Methanol Injection info

[rfinkle2]

This is going to go through some edits until I can finish it, but figured @ least some of the info can be posted for now.


Some of what is written here is my opinion, so please be sure to use common sense, and check with your tuner before making any changes to your meth system or installing a kit.

As all of you guys know, methanol injection can be used to increase the octane of the fuel burning in your engine, and cool the charge and exhaust gas temps.
In the case of many of the BT guys, it can also be used as a source of supplemental fuel when you run out of direct injection headroom (aka high IDC’s).
Lots of guys worry about running a methanol injection kit, and because it is a fuel source, is vital to the proper operation of your car, especially if using it as an alternative fuel, some concern is warranted.
I’ve listed what I have found to be good practice when running a kit in terms of maintenance and covered some of what I have found to be the better parts available between the vendors.

PLEASE NOTE: some of the below is not applicable to dual nozzle set-ups or direct runner injection

TESTING YOUR METH INJECTION IS FUNCTIONAL WHILE DRIVING
-For pre-throttle body single nozzle set-ups, it is easy to make sure your meth is spraying without going “full retard”. If you goose the gas, and hit either the boost level or the maf voltage that you are spraying @, you will see your bat’s drop like a rock after letting off the throttle.
-You can also QUICKLY (as not to completely flood the engine.. use a back and forth motion.. do not stop the motion), adjust the controller while driving and watching your afr. (PLEASE be sure to return the controller settings back to where you have your car tuned for)
****IT doesn’t matter if the indicator is pulsing green on your controller, or your led is lit up like a Christmas tree. Just because your pump is functioning doesn’t mean that meth is being injected into your engine. ****
-IMO, most meth kit failures occur while the car has been sitting. Failures can come from stuck check valves, solenoids failing, or leaks.
-In general, if you leave the house and are spraying meth @ the rate you are tuned for, you are likely to be fine for the remainder of the drive.
-Monitor your afr to ensure you are hitting targets
-If your car has been stored or sitting for an extended period of time this member has some good precautionary info.... Hyperlinked to post below.. Methanol Injection info


FAILSAFES AND FLOW GAUGES:
-Aem makes a flow gauge that can be mounted in line. In the case that you have it as close to the nozzle as possible, only a leak @ the nozzle would give a false sense the meth is spraying.
Water/Methanol Flow Gauge | AEM
-They (AEM) also make the most accurate failsafe available (imo)
Water/Methanol Flow Gauge | AEM
-Snow performance's failsafe and gauge.
http://www.snowperformance.net/safeinjection.html

Fittings and lines
- Most of the manufacturers offer push to connect fittings for meth transfer. IMO, these lines and fittings are prone to leaking especially if running tight bends and a trunk mounted tank
- If your budget allows, I highly recommend upgrading your lines to AN hose and fittings or stainless lines
- The standard size for these lines is -4AN
- Push lock hose can also be used, but one of the only methanol compatible push lock hose is linked to below.
- Fragola performance systems series 8600 / 8700
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...-push-lok-hose



-Nozzle size [/B][/B]

- K04 - 7-10 GPH should get you to MBT.
- BT In most cases, a 10-12 GPH nozzle will get you to 400 HP
- If you are making over 400 hp, it is best to collaborate with your tuner on what type of dual nozzle or large nozzle set-up you will need.




NOZZLE PLACEMENT

- Placement in relationship to throttle body- the closer the nozzle to the throttle body, the less overall charge cooling, but the more fuel will make its way to the chamber in the form of supplementary fuel
- Individual runner nozzles can be used, but the more lines and fittings used in the kit, the more connections can leak
**** you can no longer use methods of testing the system using the BAT sensor / Map sensor if you are running direct runner injection****



SOLENOIDS AND CHECK VALVES (please note the 2 integrated check valve nozzle holders available from Snow performance and AEM)

- IMO, it is absolutely critical to run one or the other or both simultaneously. It is critical that no methanol leaks into the intake tract while the car is not running.
- *note : Check valve cracking pressure should be figured into the pressure that you plan on running your nozzle and pump.
- Below is a video of the advantage of running a solenoid (see notes on integrated check valve nozzle holders above)

Water Methanol Injection Solenoid Testing - YouTube

Water Methanol Injection Solenoid Testing - YouTube

NOZZLE MOUNTING OPTIONS


Bungs -
- Depending on your IC piping (which is almost always aluminum), you will need a weld bung that is the same material as the piping.
- I wouldn’t recommend counting on your thin walled IC piping to maintain a tapped thread more for longer than 2 nozzle changes.
-The below bung is lesser expensive than the other bungs available and fits better, imo…

Weld-on Nozzle Bungs (metal pipe) Weld-on Nozzle Bungs (metal pipe) [SPBUNG23] - $15.00 : USRT, Usually Sideways Rally Team



Silicone mounts-
- silicone nozzle mounting options:
-
- Water Alcohol Methanol Ethanol Injection Systems - Articles - Tech Articles - mounting water injection nozzle in silicone





Some of the better parts available from the manufacturers and important notes:

Snow Performance

offers a nozzle holder with integrated check valve (newest version)

Nozzle Holder (check valve equipped) Nozzle Holder [82204] - $29.00 : USRT, Usually Sideways Rally Team


Devils own -
- best stage 1 kit pressure switch (imo),
- offers stainless lines in custom sizing

Alky control -
-uses mcmcaster carr nozzles (highly recommended by cld12pk2go).
-Kit is somewhat customized so you will need to contact Julio and he will guide you through setting up your kit.



Aqua mist -
-Fittings and line are BSP which will need adapter fittings to integrate with other kits
-kits include failsafe.
-Uses BSP pipe threads vs NPT.
-BSP to NPT conversion fittings can be purchased through Mcmaster Carr.



Aem -
offers the widest variety of controllers, although the controller is a pain to mount.
-Full kits come with integrated level switch and pre mounted bulkhead.
-Proprietary nozzle holder with integrated check valve.

-Thread on nozzle holder are not compatible with any standard 1/8 npt nozzles
-Test button on v2 controllers


Mcmaster carr - full cone nozzles available mounting option is different than the remaining nozzles on the market

McMaster-Carr
(thanks to cld12pk2go for the info)

What you can spray with your methanol injection kit…
-Most of the time, you can contact your local race track and ask them if they have methanol available …
-Most tuners will recommend you spray 100% methanol regardless of the kit manufacturer's recommendation. There are very few cases that any water mix is beneficial on most platforms, including ours.
-Yellow bottle heat - Dustin was nice enough to contact Heet in the past and verify that Yellow bottle heet is in fact 99% methanol and although expensive, can be used in a pinch.
-VPM1
VP racing fuel, specialty lubricants, performance chemicals
Sunoco methanol
Sunoco Race Fuels
Other alcohols etc.
Water Alcohol Methanol Ethanol Injection Systems - Articles - Tech Articles - What Type Of Fluids Can I Use With My Water Methanol Injection System

Installation and general maintenance

- Keep lines as square to the fitting as possible when using push to connect
- Recut push to connect nylon lines to rid the line of indentation from old connection every time
- If possible, keep the tank above the pump to allow for gravity feed
- Pump pressure can be used to vary nozzle output
- Large GPH nozzles tend to drip more than smaller nozzles
- A solenoid and check valve can be used, each with advantages and disadvantages
- ****Check valves and screens on nozzles / filters should be flushed with water on a regular interval if running 100% methanol****
- An fittings and push to connect can be interchanged via a gutted check valve if a combination of the 2 is used

Not sure if credit goes to me or Norm, but in a pinch, and you need your meth to spray... necessity is the mother of invention. Trick push to connect to AN fitting flip flop using 1 half of each style gutted check valve