All owners of 4WD motorheads want to drive faster and boost their engine power. In the high-performance automotive market, various devices are there to increase engine power. One of the most widely used ones is water/methanol injection. If used properly, this injection is advantageous to forcibly induced and naturally aspirated engines.
Although the primary function of this injection is to remove the likelihood of detonation, with proper tuning, it can also be used by drivers to bump up the horsepower output.
Water/Methanol Injections Systems of brands like aem come with robust hardware and advanced features. It allows you to achieve power gains without relying on higher octane racing fuel.
What Is Methanol?
It’s an alcohol compound consisting of a single carbon and oxygen atom and four hydrogen atoms. This volatile liquid was synthesised for the first time in the 1600s. During World War II, it was used extensively in supercharged fighter planes. In the 1960s, the liquid was even banned as it added excessive power to competition engines.
The function of Methanol
Methanol prevents detonation. In gasoline engines, detonation happens when the air/fuel charge of the cylinder compresses and heats to the degree of auto-ignition at the compression phase. If this happens farther back in the compression stroke, like in high horsepower instances, all the internal elements of an engine get destroyed. Water/methanol injection systems, like those offered by brands like aemdeliver an atomised mist of methanol/water mix to the cylinder charge of an engine. When the mixture assimilates heat and vaporises, the temperature within the cylinder minimises, thereby decreasing the likelihood of detonation.
Today one can find vehicles equipped with a knock sensor. They are also suitable for eliminating the likelihood of detonation by slowing down ignition timing. It does it when detonation, also called ‘knock’, is identified or detected.
Water is non-combustible. Thus, it has a higher ability to cool intake charges as compared to Methanol. It is the reason behind the manufacturer’s recommendation of water and meth being mixed in an equal ratio and injected into the vehicle’s engine. Methanol efficiently enhances the fuel’s octane rating, providing the owner with the advantages of running greater octane levels. The vehicle’s motor can run more advanced ignition timing and enhance the generation of more horsepower through the water’s evaporative effects and Methanol’s boost.
Some Essential Things to Know About Water/Methanol Injection
- People are often concerned as to whether the water/methanol injection will damage their engine. Although you cannot completely ignore the possibility of damage, you can certainly prevent it by installing and using the unit properly. Water and Methanol dissolve the build-up of carbon, so it will help keep various car components like valves, combustion chambers, and spark plugs clean.
- Water injection can be run without Methanol too. However, when you run it without it, you will not benefit from Methanol’s octane boosting properties. You will thus get cooling from the water but no enhancement in octane. Consequently, you won’t be able to make more power.
- Water/methanol injection can be used on naturally aspirated cars too. It is utilised in such vehicles when there’s a need for more octane. Another reason for its application on naturally aspirated cars is when there are detonation issues.
Do you desire to notice an improvement in the threshold of your engine’s detonation? A water/methanol mixture can help you. The article must have enlightened you on its role for the same purpose.