Fast Auto Sports presents Snow Performance Boost Cooler Water Methanol Injection Systems!

Here are The Facts and some of the most Frequently Asked Questions on these Boost Coolers and associated parts. For more detailed information please visit Snow Performance at www.snowperformance.net.

Why Water/Methanol Injection? 

The Boost Cooler® is 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. 

In diesels:Free power, one of the oldest forms of power, has now been modernized. The most detrimental effect on a diesel engine is exhaust heat. Keeping a diesel engine cool is the key to reliability and extended power output. When water is injected into a diesel in precise metered fashion, a few very beneficial things happen. As Water is vaporized into the hot intake charge, the air is cooled, creating a condensation effect. This condensation effect allows for more air molecules to reside in the same area. This denser air allows for more oxygen to enter into the engine, resulting in increased power and lower EGT’s. Another effect of water when injected at the correct ratio is a steam engine effect. As the combustion process takes place, the water separates into hydrogen and oxygen. This chemical reaction produces power from the water separation process. Another benefit of water injection is the engine cleaning effect. The water scrubs carbon from the engine head, intake, and exhaust valves increasing efficiency, power, and economy. Added to this is the fueling/power effect of methanol and you have a very cost effective power adder. In fact, nothing comes close. Not propane. Not nitrous. To summarize, the effect is three fold: 1. The intercooling effect provides for more available air and all the benefits of a higher positive pressure ratio (more power giving fuel can be utilized safely without high combustion temperatures). 2. The combustion of water provides for more power on the power stroke. 3. Methanol acts as an additional fuel for more power.

Historical Use:

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.

Competitive Use: 

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.

F.A.Q.

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 $299. Unprecedented levels of boost and timing can be added for maximum power all the time.
2. More power than other means of detonation control.
3. Efficiency - leaner air fuel ratio can be utilized for normal operation.
4. Increases air charge densities.

   2. Do I need an Intercooler with Water/Methanol injection?

Up to approximately 20 psi boost, water/methanol injection 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 20 psi boost. Most air-to-air intercoolers are only 50-65% efficient. That means for example, that with 11psi boost and its 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.

   3. 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.

   4. 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.

   5. How much Water/Methanol?

To prevent detonation, the ratio of Water/Methanol to gasoline is roughly 1 to 5 in gasoline applications- 1 to 4 in diesel. In practice, you give it as much water / methanol as it takes to eliminate detonation without quenching combustion. The amount depends on the onset RPM of injection, the octane of the gasoline, fuel/air ratio, cylinder head type, even the weather conditions. Your engine is actually pretty tolerant of extra water vapor, you will know it's too much when the engine misses and loses power.

   6. Where can I purchase Methanol?

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. Methanol can be purchased on the web at www.worldwideracingfuels.com and hiperfuels.com.

   7. Can I use windshield washer fluid?

Although most contain some glycol and detergent, most windshield washer fluids are up to 50% alcohol (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) and make an excellent Boost Cooler®. Try to find one that indicates "contains methanol".

   9. 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 controlling cylinder temperature.

Boost Cooler® Application Guide

DIESEL:

GASOLINE CARBURETED:

GASOLINE EFI FORD 1988+:

GASOLINE EFI OTHER:

1. 8-Gal Reservoir Upgrade recommended for towing.
2. Solenoid Upgrade Required if nozzle after the throttle plate or nozzle lower than top reservoir.
3. Check Valve Upgrade recommended if over 9 psig boost.
4. Bulkhead Fitting required if using existing reservoir.
5. Dual Nozzle Upgrade required if dual throttle bodies/carbs or over 600 RWHP.
6. 7-Qt Reservoir Upgrade recommended in road racing applications.
7. Part# 2001 (Stage-1 G) OK in budget build-ups.
8. Stage-2 MAF can be used with TP or MAP sensor output rather than MAF output. Otherwise, use Stage-1 NA.