II or your ECU.
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1. .3 3 A Ar rm mi in ng g S Sw wi it tc ch h I In np pu ut t
Grounding the arming wire arms the MAXIMIZER-II. Connect the arming wire to one side of your
arming switch and connect the other side of the switch to chassis ground.
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1. .4 4 O O2 2 S Se en ns so or r I In np pu ut t ( (a an nd d f fa ac ct to or ry y E EC CU U) )
If you are connecting to a stand-alone 4-wire O2 sensor, all 4 wires should be connected to the
sensor as identified on the Narrowband O2 Sensor wiring diagram.
For optimum performance and tuning capability, an FJO Racing Products (www.fjoracing.com)
Wideband AFR System Controller is recommended. It will enable the MAXIMIZER-II to accurately
display and log your air/fuel ratio. Using the IWC0004 power cable (purchased separately), the
wideband controller plugs directly into the MAXIMIZER-II without the need for a separate
power connection.
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1. .5 5 T Ta ac ch ho om me et te er r S Si ig gn na al l I In np pu ut t
The MAXIMIZER-II is designed to work with most Tachometer signals (down to 3 Volts), without the
need for a separate adapter.

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MAXIMIZER-II rev A
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1. .6 6 T TP PS S S Si ig gn na al l I In np pu ut t
The MAXIMIZER-II is designed to work with most throttle-position-sensors (TPS) and wide-open-
throttle (WOT) switches.
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1. .7 7 T Tr ri ig gg ge er r I In np pu ut ts s 1 1 & & 2 2
Grounding these inputs is considered the “ON” position. They can be used to enable or disable
individual stages. See configuration section for more details.
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1. .8 8 G Ge en ne er ra al l P Pu ur rp po os se e O Ou ut tp pu ut ts s 1 1 & & 2 2
These outputs can be used to turn on an LED or small panel lamp (0.5 amps max), automatically
activate your remote bottle-opener, or automatically purge your nitrous line. They function like an
internal switch that is open when not active and connected to ground when active. See configuration
section for more details.
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1. .9 9 I Ig gn ni it ti io on n R Re et ta ar rd d O Ou ut tp pu ut ts s 1 1& & 2 2
These outputs can be used to retard timing provided that your ignition system supports this feature.
They function like an internal switch that is either open or connected to ground when active. See
configuration section for more details.
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1. .1 10 0 B Bo ot tt tl le e H He ea at te er r E En na ab bl le e I In np pu ut t
Grounding this input is considered the “ENABLE” position for the automatic bottle heater control. This
feature allows the MAXIMIZER-II to control the bottle heater relay in an attempt to maintain the target
pressure. See configuration section for more details.
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1. .1 11 1 B Bo ot tt tl le e H He ea at te er r C Co on nt tr ro ol l O Ou ut tp pu ut t
This output is used to turn on the bottle heater relay by grounding the negative side of the coil. See
configuration section for more details.
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1. .1 12 2 N Ni it tr ro ou us s P Pr re es ss su ur re e S Se en ns so or r H Ha ar rn ne es ss s
This harness connects directly to the nitrous pressure sensor. See configuration section for more
details.
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1. .1 13 3 M MA AP P S Se en ns so or r I In np pu ut t
The MAXIMIZER-II has an integrated 48 psi pressure sensor designed to measure manifold absolute
pressure (MAP). Connect the flexible hose to your intake manifold after the throttle plate.
Note: The MAXIMIZER-II calibrates the sensor at power up. If your engine is running, the sensor’s
pressure reading will be outside the expected range and will not be calibrated – which may result in
an inaccurate reading. This is why it is recommended to connect the MAXIMIZER-II’s power to your
ignition switch.

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MAXIMIZER-II rev A
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2. . S So of ft tw wa ar re e
Updates and manuals are available from www.fjoracing.com
Your PC will require a serial port to connect to the MAXIMIZER-II. Some newer laptops do not have
an integrated serial port and will require an optional USB-Serial adapter or a PCMCIA serial adapter.
Please contact your computer equipment supplier to purchase this adapter.
Note: Due to the wide variety of these adapters available, FJO cannot guarantee a specific adapter
however, our testing has shown that adapters using the Prolific Technology PL-2303 controller chip
function very well.
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2. .1 1 E En nt te er ri in ng g U Us se er r D Da at ta a
Drag & Slide – data fields that have this feature have a down arrow button to the right. Clicking and
holding the button causes a slider bar to appear. Moving the mouse left or right while the slider is
displayed will decrease or increase the value.
Increment/Decrement buttons - data fields that have this
feature have up/down arrow buttons to the right. Click on either
of these to increase or decrease the value accordingly.
Menu pull-down – data fields that have this feature have a down arrow button to the right. Clicking
on the button will cause a pull-down menu to appear. To select, click on one of the displayed options.
Typing – clicking on the data field will highlight the value. You can then use the keyboard to enter the
value.
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2. .2 2 M Ma ai in n S Sc cr re ee en n

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MAXIMIZER-II rev A
The main screen allows you to:
- Configure the program preferences
- Configure the MAXIMIZER-II.
- Upload your saved configurations to the MAXIMIZER-II or download your configurations from the
MAXIMIZER-II.
- Enter the monitor window for the MAXIMIZER-II.
- Log data to your PC
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2. .3 3 P Pr ro og gr ra am m S Se et t- -u up p
To open the program configuration menu, click on View and Options.
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2. .3 3. .1 1 G Ge en ne er ra al l O Op pt ti io on ns s T Ta ab b
Serial Port allows you to select which COM port the software will use
on your PC. Select the correct port from the drop-down menu.
Timeout sets the time that the software waits before resending a
command if there was a communication error. For most PC’s this
should be set to 40.
Number of retries on timeout sets the maximum retry count before
the software displays a timeout error. For most PC’s this should be
set to 3.
Number of retries on CRC error sets the maximum retry count before the software displays a CRC
error. For most PC’s this should be set to 3.
Note: Some PC’s using USB-serial converters will experience a higher error rate due to the
performance characteristics of the converter. In these cases we recommend that you increase the
Timeout value to 2000 to determine if this corrects the problem. Doing so will reduce the update
frequency and slow down the display or logging rate.
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2. .3 3. .2 2 M Mi is sc ce el ll la an ne eo ou us s O Op pt ti io on n T Ta ab bs s
Minimum sets the minimum range value that will be displayed in the
Monitor window.
Maximum sets the maximum range value that will be displayed in the
Monitor window.
Normal / Warn / Alarm Limit sets the value at which the display will
change color.
Alarm On will cause the PC to beep when you exceed the Alarm
Limit.

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2. .4 4 M MA AX XI IM MI IZ ZE ER R- -I II I C Co on nf fi ig gu ur ra at ti io on n
To start, click on File then New.
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2. .4 4. .1 1 G Ge en ne er ra al l T Ta ab b
EGO Present allows you to select whether or not you have an O2 signal connected to the
MAXIMIZER-II. A check mark in the box tells the MAXIMIZER-II that a signal is connected.
Sensor Type allows you to set the type of sensor/controller being used. To set the type of sensor,
click on the window to indicate “FJO Wideband” or “Narrow”.
Note: For optimum performance and tuning capability, an FJO Racing Products (www.fjoracing.com)
Wideband AFR System Controller is recommended. It will enable the MAXIMIZER-II to accurately
display and log your air/fuel ratio.
RPM Signal Present allows you to select whether or not you have a tachometer input signal
connected to the MAXIMIZER-II. A check mark in the box tells the MAXIMIZER-II that a signal is
connected.
RPM Multiplier selects the correct pulse count for the RPM counter. Use the following as a guide to
determine the correct setting:
a) Using a TACH signal - TACH signals will typically have 1 pulse per cylinder during 2
revolutions of the crankshaft (1 full cycle) and therefore the correct setting would be
÷(½ the number of cylinders)
Example: When using a TACH signal
 4 cylinder setting would be ÷2
 6 cylinder setting would be ÷3
 8 cylinder setting would be ÷4

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MAXIMIZER-II rev A
b) Using a trigger signal from a coil - first determine how often it fires per revolution of
the crankshaft. The correct setting would be:
x1 for a waste-spark since it fires each revolution of the crankshaft
x2 for a full-sequential since it fires every other revolution.
MAP Present allows you to select whether or not you have the internal MAP sensor connected to the
intake manifold of your engine. If connected, you can use the Map cutoff feature as well as log the
MAP pressure. A check mark in the box tells the MAXIMIZER-II that the sensor is connected.
Ignition Retard #1 When allows you to select the mode of the internal ignition retard switch #1. When
‘Grounded’ indicates that the output is grounded when active. When, ‘Not Grounded’ indicates that
the ignition retard wire is floating or not grounded when active. If your system requires a 12-volt
trigger signal, refer to the wiring section or contact technical support.
Ignition Retard #2 When allows you to select the mode of the internal ignition retard switch #2.
Note: These outputs function like an internal switch that connects to ground. They can be configured
to open or close when active (0.5 amps max). To use this feature you will need an ignition system
with a timing retard function.
Nitrous Pressure Sensor Present allows you to select whether or not you have the nitrous pressure
sensor connected to the MAXIMIZER-II. This feature allows you to use the automatic bottle heater
control as well as log your bottle pressure. A check mark in the box tells the MAXIMIZER-II that the
sensor is connected and enables the automatic bottle heater control.
Bottle Heater Target Pressure (only available if sensor present is checked) allows you to select the
target pressure that the bottle heater will try to maintain.
Note: The automatic bottle heater function can be enabled/disabled manually via the bottle heater
switch, however the controller will only enable the heater if there is sufficient pressure in the line. If
the pressure is too low, the status indicator (optional) will flash slowly – once per second – and the
heater will be disabled. The automatic bottle heater function DOES NOT require the MAXIMIZER-II to
be armed.
Idle allows you to set the TPS idle setting.
WOT allows you to set the TPS wide-open-throttle setting.
GPO #1 and GPO #2 sets the mode that the general-purpose outputs operate as.
STATUS LED – the output will turn on when ever the MAXIMIZER-II is ARMED. If there is a
fault, it will flash at 4 times per second. If your bottle pressure is too low and either the arm
switch or bottle heater enable switch is on, it will flash at once per second. The fault status
takes precedence over the bottle pressure status.
BOTTLE OPENER – the output will open the bottle whenever the MAXIMIZER-II is armed or
the bottle heater enable switch is on. This feature requires the optional remote bottle opener
control module and an electric bottle opener. It will close the bottle if both the arm switch and
bottle heater enable switch are off.

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AUTOMATIC PURGE – when the MAXIMIZER-II is armed, the output will automatically trigger
your purge solenoid relay for the amount of time you set in the Purge Time setting. If you have
the other GPO configured as BOTTLE OPENER, the AUTOMATIC PURGE will wait until the
bottle open cycle is complete before doing a purge. If the bottle is already open (bottle heater
enabled) it will purge immediately.
Number of Gears allows you to set the number of gear profiles. The MAXIMIZER-II can have a
unique profile for each gear for each stage.
Gear Reset Time allows you to set the time in seconds that the MAXIMIZER-II will wait before setting
its gear counter to the predetermined gear. This occurs only after the MAXIMIZER-II has been armed,
activated and has been left in the armed state.
Reset To allows you to set the default gear for the gear reset time.
Transmission Type allows you to select the type of transmission (manual or automatic). If ‘Manual’,
there is no more configuration required for Transmission.
If Automatic, proceed as follows.
Detect Gearshift Above allows you to set the minimum RPM threshold above which the
MAXIMIZER-II can detect a gear change.
Trigger Gearshift Drop allows you to set the amount by which the RPM must drop before the
MAXIMIZER-II will detect the change as a gear change.
Enable 4 Solenoid Single Stage allows you to set the MAXIMIZER-II into single stage mode. In this
mode both channels act as a single channel allowing you to drive 2 pairs of solenoids as a single
stage. A checkmark in the box enables this feature.
Enable Load Balance tells the MAXIMIZER-II to alternately pulse the solenoids. Normally channel 1 &
2 solenoids would be pulsed on and off at the same time which can cause fuel pressure and voltage
dropouts. Enabling this will have the effect of reducing the load by as much as 40% during the ramp
interval.
WARNING: DO NOT use this feature if your fuel and nitrous solenoids are not on the same channel.

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2. .4 4. .2 2 S St ta ag ge e 1 1 & & 2 2 T Ta ab b
Copy Data from Stage x allows you to copy all settings from the other stage and overwrite the current
stage’s settings. Be careful as there is no UNDO function – current changes will be lost.
Stage present allows you to add or remove this stage from the MAXIMIZER-II configuration menu.
Removing the check mark disables this stage regardless of any other configuration options.
Stage Type allows you to set the nitrous ramp to Time based or RPM based.
Enable TPS-based Control enables the TPS control feature. This feature allows the driver to cut back
the nitrous by simply easing up on the throttle as long as the TPS stays above the trigger level. The
throttle range between TPS TRIGGER AT and WOT is used to attenuate the nitrous ramp by as
much as 35%.
TPS Trigger at allows you to set the throttle point above which the nitrous can be turned on.
EGO Cutoff allows you to set the lean point at which the nitrous automatically turns off. The
MAXIMIZER-II will not turn the nitrous back on until it has been successfully disarmed and re-armed.
The STATUS LED will flash quickly if a lean shutdown occurred.
Lean Cutoff Delay allows you set a delay for the lean cutoff function. The MAXIMIZER-II must see a
lean condition for the full delay period before it will shut off the nitrous. This allows short, non-harmful
lean spikes to be ignored.
RPM Cutoff allows you to set the upper RPM threshold at which the nitrous will be turned off. (useful
with locked torque converters)
MAP Cutoff allows you to set the MAP pressure at which the nitrous will be turned off. (useful with
large turbo applications where nitrous is used to compensate for turbo lag)