Alky questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
Alky questions
I have a few questions about alky/methanol injection. I've heard that you can smell it while driving. How strong is the smell? Also, on average, how long would a tank of alky last? (typical WW reservoir setup) Does it last longer than a tank of gas? I just keep thinking that it might end up being a hassle, sort of like filling a nitrous bottle all the time. If you run out, does it mess up your tune since your no longer spraying it? How easy is it to buy methanol and what does it cost? Probably all dumb questions, but thanks in advance.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Originally Posted by 2fast4sanity
I have a few questions about alky/methanol injection. I've heard that you can smell it while driving. How strong is the smell? Also, on average, how long would a tank of alky last? (typical WW reservoir setup) Does it last longer than a tank of gas? I just keep thinking that it might end up being a hassle, sort of like filling a nitrous bottle all the time. If you run out, does it mess up your tune since your no longer spraying it? How easy is it to buy methanol and what does it cost? Probably all dumb questions, but thanks in advance.
If your car is aggresivly tuned due to the alky then if you run out you would need to stay out of boost untill it is refilled.
It is alot easier than filling nos because you do not need a fill station etc, it is the same as filling washer fluid.
Methanol is about $3 dollars per gal at the track.
Or order it from VP fuels.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by DOUG @ ECS
One WW tank full will generally last for two tanks of gas depending on how heavy your foot is. There is no smell inside the vehicle that I have ever noticed.
If your car is aggresivly tuned due to the alky then if you run out you would need to stay out of boost untill it is refilled.
It is alot easier than filling nos because you do not need a fill station etc, it is the same as filling washer fluid.
Methanol is about $3 dollars per gal at the track.
Or order it from VP fuels.
If your car is aggresivly tuned due to the alky then if you run out you would need to stay out of boost untill it is refilled.
It is alot easier than filling nos because you do not need a fill station etc, it is the same as filling washer fluid.
Methanol is about $3 dollars per gal at the track.
Or order it from VP fuels.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Brandon, SD
I have Julio's kit, using WW tank and I have never smelled methanol. I get about 2 tanks of gas to one tank of methanol inWW. I looked up auto racing in the phonebook, asked them where to buy and found a local shop within 15 minutes. Bought a new 5 gal gas can just for meth and I'm set. I live in Boulder Co, and thought I would have to order, but no. Might try phonebook and do a little calling, might get surprised.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Zurich - Switzerland
Tune: alcohol affects the WB reading (it gets richer).
I would first spray water alone, set the AFR, and then switch to water-alcohol.
Also be careful to spray only during PE or the LTFT (+ STFT) will be messed up big time (-10 or so) during a certain time (1-2 minutes).
I would first spray water alone, set the AFR, and then switch to water-alcohol.
Also be careful to spray only during PE or the LTFT (+ STFT) will be messed up big time (-10 or so) during a certain time (1-2 minutes).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
Originally Posted by tici
Tune: alcohol affects the WB reading (it gets richer).
I would first spray water alone, set the AFR, and then switch to water-alcohol.
Also be careful to spray only during PE or the LTFT (+ STFT) will be messed up big time (-10 or so) during a certain time (1-2 minutes).
I would first spray water alone, set the AFR, and then switch to water-alcohol.
Also be careful to spray only during PE or the LTFT (+ STFT) will be messed up big time (-10 or so) during a certain time (1-2 minutes).
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Zurich - Switzerland
PE = power enrichment = cell 22 = WOT = no reading the O2's to correct fueling
STFT = short term fuel trims
LTFT = long term fuel trims
O2 = oxygen sensor = lambda sensor
If the car is not in PE the O2's will tell the PCM to correct fueling to stay stoichiometric.
STFT change instantanely, LTFT change within longer time (minutes?). It belong to the learning (adaptive) system of the PCM.
If you spray alcohol during this learning process the PCM will reduce the fuel because it thinks the AFR is off (too rich).
If you spray during PE the PCM won't care.
STFT = short term fuel trims
LTFT = long term fuel trims
O2 = oxygen sensor = lambda sensor
If the car is not in PE the O2's will tell the PCM to correct fueling to stay stoichiometric.
STFT change instantanely, LTFT change within longer time (minutes?). It belong to the learning (adaptive) system of the PCM.
If you spray alcohol during this learning process the PCM will reduce the fuel because it thinks the AFR is off (too rich).
If you spray during PE the PCM won't care.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Zurich - Switzerland
Harley99, could you pls tell me your WI settings? Just curious to know what other people are running.
I use 50% ethanol, 5GPH @ 100 PSI, start to inject @ 2 PSI.
My AFR (spraying water alone) is set @ 12.5 and WOT timing is 17*. I saw no power increase with more timing or different AFR so I guess it's optimized. I just can't compare it with others because not many people run the same setup (6PSI Vortech non intercooled).
I use 50% ethanol, 5GPH @ 100 PSI, start to inject @ 2 PSI.
My AFR (spraying water alone) is set @ 12.5 and WOT timing is 17*. I saw no power increase with more timing or different AFR so I guess it's optimized. I just can't compare it with others because not many people run the same setup (6PSI Vortech non intercooled).
916/795 rwhp C5R 412 YSI
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Julio
The alcohol that smells is Denatured. Methanol burns completely odorless. Denatured smells like antifreeze poured on a header.. like a sweet pungent smell..
HTH
HTH
Not as bad as a car running straight Race Gas, but getting close.I find that every degree of timing I add, I pick up 5 RWHP @ 12 PSI. Since I have a stock bottom I really did not try to push it too far, but did verify it was acting linear with the last 4 degrees of timing I added up to 21. (Your mileage may vary)
916/795 rwhp C5R 412 YSI
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by dads01dream
Holy cow!!! You're making that kind of hp with a stock bottom-end & 12psi. Man, you're a brave guy. That must be some kinda tune you've got on that car.
That must be some kinda tune you've got on that car.I'm really surprised that I'm able to pull down that kind of power, I guess with a t-trim, alky, cam, etc I guess I finally have done enough to get there. A decent set of heads would certainly be too much for it I'm sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Well..... no way of knowing without trying!!! Go on and git those extra parts, I'd love to find out where the "limit" ultimately is.
Kudos to your tuner, the guy's obviously got a great little system going there. Have you ever taken it to the track? Just curious how your car runs.
Kudos to your tuner, the guy's obviously got a great little system going there. Have you ever taken it to the track? Just curious how your car runs.
916/795 rwhp C5R 412 YSI
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by dads01dream
Well..... no way of knowing without trying!!! Go on and git those extra parts, I'd love to find out where the "limit" ultimately is.
Kudos to your tuner, the guy's obviously got a great little system going there. Have you ever taken it to the track? Just curious how your car runs.
Kudos to your tuner, the guy's obviously got a great little system going there. Have you ever taken it to the track? Just curious how your car runs.
My problems then and somewhat still exist today is 4.10's (too much gear), too big profile of tire 18" and I need to drop to a 16" or 17", drag radials when I need to get something that I don't spin 25% of the way up the track. Yada yada. Also I had a rev limiter set at 6200 RPM then, so I was going through the traps under no power or having to shift into 5th. Now, I'm set @ 6800 RPM, so it is a bit better. Still need 3.42's and some M/T's before I try again.
I actually ran a 11.82 @ 118 MPH, which I was disappointed in. 1.79 60' time and 97.9 MPH 1/8th.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Huh..... only 118 mph? Sure sounds like you were maxed out on gear! Well, I guess it's true what they say..... It's all in the *combination*. 
Hearing about clutch issues always makes me glad I have an A4, a weak/stock A4, but at leat I can get a performance rebuild to avoid any future problems.
Thanks again.
Hearing about clutch issues always makes me glad I have an A4, a weak/stock A4, but at leat I can get a performance rebuild to avoid any future problems.
Thanks again.