Water
injection was evaluated scientifically in the 1930.s by H. Ricardo who
demonstrated that one can basically double the power output of an engine
using water/methanol. The first widespread use was during WWII on
supercharged and turbocharged aircraft. In 1942, the German Luftwaffe
increased the horsepower of the Focke-Wulf 190D-9 fighter aircraft from
1776HP to 2240HP using 50/50% water/methanol injection. The allies soon
followed by fitting the P51 Mustang and other high performance aircraft
with water/methanol injection. Following the war, the turboprop aircraft
industry used water/methanol injection and called it the "automatic
power reserve system (APR)" for use in hot or high altitude take off. It
surfaced again in the 60's when GM used a system on the OEM turbo
Corvair. It was used effectively in Formula 1 before being banned for
adding too much power. The latest competitive use is in World Rally
Racing (WRC) where virtually all teams use it in some form and in diesel
truck/tractor pulling competition. It is important to note that in the
fall of 2004, the long standing world record in the quarter mile for
diesels was broken twice (now 7.98 sec) by two different vehicles; both
using the Boost Cooler water/methanol injection system by
Snow Performance. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The
Boost Cooleris Snow Performance's latest generation
water/methanol injection system. The primary function of water/methanol
injection is to provide "chemical intercooling".
In gasoline engines, as with
any intercooler, this suppresses detonation so more power producing boost and
timing can be utilized. Water, with its high latent heat of vaporization cools
the intake charge and combustion. Methanol cools the charge and combustion but
also acts like an extremely high octane fuel (some researchers claim as high as
120 octane) as well as adding more oxygen to combustion. Shipping charges are
not included in the prices below.
1. What are
the benefits of Water/Methanol injection?
Boost Cooler Benefits (Gasoline):
1. Low cost - where else can you get up to 60HP for as low as $299?
2. More power than other means of detonation control.
3. Efficiency - leaner air fuel ratio can be utilized for normal
operation.
4. Greatly increases air charge densities for huge horsepower increases.
2. Can the Boost Cooler be applied to naturally aspirated and nitrous
engines?
1.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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
3. Do I need an intercooler with Water/Methanol Injection?
Up to approximately 30 psi boost,
water/methanol injection (using at least 50% methanol) will provide all
the density increase/detonation control needed in most applications. Of
course, intercooling and water/methanol injection would provide even
greater benefits especially beyond 30 psi boost. Most air-to-air
intercoolers are only 50-65% efficient. That means for example, that
with 11 psi of boost and the resulting 120°f air charge temperature
increase, an intercooler reduces the air charge temperature only 60
degrees. Also, an intercooler will reduce boost 2 - 4 psi. on average.
4. Why not use a windshield washer pump?
Water/Methanol must be injected at above
50psi to properly atomize. Lower than 50psi causes greatly reduced air
charge cooling as the result of larger droplets and their reduced total
surface area. Also with inadequate atomization, there is a greater
propensity to quench combustion resulting in a loss of power.
5. Why Methanol?
Methanol is a high octane fuel that is extremely resistant to detonation
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 anti-detonant than ethanol or iso-propanol
although they will work in a pinch. It has however only about 60% of the
energy content of gasoline by volume so about twice as much is used to
make similar power if used as a straight fuel. It is extremely toxic and
should be handled with rubber gloves in well ventilated areas only. Care
should be taken to avoid skin contact.
6. Where can I purchase Methanol?
SP sells 50/50% methanol/waterMethanol as Boost Juice™ (see products).
Methanol can generally be purchased where racing fuels are sold. Also,
most gas line dryers like "Heat" 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 rated to -20ºf.
Methanol can be purchased on the web at www.worldwideracingfuels.com and
hiperfuels.com.
7. What ratio of water/methanol is recommended?
A 50/50 ratio is recommended. This has been
demonstrated to be the best for charge/air cooling, excellent detonation
control, and safety.
8. How long
does the fluid last?
The range you'll get out of our system
depends on a couple of variables:
- How much power you're making
- The settings of your system
- How aggressively you drive
In most instances our standard 2 quart reservoir works well to provide
the required amount of fluid. We have seen that a 2 quart reservoir
provides enough fluid for a 400-500 hp car to make 12-15 full throttle
quarter mile passes.
For those looking to get more range out of their system, they can tap
into their factory windshield washer reservoir and use it to hold
water/methanol. This is a good option because most washer reservoirs
have a large capacity (normally at least a gallon) plus they're already
methanol resistant (washer fluid has methanol in it). Also, the washer
reservoir is already under the hood so it doesn't require having to add
another bulky item into the engine bay.
The fitting needed to tap into your washer reservoir is available for
$9.95 above. The standard 2 quart reservoir can be swapped out for a
blukhead fitting at no cost.
9. Can this
damage my engine?
Increasing the power output of any engine
does put more stress on the engine internals. For older engines, there
should be some consideration that engine life could be shortened.
However, the use of this product reduces the pressure on the cylinders,
increases efficiency and raises oxygen levels to produce more power.
When used on high output engines or engines with increased stress due to
superchargers and turbos, the use of this product can actually increase
the life of the engine. It's not a fail safe by any means and one should
not rely on the physic/chemical advantages this product provides.
Pushing an engine beyond it's potential will shorten the life. However
an informed mechanic can take the necessary steps to limit the potential
of failure. In other words, "do your homework." Professional tuning is
suggested in all cases.
Water
injection was evaluated scientifically in the 1930.s by H. Ricardo who
demonstrated that one can basically double the power output of an engine
using water/methanol. The first widespread use was during WWII on
supercharged and turbocharged aircraft. In 1942, the German Luftwaffe
increased the horsepower of the Focke-Wulf 190D-9 fighter aircraft from
1776HP to 2240HP using 50/50% water/methanol injection. The allies soon
followed by fitting the P51 Mustang and other high performance aircraft
with water/methanol injection. Following the war, the turboprop aircraft
industry used water/methanol injection and called it the "automatic
power reserve system (APR)" for use in hot or high altitude take off. It
surfaced again in the 60's when GM used a system on the OEM turbo
Corvair. It was used effectively in Formula 1 before being banned for
adding too much power. The latest competitive use is in World Rally
Racing (WRC) where virtually all teams use it in some form and in diesel
truck/tractor pulling competition. It is important to note that in the
fall of 2004, the long standing world record in the quarter mile for
diesels was broken twice (now 7.98 sec) by two different vehicles; both
using the Boost Cooler water/methanol injection system by
Snow Performance. 
