Methanol

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YBLEGAL

Regular Member w/ Cheese
I'm going turbo soon, so I'll be tackling the fuel system next. I need to know the low down on methanol. I can't find much info. If you could give me some links or answer these questions, that would help a lot. I want to understand it before I rule it out as a possible fuel. I'd possibly like to switch between gasoline and methanol. I have an ECU chip that stores 2 profiles, so I can toggle fuel maps.

Car is a '00 Civic EX, motor is 10.4:1 B16
  • Can you switch between methanol and gas in the same fuel system?
  • I know the fuel rail as advertised by Edelbrock needs to be a certian material for methanol. Is this true?
  • What components would need changed to accomodate for methanol?
  • What are some advantages of methanol, including high octane rating?
  • Google hasn't been helpful. Where can I find info?
Thanks!
 
Hey, I have a buddy runnin straight methanol in 5.0 Mustang with no fuel mods, and it still runs, but Im not sure the what the long term effects will be. (he hasnt put very many miles on the car since he went to straight meth) Make sure all your o-rings are up to the task. In the carbs ive built its always a must to have o-rings that wont melt when saturated in meth. As far as the fuel rail goes, im not sure that you really absolutley need one thats noted to handle meth, but id get one either way since you can run gas through one thatll handle meth. In all the cases ive seen meth fuel components work with both gas and meth, so yes you could switch back and forth between the 2. One component id be cautious about runnin meth with would be the exhaust valves. meth burns hotter and slower (which is where the extra power comes from), which means its burning as it passes the exhaust valves.
 
I see. Alright I'll look more into the valves.

I also learned you should run methanol with gasoline, because the motor still needs the lubrication.
 
Ooo, I wasnt sure if you had to or not. Good to know. Any idea on what the mix ratio needs to be, or what area is safe to run?
 
no it didnt specify. from wikipedia:
Automotive fuel

Main article: Methanol fuel
Methanol is used on a limited basis to fuel internal combustion engines, mainly by virtue of the fact that it is not nearly as flammable as gasoline. Pure methanol is required by rule to be used in Champcars, USAC sprint cars (as well as midgets, modifieds, etc.), and other dirt track series such as World of Outlaws. Methanol is also used in radio controlled model airplanes (required in the "glow-plug" engines that primarily power them), cars and trucks. Drag racers and mud racers also use methanol as their primary fuel source. Methanol is required with a supercharged engine in a Top Alcohol Dragster and, until the end of the 2005 season, all vehicles in the Indianapolis 500 had to run methanol. Mud racers have mixed methanol with gasoline and nitrous oxide to produce more power than gasoline and nitrous oxide alone.
One of the drawbacks of methanol as a fuel is its corrosivity to some metals, including aluminium. Methanol, although a weak acid, attacks the oxide coating that normally protects the aluminium from corrosion:
6 CH3OH + Al2O3 → 2 Al(OCH3)3 + 3 H2O The resulting methoxide salts are soluble in methanol, resulting in clean aluminum surface, which is readily oxidised by some dissolved oxygen. Also the methanol can act as an oxidizer:
6 CH3OH + 2 Al → 2 Al(OCH3)3 + 3 H2 This reciprocal process effectively fuels corrosion until either the metal is eaten away or the concentration of CH3OH is negligible.
When produced from wood or other organic materials, the resulting organic methanol (bioalcohol) has been suggested as renewable alternative to petroleum-based hydrocarbons. However, one cannot use pure methanol in modern petroleum cars without modification, due to potential damage to metal piping and rubber seals.
 
Good info, thanks for that. That reminds me of one caution you should take if you use it. I've heard methanol can be ignited if its exposed to direct sun light, and when it burns you can see the flame. Not sure exactly how true it is, but just thought Id share that with you. Good luck with it, and if you get around to testing it post up some results. Im deffinatly interested to see how it works out for you.
 
Can anyone else provide some input too?
 
I can't really provide any input, but I was considering this on my build as well. The only reference I have to this is Jon Shepard's Eagle Talon that uses Methanol injection (::Shepracing.com - Race Car::). Thats a damn fast Talon.

I think the purpose of Methanol injection is to cool engine temps. Less heat leaves room for more power.
 
Methanol Injection puts a mist in your intake that helps fight detonation, which allows you to run more boost. It is used along with pump gas. Its advertised to give somthing like 25% more power. Snow Performance makes a really popular kit. Also, its a water/methanol mix, with those kist you can use windshield washer fluid.
 
why use methanol on a b16? you can get 500hp turbo on regular pump gas? why spend the money on methanol and whatever you have to do to accomodate it when premium fuel work just fine.

not bashing just want to make you realize that you might thinking about this too hard
 
why use methanol on a b16? you can get 500hp turbo on regular pump gas? why spend the money on methanol and whatever you have to do to accomodate it when premium fuel work just fine.

not bashing just want to make you realize that you might thinking about this too hard

Well gas prices are going up. It's the 'whatever have to do to accomodate it' part I'm interested in. Maybe it's not that big of a deal.

Methanol is $150 for 55 gallons which is ~$2.73 per/gal.

Gasoline here is $3.10 per/gal average.

I can make small quantities of methanol for free.

It's extra horsepower. I have a DD. 450whp reliable is my goal (in the future, not with the 14b I got lol). I know this might get costly, but I need to fully understand it before I throw it out. It's a good option to go with, including the oil politics' situation. I don't mind waiting the extra bit to get the money.
 
ohh ok. wow you guys are getting raped on gas. avereage here is $2.97. Walmart and Sams have it for like 2.85 or something.

well in that case more power to ya and good luck
 
Fuck all you guys lol. Gas prices here are close to 3.30 for premium.

It sucks.

I never thought of Methanol in that way, it could be less expensive than just buying gas.
 
ya this is killin me. idk where to go for info other than this shop in chicago (top setup). i dont have any dealings with them, it would seem weird just to go in and ask for such detailed info.
 
Fuck all you guys lol. Gas prices here are close to 3.30 for premium.

It sucks.

I never thought of Methanol in that way, it could be less expensive than just buying gas.


i just filled up at walmart for 2.83. thats regular though. Now the premium here is 3.30 also. Since the average is 2.95 for regular gas everywhere else.
 
i just filled up at walmart for 2.83. thats regular though. Now the premium here is 3.30 also. Since the average is 2.95 for regular gas everywhere else.

wow that makes no sense. our gas prices are spaced by .10, such as 3.00 for 89, 3.10 for 91, 3.20 for 93
 
Walmart and Sams can afford to sell it the cheapest possible. Just cuz its Sam's its not SAM's brand. They prolly get the same fuel as texaco.

I dont know. My car runs just fine. Hell my crx did too. And that was one picky engine.
 
wow that makes no sense. our gas prices are spaced by .10, such as 3.00 for 89, 3.10 for 91, 3.20 for 93

well i filled up at walmart. which is the cheapest. the other prices i mention were from the average stations like circle K and BP. I know they are spaced out between .10 intervals. Lets say walmart is 2.83 (with walmart savings card).

the average gas station is like 2.97/3.07/3.17. Bp tend to vary since they have specials were premium is cheaper that mid-grade.
 
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