Methanol ?? Considering running it and need some advice!

rx7boy · April 13, 2011, 10:19:43 AM

I have been considering for some time now to completely change the fuel system to run only methanol. The reason for this being that fuel prices are getting to the point that I cannot afford to take the car to the track. Also I want to try something different.

Im hoping some of you might have some good information about the pro\'s and cons of using methanol. The car is predominantly a track car only, however there could be the possibility of running a dual fuel system. (2 tanks sharing the same lines.)

I know this seems a bit out there and random, but it just seems like a fun project, and hopefully due the nature of methanol be able to produce some good power figures.

Engines current state is a street port with t62-1 turbonetics single. Usual supporting modifications such as fuel system upgrade and coil rewire.
I currently have an Apexi Pro ECU which enables the extra features such as dual rpm limit and ignition cut instead of fuel. I could continue to use this ecu and connect the datalogit each time I swap fuel/map but also considering using another type of ecu which has multiple fuel mapping. Would really like to hear peoples opinions on this.

What I think i know so far is,
Another set of injectors (1680cc) due to 70% more fuel needed to gain correct AFR\'s
Complete fuel system overhaul, new allow tank, teflon lines etc
The system will have to be flushed each time I use the car.

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks

Prof · April 13, 2011, 10:23:56 AM

It\'s worth noting that Methanol also eats aluminium, so you may need to change fuel tanks too.

DRAGON · April 13, 2011, 11:30:45 AM

You havent got enough car to run the car on petrol, but wnt to convert it to methanol, which will cost a fortune!
There are a multitude of issues top consider, one main one being that Methanol exhaust fumes are highly poisones

rx7boy · April 13, 2011, 11:38:56 AM

Quote from: DRAGON;755741You havent got enough car to run the car on petrol, but wnt to convert it to methanol, which will cost a fortune!
There are a multitude of issues top consider, one main one being that Methanol exhaust fumes are highly poisones

Thanks again Ross for you in depth information and solid support:Hammer. Think you need to get back to listing your items on ebay mate !! :rollin

AtomicRex · April 13, 2011, 11:43:58 AM

Quote from: DRAGON;755741You havent got enough car to run the car on petrol, but wnt to convert it to methanol, which will cost a fortune!
There are a multitude of issues top consider, one main one being that Methanol exhaust fumes are highly poisones

Not only that but you need to drain the system down after each run as Methanol is extremely corrosive!

clive · April 13, 2011, 11:49:26 AM

Steady on chaps, if nothing else Ross is right in that there are a mulitude of things to consider as pure Methanol is very hostile stuff to the whole of the cars fuel system let alone cost,

If its down to cost then with more research a petrol / methanol mix may be more viable.

Years ago I competed against guys who ran a mix which used to be evident in the cold as it put like a heat haze up, then taking tank samples was introduced which stopped this.

One you may wish to consider in its place is LPG as every Rotary I\'ve know run on this is happier and seems always to have the added bonus of producing a bit more power,

Hope this helps

rx7boy · April 13, 2011, 11:50:34 AM

Quote from: AtomicRex;755745Not only that but you need to drain the system down after each run as Methanol is extremely corrosive!

As mentioned in my first post, I only use the car for track, running the car for 10mins afterwards with petrol in the tank is not a problem.

PGiljevic · April 13, 2011, 11:59:39 AM

Of far more sense is to run the car on normal unleaded fuel and run water injection (WM50 mixture) that way you can retain ALL of your current system parts, run on lowest cost main fuel supply, and run as much boost and power as you can achieve on that turbo.

its easy.

RRWEP110 water injection kit
CDI ignition system
20lt drum of methanol + Free water = 40lt + supply of boost juice! which will last you between 200lt to 1000lt of petrol depending on how you drive and how ofter you use the power.

Converting the car to run 100% Methanol (main fuel) is a disaster and not necessary at all + as Ross said the fumes will kill you :Hammer

rx7boy · April 13, 2011, 12:25:48 PM

Quote from: clive;755746Steady on chaps, if nothing else Ross is right in that there are a mulitude of things to consider as pure Methanol is very hostile stuff to the whole of the cars fuel system let alone cost,

One you may wish to consider in its place is LPG as every Rotary I\'ve know run on this is happier and seems always to have the added bonus of producing a bit more power,

Hope this helps

Hi Clive,

The fuel lines I believe I have covered, I have been advised to use MSA Teflon braided hose, which will not corrode when using methanol.

The car is currently completely stripped of all the fuel system, including the tank and exterior lines as I was already planning on running a fuel cell.

My main concerns are the effects on any of the seals within the engine due to prolonged use of Methanol. I am happy to flush the system everytime it get used, which im hoping will just be a case of leaving the car to idle with regular petrol for around 10mins after each days track session.

I understand its quite a change from the norm and I as of yet just looking for information.

shaunwil · April 13, 2011, 01:01:22 PM

Out of interest are you allowed to run methanol on trackdays ?

I\'d go with the water injection route and stick with the super unleaded. Just what setup and mods are you running with now ?

Shaun

shaunwil · April 13, 2011, 01:02:19 PM

oops, you mentioned what your setup is !!

Shaun

DRAGON · April 13, 2011, 01:41:00 PM

You realise you wont be able to start the car in the pit garages etc?
Also you will need 2.2 the amount of meth to match petrol, so will it actually be cheaper?
Also who will tune it for you, as I only know of one rotary that has run on pure meth in the UK?

DRAGON · April 13, 2011, 01:45:57 PM

Quote from: rx7boy;755743Thanks again Ross for you in depth information and solid support:Hammer. Think you need to get back to listing your items on ebay mate !! :rollin

Haha just seen this! I\'ll get straight back on eBay

rx7boy · April 13, 2011, 05:09:22 PM

Right then, my enthusiasm has just been squashed for this idea, just got of the phone to a race methanol supplier.

Basically he reiterated quite graphically what many of you have said already with it being far to dangerous due to the colourless flame. last thing I want is to set something or someone on fire. plus with Danny always smoking around my car during track days I would be stuffed

Thanks for you input guys.

Will now be looking at other fuels :3gears-lh

clive · April 13, 2011, 08:33:14 PM

Quote from: rx7boy;755813Basically he reiterated quite graphically what many of you have said already with it being far to dangerous due to the colourless flame.

To explain further Indy cars have run Methanol for years as it it much less volatile than petrol in the event of the type of accident that used to kill many drivers in the 60\'s however the down side as said above is that if somebody is on fire you cannot see flame.

In every pit for every car in Indy car their is a 45 gallon drum filled to the brim with water, this is so a fueler or mechanic that is burning can jump into it to put himself out as water is the only thing that will put out Methanol flame as normal fire extinguishers are useless .

I have seen it many times on TV where a pit member is looking like he is going ballistic where he is invisibly on fire !!

(pleased Anglo American fuels helped)