Methane\Water injection in place of Intercooler?

[roadwarrior687]

Hey All,

I posted this on bimmerforums also. We have some VF charged cars here to though so posting it here as well;

I've had my '02 540i VF supercharged for about two weeks. Everything is fine and running great except for getting heatsoaked. Being in Southern Cal my car tends to heat up and I can really notice the horsepower loss when hot.

I got my dynoed (322rwhp btw) at a local dyno shop that does alot of vortech units on mustangs. I mentioned the heatsoak issue and they mentioned using a Methane mixed with Water injection to cool the charge using the windshield washer resevoir to hold the mixture. This seems to be something used for vortechs for years. Since I am a real newbie here, is a Methane\Water injection (~$400) a real viable alternative to an intercooler (~$2200)?

Thanks!

[Sc'd540i6]

Hi Richard,

How did they explain that system would work? They have a flammable gas permiated in water, and they are using it how? A jacket over the inlet tube behind the charger?

I don't get it.:dunno:

[iversonm]

I don't get it.:dunno:

I think he's referring to methanol, not methane.

If not, perhaps fart injection is going to take the world by storm. :confused:

[firedwg1]

I think he's referring to methanol, not methane.



I think you are correct... since he was talking about mustangs I researched it. Here is one of many websites

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0407mm_snow/photo_01.html

BTW I think my exhaust barrings need to be replaced... maybe this guy can help me find new ones... J/K

[jimmyz2]

Water injection helps but really is like a band-aid.You should get charge cooling(inter or aftercooler) to help cool down your IAT's.

[Jon@TheMshop]

Water injection helps but really is like a band-aid.You should get charge cooling(inter or aftercooler) to help cool down your IAT's.

ICS Performance made an air to air intercooler setup on a 540i but there is no kit available.

VF engineering won't come out with a stage 2 kit/upgrade probably till next year.

[4cammer72]

meth injection is more than just a bandaid. i have a turboed 2.3 ford with a holset and it reduces detonation and straight methonol will make up for not enough injector size while increasing horse power. can you say 32lbs of boost?

[chimmike]

This idea has been tried on other cars, and it has turned out to be dangerous.

Essentially what was said is true, meth/alky/water injection is merely a band-aid to allow higher boost than on straight pump gas. Unfortunately, you can't run on meth injection the entire time you're running the car. With a supercharger and the enormous heat they create in compression, it's terribly unwise to run without an intercooler.

[jimmyz2]

meth injection is more than just a bandaid. i have a turboed 2.3 ford with a holset and it reduces detonation and straight methonol will make up for not enough injector size while increasing horse power. can you say 32lbs of boost?

I can say 32lbs. of boost,but I just cannot say,"Fo.d".

[ZeroG]

The most common manufacture of what you are referring too is Aquamist. It is also known as Water Injection. Active Auto Werke makes a knock off kit as well. It work by sparying the liquid in the intake tract as a form of a mist. It is usually good for 5 or 6 octane points in reducing detonation.

In my opinion it is not a replacement for and Intercooler.

[FTT843]

................ Alky injection is NOT a band-aid. Road warior i have know idead who quoted you $2200 for an IC but thats friggin nuts. You can pick up a Spearco 1080 cfm unit for around $500 and its practically the best IC your gonna get, and its got same side inlet/outlet so running pipes to it is easier. Megasquirt (alky injection) probly isnt the best application for "you" because it really only prevents detonation from running high psi#'s, It will cool down the intake charge, but you will see much better results from a large IC up front.

[jimmyz2]

................ Alky injection is NOT a band-aid. Road warior i have know idead who quoted you $2200 for an IC but thats friggin nuts. You can pick up a Spearco 1080 cfm unit for around $500 and its practically the best IC your gonna get, and its got same side inlet/outlet so running pipes to it is easier. Megasquirt (alky injection) probly isnt the best application for "you" because it really only prevents detonation from running high psi#'s, It will cool down the intake charge, but you will see much better results from a large IC up front.


Ask ANY reputable tuner---go aftercooler/intercooler first or go home.

[jimmyz2]

................ Alky injection is NOT a band-aid. Road warior i have know idead who quoted you $2200 for an IC but thats friggin nuts. You can pick up a Spearco 1080 cfm unit for around $500 and its practically the best IC your gonna get, and its got same side inlet/outlet so running pipes to it is easier. Megasquirt (alky injection) probly isnt the best application for "you" because it really only prevents detonation from running high psi#'s, It will cool down the intake charge, but you will see much better results from a large IC up front.


Ask ANY reputable tuner---go aftercooler/intercooler first or go home.