What are the benefits of Water/Methanol injection?
- Greatly reduced EGTs - Decreases of 250 degrees F are common using a 50/50 water-methanol mix. Increased EGTs are an engine killer in today's performance diesel world.
- Greatly increased air charge densities - 3-5 psig boost increases are common.
- Great for towing - more power/cooler EGT's to haul the heaviest loads.
Why is Water/Methanol injection so effective on Diesels?
Unlike gasoline engines, the power in a turbo diesel is largely a function of fuel. The problem with continually adding fuel is that you create an overfueling condition and reach a point where the exhaust gas temperatures become prohibitive (over 1500 degrees F). A 50/50 water/methanol mix will decrease EGT's approximately 200-300 degrees F while increasing power 70-100HP.
Power is increased through:
- Intake charge cooling - Water/methanol will lower air charge temps over 200 degrees F in this application.
- Methanol - this acts as a combustion catalyst as well as a cooling agent.
Can the Boost Cooler be applied to naturally aspirated and nitrous engines?
- Naturally aspirated/high compression engines:
In this application, water/methanol injection allows the use of pump fuel in all but the most extreme situations which effects tremendous cost savings as well as horsepower increases due to air density increase and realized timing potential. The system is activated by a boost referenced switch so that injection takes place only during high engine loads when needed.
- Engines using nitrous:
With nitrous, water/methanol injection allows the use of full timing even with large (250HP+) quantities. Injection is controlled by the same means that controls nitrous injection.
- Naturally aspirated/stock compression:
With naturally aspirated engines with less than 10:1 compression, water/methanol is used typically in warm climates to get the intake temps back to 60f. Benefits include: 10-15 HP increases from air density increases and full timing, Increased gas mileage, and carbon free combustion chambers. Activation is by a throttle switch adjusted for onset engine load. With this application, the nozzle is sized so that no more than 10% of total fuel consumption at peak flywheel HP is injected.
Why Methanol?
Methanol is a fuel that is extremely clean with an excellent cost/benefit ratio. ($1.50 - $2.00 per gallon.) Its high latent heat of vaporization also makes it an excellent air charge cooler which means a denser mixture and more horsepower. Because of these facts, it is a better fuel in diesels than ethanol or isopropanol although they will work in a pinch. It is extremely toxic and should be handled with rubber gloves in well ventilated areas only. Care should be taken to avoid skin contact.
Is Methanol Safe for my Diesel?
Methanol makes an excellent adjunct fuel. Because it has a cetane number of 4CN, it makes safe power without spiking cylinder pressures. In fact, it cools combustion so much that hotter intake charges and higher compression are required if 100% methanol is used.
"Combustion of neat methanol alone results in a cetane number of 4CN with reduced PM (smoke) and NOx. " see SAE Technical Paper #940326 "Combustion and Emissions Characteristics of Minimally Processed Methanol in a Diesel Engine"
Where can I get methanol?
SP sells a 50/50 water/methanol mix as Boost Juiceā¢ (see products). Methanol can generally be purchased where racing fuels are sold. Also, most gas line dryers like "Heet" are simply methanol. Suppliers of industrial chemicals can also supply methanol usually at a higher price than fuel suppliers.
If all else fails, most windshield washer fluids are up to 40% methanol and 58% water. Although most contain some glycol and detergent( less than 1%), most windshield washer fluids are up to 40% methanol. Try to find one that indicates "contains methanol" and is good to -20 degrees F.
How long does the fluid last?
The amount of fluid you'll use depends on a couple of variables:
- How much power you're making
- How big of a load you're hauling
- How aggressively you drive
Our standard 2 quart reservoir works in applications that are making a good amount of horsepower (300-500 hp), but a better option is to tap into your factory windshield washer tank. By using your washer tank to hold the fluid for our system, you're giving yourself extended range without having to add another bulky item under your hood. All of our diesel kits include the fitting need to use your washer tank.
Another option is our 8 gallon reservoir for those taking longer trips and hauling larger loads.
Snow Performance's own 2004 Dodge Cummins 1-ton dually uses the factory washer tank. During normal around town driving, we get a full tank of fuel out of a full tank of fluid.