I've been really slow on ever getting around to posting up the methanol install. I did it back in January and meant to post it up then. I'm throwing it in general tech here for a broader audience to try and convince others to go this route in the future. For those thinking about doing a supercharged application, it's a must, as it keeps the car running like it was naturally aspirated (e.g. no heat soak and consistent power delivery).

For those who keep the car stock and/or just do bolt-ons, consider getting more power out of your C6. It really makes the car beastly. My setup is considered modest compared to others who go "all out." This setup is faster than a stock ZR1 in a straight line and man oh man this is how the Corvette should feel/be. Mine is daily driven 15,000 miles a year and the car is put through it's paces.

I'm not going to debate blower application preference (roots/centrifugal) but I've driven both and both types of applications maintain a stock driving experience. As you can see from the power numbers below there are gains in the midrange but if you keep the car under 4000rpms it's pretty civil in power application. Power on boost at 4000rpms roughly equals max power of a bolt-on C6. Anything above that it's hold on city and the power gains exponentially and FAST...

I had a little free time this afternoon so I decided to play with some numbers and some old dyno graphs to put everything in perspective. The headers only reads low because it, like the other readings, are all on a Mustang Dyno (which read lower than a DynoJet). This setup could easily see well over 650RWHP on a DynoJet.

These are the "power" modifications:
-ECS 1500 Blower Kit (10-12psi max depending on conditions)
-ECS Alky Methanol Injection
-PFDAT long tube headers

MAX numbers BOLDED below

Headers: 385/403
Supercharger: 574/532
Methanol: 640/588

TORQUE
RPM // Headers // Supercharger // Methanol //
2750 // 353 // 382 // 400 (+47RWTQ)
3000 // 362 // 403 // 420 (+58RWTQ)
3500 // 376 // 450 // 476 (+100RWTQ)
4000 // 378 // 485 // 520 (+142RWTQ)
4500 // 403 // 519 // 560 (+157RWTQ)
5000 // 378 // 532 // 588 (+210RWTQ)
5500 // 365 // 520 // 582 (+217RWTQ)
6000 // 338 // 500 // 560 (+222RWTQ)
6250 // 320 // 482 // 535 (+215RWTQ)

So "peak" gains were 185 but at anything over 5000RPMs I'm putting well over 200RWTQ down more than headers only. Power under the curve FTW!!!

HORSEPOWER
RPM // Headers // Supercharger // Methanol //
2750 // 185 // 200 // 210 (+25RWHP)
3000 // 206 // 230 // 240 (+34RWHP)
3500 // 250 // 295 // 310 (+60RWHP)
4000 // 290 // 370 // 395 (+105RWHP)...here we go ramping up the power!!!
4500 // 345 // 445 // 480 (+135RWHP)
5000 // 362 // 507 // 560 (+198RWHP)
5500 // 384 // 545 // 610 (+226RWHP)
6000 // 385 // 571 // 640 (+255RWHP)
6250 // 380 // 574 // 635 (+255RWHP)

How does this all feel / sound???
Normal Driving and a Full Throttle Hit

 

Nice power. We're at the exact horsepower levels expect I'm cam'd 7-8lbs and no meth.

 

Huge fan of meth kits, even on NA cars, and not even to just push the timing to gain HP.

The meth will clean the oil out of the intake manifold that the pvc system is throwing into it and the rest of the engine. Not only this, but it will clean the pistons, head domes, valve and even the exhaust manifold and cats, since the Meth steams cleans too (water in the meth mix).

Of these, hence back at the pistons, Oil on the pistons can cause detonation/reduction in octane level in the cylinders, so not only is the meth creating more HP, but keeping oil and carbon build up in the cylinders pretty much from happening for a HP lose too.

Bluntly, we almost never use the Windshield wipers fluid in the vets, so the windshield wiper tank can serve as as double duty for both the meth and windshield wiper fluid. If you are pushing for more HP, then you want to run a 50/50 mix in the tank (will work fine as windshield wiper fluid), but if you are adding the meth kit for cleaning more instead than sole increased HP alone, then standard winter windshield wiper fluid does the trick as a meth mix as well (will now have to add washer fluid to the tank a few times a year if the car is just a DD, verse the having to add fluid to the tank every few years instead).

 

I would like to see where you mounted the tank and pump, I have one from AEM and installed in the rear trunk, not currently hooked up yet, just ran all the wires and lines, I haven't drilled the hole into the intake yet. Would be great to see more pictures of this set up. Great numbers Thanks in advance

 

What's a good 50/50 blend to use for HP on a daily driver?

 

it's installed behind the front left wheel and uses the windshield washer fluid tank

M1 100% I don't use a mix

 

50% meth, 50% distilled water if you are looking for a higher HP gain.
Methanol can be bought locally for around $8 a gallon from a chemical supplier, and distilled water is less than a Dollar a gallon, so you around $5 a gallon for the mix (a lot cheaper than snow boost juice at $36 a gallon).


Winter blend windshield wiper fluid is around 25% meth, and 75% water instead. So your still gaining the cooling effect of the mist to lower intake air temps so the motor is not retarding timing due to higher AIT's, and also the cleaning effect of the water when it steams during ignition: but can not push the timing as far as you would with a 50/50 mix (octane is not being raised as high as with a 50/50 mix).

Note, if you are going to be running winter windshield wiper fluid instead of a 50/50 mix, than have the tune set for it. If you get a higher percentage of meth in the fluid, then it just and added detonation protection since the octane is higher in the cylinders due to the meth higher level. Hence the higher the meth percentage, then higher the octane value in the cylinders, and the higher/faster you can push timing for a HP gain that way.

 

so you have your meth plumbed before the maf? thought it was supposed to be reversed?

 

Pretty sure he's not using the MAF and is just using the IAT in it..

 

I'm thinking hard about adding meth 1st (meaning, install it, get the kinks out, etc.) before I supercharge mine, so I may PM you for some specific questions.

I'm hoping to see Nosferatu's setup in person next week at his exhaust installer too

 

what do you think the headers added to your gains? I'm going ECS 1500 + meth within the next couple weeks. Completely stock now.

 

great write up, especally becuase I am thinking about doing this right now! I have a daily driver 09 with an edelbrock, and headers, conservatively tuned at 6-7 PSI. I want to add methanol and increase my boost to around 10 PSI. I want to do the work myself and just take it in to get tuned. Other than a methanol kit and the smaller pulley, will I need anything else? injectors? fuel system mods? i.e. boost-a-pump?I have 575 rwhp now and still want to keep it in the "safe" range. thanks

 

Another comment and question about he MAF and spraying meth/water.
I took out a MAF on another GM car with meth injection kit. I believe it was a hot wire type MAF ( fourth gen Camaro). Should the spray nozzle be after the MAF on the Corvette?

 

Nos,
Wow that things a beast!

I have a few questions on the methanol setup, how big is the reservoir (capacity) and how often do you have to fill it up? Finally, what is the average cost on the setup?

In addition, how do you get traction with that kind of real wheel torque! And how much are the rear shafts rated for from the factory? Are you running stock rear shafts?

Sorry, I know I ask a lot of questions...lol

 

I have a 3 bar MAP sensor and am tuned for speed density otherwise you would be correct. Long story short I couldn't get the car to run right at light load using the MAF to calculate fuel flow. Car would hesitate.

Just do them both at the same time. Look forward to showing you the setup.

You're really pushing/taxing the stock system at 575rwhp...I have larger injectors and a boost-a-pump.

Tank is the windshield washer fluid (around 1 gallon I believe give or take). I burned 1/3rd of a gallon doing 6 full 0-170mph pulls on a 1/2 mile track day and some "yeehaw" driving going to and from. It's about $5/gallon so pretty cheap. Parts and install around $1,000 for methanol. My first 5 gallon jug I have a little under a gallon left in it and that's been since over 3 months ago. I do push the car hard. It doesn't burn too much methanol.

 

Adding a honeycomb prior to the MAF made a huge difference on mine when running the MAF. I think there's just too much turbulence to not have some kind of air straightener

Although what you have going now seems to be working just fine!

 

Yes it drives just like stock on speed density.

 

Would the spray before MAF setup damage the MAF sensor?

 

I just ordered an alky meth system for mine, waiting for it to come in. I will post results once installed.

 

I have an Alky kit installed on both Z06's and the nozzle is routed through the intake, no damage to MAF. This is the preferred method of install.