What is Water Methanol Injection - How it works - Benefits
The basic principles of water/meth setups revolve around air density and intake temperature. By lowering the intake air temperature, air density is raised, the octane rating increases and the results are a bigger explosion and more horsepower.
As the water/meth mixture changes state from a fine liquid mist to a vapor, it absorbs heat and decreases air intake temperatures by up to 100 degrees fahrenheit. As the inlet air is cooled it becomes denser meaning you can pack more air and fuel into your cylinders causing a larger explosion, in turn, equalling more power! The fuel/air mixture going into the cylinder is going to be cooler with a water/meth injection, this cooler mixture will cut down premature detonation of the mixture or “knockâ€. Engine “knock†occurs when the internal temperature of your engine is so hot that it ignites the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder before it is supposed to be. This premature detonation can cause damage to spark plugs, pistons, valves and in extreme cases a “windowed†block.
Finally, after the water/meth is ignited the vapor acts as a steam cleaner for your ports, valves, valve seats, and piston tops, which reduces carbon buildup. This is especially beneficial for Direct Injection applications where carbon buildup is a big issue.
Water Methanol Kits
A water/meth mixture (Boost Juice) is stored in a reservoir, where it waits to be pumped through fluid delivery lines into the intake manifold or directly into the injection ports in some applications. The control module determines the rate and timing of delivery for optimal vaporization of the mixture and the greatest surface area. The finer a vapor or mist you can create, the more surface area there is, which generates the most efficient burn.
Types of Water Meth Injection Controllers
The three types are Boost controlled systems, MAF (mass air flow) controlled setups, and dual sensor setups. Boost systems work by using the boost pressure (psi) to regulate mixture delivery, while MAF systems use the voltage from MAF sensors to modulate delivery. Dual sensor setups use input from the fuel pressure and boost pressure to modulate injection.
The three types are Boost controlled systems, MAF (mass air flow) controlled setups, and dual sensor setups. Boost systems work by using the boost pressure (psi) to regulate mixture delivery, while MAF systems use the voltage from MAF sensors to modulate delivery. Dual sensor setups use input from the fuel pressure and boost pressure to modulate injection.
Snow Performance Controllers
Snow Performance offers a type of controller for nearly any vehicle, and the ones we will cover will be applicable to several or all BMWs. The names of these kits can be confusing, as they are not necessarily sequential in their performance. The ‘stages’ refer more to the capability of the controller itself, not whether it is usable or not usable for certain HP applications. The more advanced, however, the more power you will see due to the accuracy of mixture delivery. The more power your engine produces, the more accuracy you will need in order to achieve maximum efficiency and maximum power gains.
Snow Performance offers a type of controller for nearly any vehicle, and the ones we will cover will be applicable to several or all BMWs. The names of these kits can be confusing, as they are not necessarily sequential in their performance. The ‘stages’ refer more to the capability of the controller itself, not whether it is usable or not usable for certain HP applications. The more advanced, however, the more power you will see due to the accuracy of mixture delivery. The more power your engine produces, the more accuracy you will need in order to achieve maximum efficiency and maximum power gains.
Stage 1 - Boost
For the entry-level water/meth setup, the Snow Performance Stage 1 Kit uses a basic control module that has a boost switch. This switch can be set to trigger anywhere from 1 to 20 psi, where it will deliver the mixture. This setup is perfect for forced induction cars under 9psi or for drag racing vehicles that will not need a variable injection.
For the entry-level water/meth setup, the Snow Performance Stage 1 Kit uses a basic control module that has a boost switch. This switch can be set to trigger anywhere from 1 to 20 psi, where it will deliver the mixture. This setup is perfect for forced induction cars under 9psi or for drag racing vehicles that will not need a variable injection.
Stage 2 Original - Boost
The next step is one of two options, the original Snow Performance Stage 2 Kit. This system is also boost controlled, but the controller modulates the injection based on the boost rather than being just off or on like the Stage 1 kit. This system is a true ‘boost controlled’ setup, as the boost pressure determines the amount of mixture delivered. This setup is perfect for centrifugal superchargers and large turbo applications that spool slowly.
The next step is one of two options, the original Snow Performance Stage 2 Kit. This system is also boost controlled, but the controller modulates the injection based on the boost rather than being just off or on like the Stage 1 kit. This system is a true ‘boost controlled’ setup, as the boost pressure determines the amount of mixture delivered. This setup is perfect for centrifugal superchargers and large turbo applications that spool slowly.
Stage 2 New - Boost
Alternatively, Snow Performance’s 'new' Stage 2 system is a gauge style boost controlled module. This is a 'smarter' system, in that it has a low fluid level indicator, offers system monitoring, indicates system faults, and can be set up on the fly since it is interior mounted. The gauge also doubles as a boost gauge, as the digits will display on the OLED screen on the controller. This is the go-to kit for all boosted vehicles, with the exception of positive displacement superchargers and fast spooling, small, turbos.
Alternatively, Snow Performance’s 'new' Stage 2 system is a gauge style boost controlled module. This is a 'smarter' system, in that it has a low fluid level indicator, offers system monitoring, indicates system faults, and can be set up on the fly since it is interior mounted. The gauge also doubles as a boost gauge, as the digits will display on the OLED screen on the controller. This is the go-to kit for all boosted vehicles, with the exception of positive displacement superchargers and fast spooling, small, turbos.
Stage 2 MAF
For a roots style or screw style supercharger equipped vehicles, or cars with small, fast spooling turbos, the Snow Performance Stage 2 MAF kit is your best choice. The MAF sensor sends signals to the controller that allows it to modulate injection. This setup uses airflow instead of boost pressure, which means it can be more accurate and not subject to misinterpreting boost spikes like boost controlled systems can be. This kit is compatible with naturally aspirated vehicles, as well, since it only uses the MAF signal to determine injection.
For a roots style or screw style supercharger equipped vehicles, or cars with small, fast spooling turbos, the Snow Performance Stage 2 MAF kit is your best choice. The MAF sensor sends signals to the controller that allows it to modulate injection. This setup uses airflow instead of boost pressure, which means it can be more accurate and not subject to misinterpreting boost spikes like boost controlled systems can be. This kit is compatible with naturally aspirated vehicles, as well, since it only uses the MAF signal to determine injection.
Stage 3
For port fuel injection engines or direct injection engines, the Stage 3 controller uses dual data sensors to accurately inject the mixture as your engine requires it to. These systems use both fuel pressure and boost pressure to regulate mixture delivery, so they are only compatible with forced induction applications. This is the most capable, most adjustable, and most advanced system and is designed for newer, finely tuned, highly modified vehicles. This is the setup to choose if you already have a high output engine making excessively high horsepower.
For port fuel injection engines or direct injection engines, the Stage 3 controller uses dual data sensors to accurately inject the mixture as your engine requires it to. These systems use both fuel pressure and boost pressure to regulate mixture delivery, so they are only compatible with forced induction applications. This is the most capable, most adjustable, and most advanced system and is designed for newer, finely tuned, highly modified vehicles. This is the setup to choose if you already have a high output engine making excessively high horsepower.
Where can I get Methanol?
Boost Juice is the 49:51 meth to water mixture that can be shipped directly to you from us through Snow Performance. It is, according to Snow Performance, is your best choice for the most benefits in power and efficiency.
Windshield Washer fluid that is blue in color and rated for -20 degrees F with no special additives can be used as well. It is 30% methanol but can be increased by adding three 12oz yellow bottles of Heet gas-line-antifreeze per gallon of washer fluid. Do not use a fluid that contains additives, is not rated to -20 deg, or is any other color than blue. You can mix your own, as long as your methanol supply is neat, in that nothing has been added to it as a lubricant or additive. This method works best as a 50-50 mixture of meth to water.
Ethanol can be used in a pinch and mixed with water up to 50%. DO NOT use E85 or any other fluid with gasoline mixed in. These mixtures destroy the fluid delivery lines and will instantly void your warranty on your water/meth kit.
DO NOT use pure methanol. Not only does it burn with an invisible flame at a very low combustion point, but it also does not absorb as much heat as water. Remember, part of the benefits seen in water/meth mixtures are the temperature reductions across the intake charge air temperatures and combustion temperatures. Water helps to reduce those temperatures for the best performance.
Boost Juice is the 49:51 meth to water mixture that can be shipped directly to you from us through Snow Performance. It is, according to Snow Performance, is your best choice for the most benefits in power and efficiency.
Windshield Washer fluid that is blue in color and rated for -20 degrees F with no special additives can be used as well. It is 30% methanol but can be increased by adding three 12oz yellow bottles of Heet gas-line-antifreeze per gallon of washer fluid. Do not use a fluid that contains additives, is not rated to -20 deg, or is any other color than blue. You can mix your own, as long as your methanol supply is neat, in that nothing has been added to it as a lubricant or additive. This method works best as a 50-50 mixture of meth to water.
Ethanol can be used in a pinch and mixed with water up to 50%. DO NOT use E85 or any other fluid with gasoline mixed in. These mixtures destroy the fluid delivery lines and will instantly void your warranty on your water/meth kit.
DO NOT use pure methanol. Not only does it burn with an invisible flame at a very low combustion point, but it also does not absorb as much heat as water. Remember, part of the benefits seen in water/meth mixtures are the temperature reductions across the intake charge air temperatures and combustion temperatures. Water helps to reduce those temperatures for the best performance.
Takeaways
The use of water-methanol injection setups can benefit both forced induction and naturally aspirated BMWs for better performance, healthier engine operation, and greater efficiency. These kits are perfect for anyone looking for one of the best horsepower per dollar modifications as well as a modification that actually helps lengthen your engine’s lifespan rather than shorten it. If you want a boost in performance that is easy, efficient, and relatively inexpensive, water-methanol is definitely something to consider; especially if your BMW is a turbocharged version!
The use of water-methanol injection setups can benefit both forced induction and naturally aspirated BMWs for better performance, healthier engine operation, and greater efficiency. These kits are perfect for anyone looking for one of the best horsepower per dollar modifications as well as a modification that actually helps lengthen your engine’s lifespan rather than shorten it. If you want a boost in performance that is easy, efficient, and relatively inexpensive, water-methanol is definitely something to consider; especially if your BMW is a turbocharged version!
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