Methanol as a performance fuel

[180bfj20det]

I would like to run methanol as a fuel as I have seen many cars benefit from the changement. Rayhall turbocharging claims on their website that you can add approx another 15 degrees of timing into your engine which is heeps which changement from pump to methanol! In addition, I have also read that methanol can give you an extra 20 percent power over pump fuel (providing your engine can take it).

Who has experiences with methanol?

Who has seen benefits?

What are the disadvantages apart from needing to changes injectors + pump (due to requirement of twice the normal flow since methanol needs to run twice as rich as petrol alone) and legality?

How much is it and where is it available on the gold coast?

What is its octane rating?

Does anyother fuel compare to methanol for power/dollar?

Cheers

[MSRB26]

Methanol is a fuel only ever used in darg cars and the like, it's not legal for road use. If you have ever stood near a car running Methanol you would know why. Apart from that you have to run a completly new fuel setup for it, i don't know specifics but i know of friends in the drag scene that have mentioned it.

If you want to run a better fuel than 98 you would still have to stick with a fuel like VP racing, that's about 103 and it's still unleaded so you can use it on the street. It's about $3.50 per litre though.

[Bobjones]

Methanol is used in drag set-ups as it will makes ya eyes water from the fumes. The fact is that most methanol set-ups on road cars are not 100% methanol (read this is for the strip only not for street use).

Basically Methanol lowers the intake temps and increases ron levels so more boost can be run without the problems of detonation. The system has to be set up correctly and not just "added to the tank". Its not an octane booster so don't even think of it like that. Most people run an additional injector or two from a fuel cell, separate lines and pump. I have seen a couple set up on N/A and turbo cars and have run effectively assisting in bring down 1/4 times and boosting top end power.

At the end of the day unless you have experience in fitting a system the cost will exceed the benefit. Stick to VP race fuels as listed above if you need increased octane. To reduce inlet temops the CO2 systems work extremely well, I prefer to use only externally on intercoolers as this has worked the best from what I have seen from properly tuned cars!!

[BezerkR32]

I would like to run methanol as a fuel as I have seen many cars benefit from the changement. Rayhall turbocharging claims on their website that you can add approx another 15 degrees of timing into your engine which is heeps which changement from pump to methanol! In addition, I have also read that methanol can give you an extra 20 percent power over pump fuel (providing your engine can take it).  

Who has experiences with methanol?  

Who has seen benefits?  

What are the disadvantages apart from needing to changes injectors + pump (due to requirement of twice the normal flow since methanol needs to run twice as rich as petrol alone) and legality?

How much is it and where is it available on the gold coast?

What is its octane rating?

Does anyother fuel compare to methanol for power/dollar?

Cheers

Methanol does allow you to run more ignition or boost. we ran 35psi on methanol.

Intake air temperatures are very low. Dont have to run intercooler. Fuel is good for racing only. Too fidly for the street, plus it is allegal. Fuel is very corrosive. It attacks everything. have to run serious filter system. Most people will argue that running electric pumps is trouble. i tend to agree, we had trouble with pumps. Mechanical fuel pump is way too go. Make sure your tune is good as methanol is not as forgiving, serious melt downs occur. But if your setup & tune is good, you will see the benefits. Its just a bit of trial & error.