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Long term use of Methanol.

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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 04:13 PM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by Jolly Green Monster
well yes this is true.. but then the turbo can be ported
Had this done on my VF34, when it was mapped in the summer it was fine, when the cold weather came never mind what i did to my boost controller the boost would always carry on rising above target.
I had the path to the wastegate ported and now have no boost control problems at all

BTW been using 10% Methanol in my car for about 6 months now with no problems and i get it locally for 60p a litre.
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 04:20 PM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by Henrik
Stupid question, but would it be possible to have the car mapped with this mix and use normal fuel on a lower boost setting
Originally Posted by MartynJ
Sorry Andy , just a misunderstanding on your part
I was reffering to the original question of 2 maps for different fuels not the ability to stop boost creep with the SimTek...
Silly me, I thought Henrik mentioned lower boost setting in that question I do however agree that a full map to suit the fuel is a better option than just tuning the lower part of the map for low octane, that way should boost creep occur, it is not such an issue.
The 'full 2 maps' option is also available on some of the original ECU's, soon to be expanded to the full 2.0 newage Sti range.
I would recommend Simtek as the best option for the classics when using different fuels is a requirement.

Andy
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 04:22 PM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by tenchy
so you are using only methanol on your fuel tank? you dont use any gasoline?
On occasion, yes
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 04:28 PM
  #64  
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What would be the next step up after 10% Methanol???
20% Methanol ??
10% Meth 10% Toluene ??

I going to be running GEMS next year with my AVCR so was planning to use the 2 boost settings on the AVCR and the Ignition retard option on the GEMS (set at say 4 or 5 degrees) to allow me to run 2 different fuel types. Does that sound viable??
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 04:42 PM
  #65  
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There is more than just boost and timing differences between the two from my limited experience.

Std fuel with 10% Methanol has a different stoich so needs adjusting properly to avoid big problems.
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 09:37 PM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by dynamix
There is more than just boost and timing differences between the two from my limited experience.

Std fuel with 10% Methanol has a different stoich so needs adjusting properly to avoid big problems.
What is the new stoich? Does it require a richer or leaner mix?
If someone put 10% meth mix into their tank without mapping for it would it do more harm than good?
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 10:14 PM
  #67  
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From my limited experience with oxygenated octane boosters you need to richen the mixture slightly to counteract , I am going to try Methanol on a very good customers car next year and have advised upgrading his SimTek to have the closed loop wideband control...
This will keep a watchful eye on the mixture and keep it at my predefined level should he go a bit overboard with the mix....
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 08:37 AM
  #68  
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Originally Posted by Optical
What is the new stoich? Does it require a richer or leaner mix?
If someone put 10% meth mix into their tank without mapping for it would it do more harm than good?
Vpower has 14.7:1 stoich (unlike tesco99 with its 5% ethanol) and methanol is 6.4:1 stoich

10 x 6.4 = 64
90 x 14.7 = 1323

(1323 + 64 )/100 = 13.87 stoich

The calorific value of methanol is also less than std fuel.

I have found that with my tests that it requires additional fueling to run the 10% mix - I probably wouldnt run it without mapping.
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 09:15 AM
  #69  
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Good thread this. AndyF - thanks for your reply above on my query. Like a couple of others on here, I'm seriously considering running V-power & 10% methanol (plus a dash of NF) and having it mapped accordingly, with a second map for normal super-unleaded. With the price of V-power as it is (and unlikely to fall in price) sounds like a win-win situation
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 03:45 PM
  #70  
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Originally Posted by lunar tick
Good thread this. AndyF - thanks for your reply above on my query. Like a couple of others on here, I'm seriously considering running V-power & 10% methanol (plus a dash of NF) and having it mapped accordingly, with a second map for normal super-unleaded. With the price of V-power as it is (and unlikely to fall in price) sounds like a win-win situation
Ditto! Which is why this thread was posted With sky rocketing prices us enthusiasts must keep one step ahead. Like yourself I'm considering V Power+ten percent Methanol and maybe with a bit of octane booster too.
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 04:26 PM
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I didnt realise the lower stoich on Tesco versus V Power, not sure how much it would be noticeable on a map - given I regularly use Tesco (closest to me and much cheaper than V Power) but sometimes fill up with V Power (I always found Optimax fuel to be variable quality in the older days)

I'm very interested to know, why we all are not using Toulene??, if its got a Ron/Mon = 114 and is denser than fuel. Methanol has some cooling properties? but as its 'thinner' you have to add more so if Methanol is virtually the same price why do we use Methanol at all?? - I was always told that Toulene was really nasty and to use Methanol instead - now I'm thinking I've made the wrong choice (car is mapped with 99 Tesco, plus 3 litres of Methanol plus full bottle of NF each fill up - I also have 50/50 water/Methanol injection)

Also if you use say 20% of Toulene is there any point in adding say a bottle of NF with each fill up - i.e. any point in adding anything, much better I'd have thought to stick with this

You cant easily shift from having one system to another - i.e. some days one mix another day another mix, unless you have a fuel tank in the boot where you can drain the mixture as you'll always have residual quantities of fuel types - and even if you take to the light and drive further you'll still have 5-8 litres of the stuff so its not as easy to change from one map to another - certainly not advisable unless you remap yourself and know what your doing!
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 05:16 PM
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The easiest way of measuring 10% Methanol is to use 2L lemonade bottles, I have found the "Liddle" one to be of the best shape to avoid spilliage.
I have been running 10% methanol for over a year now with no problems and have managed to get 370 BHP and 364 lbs-ft of torque (engine) from the VF35 (ported wastegate and exhaust housing) if I wernt selling the car I was planning to try get 400 out of the VF35 (a little birdie told me that he recons it might be able to be done )

Graeme
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 06:52 PM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by MartynJ
From my limited experience with oxygenated octane boosters you need to richen the mixture slightly to counteract , I am going to try Methanol on a very good customers car next year and have advised upgrading his SimTek to have the closed loop wideband control...
This will keep a watchful eye on the mixture and keep it at my predefined level should he go a bit overboard with the mix....

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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 07:25 PM
  #74  
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Oooh, that's a bit risky which sensor are you going to be relying on ?
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 07:56 PM
  #75  
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Andy
Can you answer my question re Toulene versus Methanol or has this been done to death on another thread?
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 08:16 PM
  #76  
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Hi Steve, where have you been hiding ? Or just lurking

Toluene is an ideal compliment to Methanol, its increased density and carbon content partially offsets the potential for lean running when adding Methanol alone.

The end result with regard to effective octane is similar to Meth plus a healthy dose of NF. It can be more cost effective to use M+T though.

Andy
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 10:09 PM
  #77  
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Andy
Constraints of Work/Life Balance unfortunately......... no Life it seems since about 2003!! - been travelling all over Europe so am usually too knackered and have no time for the car...... I do bump into old faces at track meets which is refreshing (and people that have move on from Scoobs to the likes of GT3's)

**** knows why I wasted my time at the odd rolling road - its far my fun being at as many track days as possible - even if you do destroy your car at places like Coombe - they should sort the approach to Quarry is lethal on upgraded suspension

I still have my old bangor........(I also bought a brand new Forester STI a couple of months ago - why there are so few of these on the roads I dont know - they are great (I dont like the 6 spd box though so am glad I opted for a 5 spd PPG on my sti5) I started tracking it about 9 months ago and found that I was going through a set of AP discs every month, destroyed the gearbox and the sti5 suspension at best was crap

I find that the car is still off road more than on it (I waited 6 weeks recently for AP to get me some discs (304mm). Then I had a fuel pipe sheer off at 170mph - that was bizarre and the car doesnt seem to have run correctly since (probably overheated a cylinder though the compression tests were fine) I also seem to go through spark plugs regularly (which I dont understand either - Denso Iridiums IK024)

I'm strongly considering an Evo9 as a tuning base rather than a Scoob in 2008 still thinking about it though - I just want something different. I've driven the GT3 and they simply are over-rated and overpriced and are not fast enough on track against a Scoob with over 400bhp (at least not a classic anyway)

Back to the Methonal/T - does that mean If I simply add T plus Methanol - say 10% each I can do away with NF (which at over £12 a bottle aint cheap)
Given I get enough bemusement when filling up with Methanol I think adding 10 litres at the station might start to annoy people unless I fill up really late/really early!! - what with how impatient people are in this country
I guess also at smaller amounts the % mixture can have some tolerable error whereas at 20% its getting to the point where differences in fill ups (depending on how much fuel goes in can really impact the map)

Just surprised no-one has ever said to me - use Toulene (I rememer Harvey used to put the stuff in years back)
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 11:21 PM
  #78  
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Originally Posted by Andy.F
Oooh, that's a bit risky which sensor are you going to be relying on ?
An NTK one Andy but it will be monitored and ignored if faulty ...
I will only be giving it the ability to make minor changes until I am happy it is working well and will be carrying out extensive testing ...
It is as mentioned more of a fall back incase the mix gets screwed up slightly...

Last edited by MartynJ; Dec 24, 2007 at 11:26 PM.
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Old Dec 25, 2007 | 10:43 PM
  #79  
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Im wondering with methanol does it tend to seperate after time ?

Say you had a five or ten % mix and left that fuel in the tank for say 2 weeks.

Would you get layering of the different fuels ?
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Old Dec 26, 2007 | 01:46 AM
  #80  
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What type of toluene to add into the tank? Can we just simply go to paint shop and buy a bottle cellulose toluene and add into the tank?


E85(biofuel) Powered Koenigsegg..

2007 Koenigsegg CCXR
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 07:27 AM
  #81  
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so would 2liters be 10% of my tank i was going to use tescos super and 10%methonal for when i get remapped next week i have a newage sti. is this right
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 07:35 AM
  #82  
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if your tank is 20 litres then 2 litres would be 10%

It isnt though, so aim for 5 litres of methanol in your 50 litre tank.
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 09:35 AM
  #83  
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and it's probably a good idea to put the methanol in *before* filling up, so that the mixture mixes well and also you don't end up in a situation where you accidentically overfill with petrol and can't fit enough methanol to make the mixture correct.
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 09:45 AM
  #84  
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Jennychem are quoting £27.50 per 25 litres of methanol but one of the posters in this thread (in S Wales) says he can get it for around 60p a litre. Does anyone know a cheaper source of methanol in the North East?
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 09:51 AM
  #85  
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If you buy 205 litres you can get cheaper
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 09:52 AM
  #86  
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interested to find a source in the south west.
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 10:55 AM
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Been following this thread recently as I'm interested in running a few tests with a basic mix myself.
Can anyone advise on whether the following would be suitable for our needs?

Clicky
Cliky

Cheers
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 12:17 PM
  #88  
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Originally Posted by Andy.F
The 'full 2 maps' option is also available on some of the original ECU's, soon to be expanded to the full 2.0 newage Sti range.
Andy
Any ideas of when this will happen?

Also, do the new mods mean we can get ALS (rather than Pops n' Bangs).
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 01:33 PM
  #89  
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I have requested that Gaz and its 'on the list' All their resource is currently directed at the new hatchback ECU as there are so many different versions around the world to work with.
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 02:06 PM
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just ordered my methnol from jennychem they do a 210l drum for £150 and that comes with a pump thats not bad . does any one know the best place to buy the nf octain booster
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