Water/Alcohol Injection FAQ
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Water/Alcohol Injection FAQ
I noticed a lot of people had questions about the water/alcohol injection... i search the net and pulled up an FAQ for you guys...
Water Injection Facts:
When increasing the boost level of a turbocharged vehicle, an undesirable byproduct is an increase in intake temperatures as well as a corresponding increase in combustion temperatures.. These higher intake temperature increase the chance of detonation within the cylinder. The best solution is to add an intercooler when the boost pressure exceeds 12 psi, but this is not always practical due to cost and packaging limitations. The early Chrysler TI (drawthrough) turbo engines are a good example of packaging limitations. It is somewhat difficult to fit an aftermarket intercooler to the factory manifold. This makes it a good canidate for water injection.
Water injection decreases the possibility of detonation by lowering the combustion chamber temperatures and increasing the effective "octane" of the fuel. This allows the engine to run a higher boost and full spark advance without the use of race gas. Additionally, if the water is atomized in the intake stream, there is an additional cooling of the intake charge. Both effects are increased with the inclusion of 50% alcohol to the mix (don't spray the exterior of an intercooler with alcohol!, this refers to internal injection only). The additional fuel of the high octane alcohol will in turn allow boost beyond what the factory fuel system can deliver.
Water injection also has the effect of "steam cleaning" the combustion chambers and exhaust valves. This removes the carbon build up that decreases efficiency and leads to pre-ignition(detonation). It will also keep the throttle body and interior of the intake manifold much cleaner than normal.
Water Injection FAQ:
Will water injection increase my horsepower?: Yes, but not directly. Water injection works to eliminate detonation, also known as knock. The big gains come from the ability to increase boost as well as the full ignition advance allowed by the ECU when it does not detect knock. While the cooling of the intake charge will produce some power increases, those increases are cancelled by the charge space occupied by the water vapor. In other words, there is slightly less room for air and fuel. However, by using up to 40 percent alcohol with the water, additional cooling takes place before the turbo, and the alcohol works as a fuel in the charge. This results in an increase in power.
Is water injection new?: No. Water injection was used during WWII to surpress detonation in fighter aircraft and increase their service ceiling.
Does the water "burn" in the engine?: No. The water simply converts from a vapor to a gaseous state which absorbs huge amounts of heat, due to the energy required to transform it.
What if my engine has an intercooler?: We do not suggest injecting water before the turbo in an intercooled application, as most of the water will condense out at the intercooler. However, our system works great as an auxillary sprayer to increase the efficiency of your intercooler. In this application, water (add ice if you wish) is sprayed on the exterior of the intercooler to carry away the heat. Simple, easy, and effective. Subaru WRX rally cars use the same type of sprayer on their intercooler (but I bet it cost more).
Do I need an extra "tank"?: No. Our systems are designed to use the original washer fluid tank (most have a built in level sensor), but you may choose to add a seperate tank which you supply. The alcohol/water mix actually works like washer fluid, so you can kill two birds with one stone.
How often do I need to fill the tank?: It all depends on how often you use the system (it's only active under high boost) and how big the tank is. Even the smallest tanks will last for 8 full 1/4 mile runs or so. In around town driving (racing?) a tank full should out last a tank of gas.
Info from: http://www.dawesdevices.com/water.html August 4, 2003
Water Injection Facts:
When increasing the boost level of a turbocharged vehicle, an undesirable byproduct is an increase in intake temperatures as well as a corresponding increase in combustion temperatures.. These higher intake temperature increase the chance of detonation within the cylinder. The best solution is to add an intercooler when the boost pressure exceeds 12 psi, but this is not always practical due to cost and packaging limitations. The early Chrysler TI (drawthrough) turbo engines are a good example of packaging limitations. It is somewhat difficult to fit an aftermarket intercooler to the factory manifold. This makes it a good canidate for water injection.
Water injection decreases the possibility of detonation by lowering the combustion chamber temperatures and increasing the effective "octane" of the fuel. This allows the engine to run a higher boost and full spark advance without the use of race gas. Additionally, if the water is atomized in the intake stream, there is an additional cooling of the intake charge. Both effects are increased with the inclusion of 50% alcohol to the mix (don't spray the exterior of an intercooler with alcohol!, this refers to internal injection only). The additional fuel of the high octane alcohol will in turn allow boost beyond what the factory fuel system can deliver.
Water injection also has the effect of "steam cleaning" the combustion chambers and exhaust valves. This removes the carbon build up that decreases efficiency and leads to pre-ignition(detonation). It will also keep the throttle body and interior of the intake manifold much cleaner than normal.
Water Injection FAQ:
Will water injection increase my horsepower?: Yes, but not directly. Water injection works to eliminate detonation, also known as knock. The big gains come from the ability to increase boost as well as the full ignition advance allowed by the ECU when it does not detect knock. While the cooling of the intake charge will produce some power increases, those increases are cancelled by the charge space occupied by the water vapor. In other words, there is slightly less room for air and fuel. However, by using up to 40 percent alcohol with the water, additional cooling takes place before the turbo, and the alcohol works as a fuel in the charge. This results in an increase in power.
Is water injection new?: No. Water injection was used during WWII to surpress detonation in fighter aircraft and increase their service ceiling.
Does the water "burn" in the engine?: No. The water simply converts from a vapor to a gaseous state which absorbs huge amounts of heat, due to the energy required to transform it.
What if my engine has an intercooler?: We do not suggest injecting water before the turbo in an intercooled application, as most of the water will condense out at the intercooler. However, our system works great as an auxillary sprayer to increase the efficiency of your intercooler. In this application, water (add ice if you wish) is sprayed on the exterior of the intercooler to carry away the heat. Simple, easy, and effective. Subaru WRX rally cars use the same type of sprayer on their intercooler (but I bet it cost more).
Do I need an extra "tank"?: No. Our systems are designed to use the original washer fluid tank (most have a built in level sensor), but you may choose to add a seperate tank which you supply. The alcohol/water mix actually works like washer fluid, so you can kill two birds with one stone.
How often do I need to fill the tank?: It all depends on how often you use the system (it's only active under high boost) and how big the tank is. Even the smallest tanks will last for 8 full 1/4 mile runs or so. In around town driving (racing?) a tank full should out last a tank of gas.
Info from: http://www.dawesdevices.com/water.html August 4, 2003
Last edited by iamboo; Aug 4, 2003 at 12:28 PM.
so im confused...every time i drive, i need to spray the mixture
what if i forget?
or run out while im just daily driving
what if i want this turbo for daily and not race? is that not practical?
what if i forget?
or run out while im just daily driving
what if i want this turbo for daily and not race? is that not practical?
omg this is so cool...id sell my computer, my tv my printer, my desk lets see what else...my chair my lil fridge...for that kit!
wait what am i saying i still need the comp...but mabye not
wait what am i saying i still need the comp...but mabye not
Last edited by cdmx; Aug 6, 2003 at 06:25 PM.
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Rep Power: 0 yes. i set mine up the other day.... i adjusted it to come on only when the boost really kicks in... it's a stronger pulling sensation. lol. no really, i think it helps out.
you wont forget to use it because it is always on. it will only spray to where you adjust it to.
you wont forget to use it because it is always on. it will only spray to where you adjust it to.
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Rep Power: 0 what are the effects of running the W/A injection system and running a NX intercooler sprayer? would that help a bit more with making the air more dense? or is it just over kill and pointless?
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Rep Power: 330 How much for just the kit shipped? and since I have an air to air intercooler should I install it after the intercooler then?
Oh and is the mist of water harmfull to the intake air sensor?
Oh and is the mist of water harmfull to the intake air sensor?
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Rep Power: 0 $100 or so for the kit.. install is RIGHT by throttle body... loook at my rides pics to see... works GREAT.. wont harm anything because it isnt used consistently, and the mist is VERY small due to the turbulence of air coming through the intake at the speed it does...
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From: Boston, MA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by CivicZEX
How much boost could you run with just water injection and no intercooler ?
How much boost could you run with just water injection and no intercooler ?
Thread Starter
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by UnOrthodox9546
So its safe to run 11psi with this right? But what can the fuel system take it?
So its safe to run 11psi with this right? But what can the fuel system take it?
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Rep Power: 0 If you guys have access to uni chem labs you can just get some reagent grade ethanol/methanol (etc) and get some demineralized distilled water. Everything is pure and contaminant free. Especially if you live in an area that has very hard water.
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http://www.aquamist.co.uk/cp/sys1/sys1a.html
http://www.aquamist.co.uk/cp/sys1/sys1a.html
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the oringinal post didnt mention adding alcohol....so you dont always have to run water with alcohol, you can just run plain water?
edit- my bad it did talk about adding alcohol, but still, can you run plain water?
edit- my bad it did talk about adding alcohol, but still, can you run plain water?
Last edited by EnProceso; Nov 6, 2003 at 04:14 AM.
