The Benefits of Water/Methanol Injection for Gas Engines
Overview The AEM Water/Methanol Injection kit with 1 gallon tank includes all the elements necessary to do water/methanol injection right on nearly every forced induction gasoline vehicle. Imagine having the benefits of a super efficient intercooler and race gas-like detonation control but for hundreds of dollars less and all packaged in a complete kit. Run more boost and ignition timing to gain as much as 20% more horsepower while still using pump gas!
Key Features Comes loaded with more standard high quality features and functionality than any other comparably priced system available, including: · 1 Gallon tank with built in low level switch · Boost referenced progressive controller · “Boost Safe” readiness safety system · One machined billet injector with integral check valve to prevent unintended flow · Three interchangeable injector nozzles to cover a wide range of HP levels · Recirculation-style pump with integral fittings · LED dash light for system status and low fluid warning · 20 ft. of injection tubing
How Water/Methanol Injection Works Reduce Inlet Air Charge Temperatures Water/methanol injection helps to reduce inlet air charge temperatures and suppress detonation. A highly atomized mist of water/methanol mix is injected into the inlet airstream where it immediately starts to evaporate. The air charge temperature is reduced through evaporative cooling as the fluid changes states and goes from a liquid to a vapor. This “liquid intercooling” effect can reduce intake air temperatures by as much as 100°F or more! A cooler, denser air charge delivers more oxygen that allows for more fuel to be burned and more horsepower to be made. A cooler air charge also helps increase the knock threshold by reducing the chance of pre-ignition and detonation.
Reduce Knock Combined, water and methanol can significantly increase your effective anti-knock index allowing for higher boost pressures and more ignition timing advance. Water absorbs heat which allows it to reduce excessive combustion temperatures and slow down the combustion rate. By slowing and controlling the combustion rate the chance of detonation occurring is greatly reduced. Methanol is a cool burning, high anti-knock rated fuel that also helps to cool and control combustion.
Reduce Carbon Deposits Water/methanol injection will reduces carbon deposits inside the combustion chamber and in the intake manifold. Many engines use Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) for emissions control which can lead to massive carbon build up inside the air intake. Water/methanol injection will help to eliminate this build up and promote better airflow for better engine efficiency. Reducing carbon build up in the combustion chamber helps to reduce “hot spots” that can cause unwanted pre-ignition and detonation. In some instances, water/methanol injection can also slightly increase fuel economy.
AEM Water/Methanol Injection Results 1991 Plymouth Laser w/Stock 4G63 TD04 Turbo and AEM EMS 30-6300. Pump gas run 18psi, 11:1 AFR, 10 degrees ignition timing. Race gas run 18psi, 11:1 AFR, 18 degrees ignition timing. Pump gas and Water/Methanol 18psi, 11:1 AFR, 25 degrees ignition timing.
Comes Loaded With Standard Features The AEM Water/Methanol Injection System comes loaded with more STANDARD features and high quality components than any other comparably priced injection system available on the market today. While some other systems are only available with a small tank or without a tank at all, the AEM injection kit comes standard with a 1 gallon tank with built-in low level switch. The “Boost Safe” injection readiness safety system comes standard in all AEM Water/Methanol Injection Systems. One machined billet aluminum injector and three interchangeable nozzles are included to cover a wide range of potential horsepower levels. The injector features an integral check valve that prevents unintended fluid flow. 20 feet of injection tubing facilitates the system being installed on practically any vehicle.
Boost Referenced Progressive Controller The AEM Water/Methanol Injection System uses an on-demand boost referenced progressive controller to drive a high pressure injection pump. Basing injection progressively on manifold pressure allows for the correct amount of water/methanol to be injected at all points along the engine’s power curve. At lower boost levels where only a small amount of water/methanol flow is needed, the controller drives the pump at low speed delivering the necessary flow rate. As boost increases, along with intake air temperatures increasing as well, the controller increases the pump speed allowing for more water/methanol to be injected into the engine, helping to cool and control combustion when it’s needed most.
“Boost Safe” Readiness Safety System AEM’s progressive controller has a unique system readiness failsafe called “Boost Safe” that monitors the entire injection system. If at any time the controller detects an error, the “Boost Safe” output will trigger a ground signal. The “Boost Safe” output will activate if there is a short, loss in continuity from a broken wire or bad connection, blown fuse, overheated pump, overheated pump driver, or a high or low voltage condition. The fluid tank comes fitted with a pre-installed low level switch and in the event the fluid level begins to get too low, the “Boost Safe” output will activate putting your engine into a safe mode before the system runs completely out of fluid. This failsafe function is an exclusive feature only available on the AEM Water/Methanol Injection System.
Heavy Duty Recirculation-Style Pump Now with integral fittings, AEM's recirculation-style pump offers improved performance, reliability and a much smoother, quieter operation when compared to older switched-style pumps. With the use of a new internal bypass design, AEM's upgraded pump eliminates erratic on and off switching/pulsing and ensures consistent fluid delivery for optimum performance. With durability and reliability in mind, AEM has designed the pump with a Santoprene diaphragm and EPDM seals to withstand the harshest of alcohol mixes.
Legal in California only for racing vehicles which may never be used upon a highway. Important Safety Notice Regarding Methanol
AEM strongly recommends that users never exceed a 50% methanol concentration when using any AEM Water Methanol system or component.
All AEM Water/Meth injection systems and components (pump, lines, fittings, filter, flow sensor, tank, and nozzles) are 100% chemically compatible with methanol. However, for safety reasons we strongly recommend that users never use more than a 50% methanol concentration in our systems.
Methanol is a toxic and highly flammable chemical. 100% Methanol ignites easily and burns vigorously with an almost undetectable flame. Methanol can be absorbed through the skin and even small amounts can cause blindness or even death. Using this fluid at high pressures, without dilution, in an under-hood environment with nylon lines and push-to-connect fittings is very unsafe. The performance advantages of using greater than 50% methanol concentrations are small, if they exist at all. However, the safety issues are very real and far out weigh any perceived benefit of running high concentrations of methanol.
Note: AEM holds no responsibility for any engine damage or personal injury that results from the misuse of this product, including but not limited to injury or death caused by the mishandling of methanol.
Note: FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS, ALL WATER/METHANOL INJECTION SYSTEMS AND GAUGES SHOULD BE RUN WITH AN AEM INLINE FILTER (AEM PART #30-3003)
