Boosting Performance Safely: A Deep Dive into AEM's Water/Methanol Injection Systems

Boosting Performance Safely: A Deep Dive into AEM's Water/Methanol Injection Systems

The AEM water/methanol injection system

Water/methanol injection for forced induction (turbocharged or supercharged) gas-powered race engines is a proven means for effectively reducing engine inlet air temperatures and suppressing harmful detonation. This allows racers to reliably increase boost and advance ignition timing—without using high-octane racing fuel—for power gains of up to 20%. AEM’s Water Injection Kits utilise robust hardware and deliver more advanced features than any other comparably priced water/methanol injection system.

AEM offers two different water/methanol controller designs for gas vehicles:
One is boost-dependent for forced induction vehicles up to 35 PSI of boost (kit PN 30-3300). The Boost Dependent controller has an onboard manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor with a moulded-in nipple for a boost hose pickup.

The second controller (Kit PN 30-3350) features a multiple-input design that enables users to install AEM’s Water/Methanol Injection Kit on ultra-high boost vehicles (above 35 PSI) using a 0-5v voltage-based external MAP sensor.

Reduces Air Inlet Charge Temps
The term “liquid inter-cooling” with water/methanol injection refers to a highly atomised mist of water/methanol that is injected into the airstream and begins to evaporate. As it does, this evaporative effect reduces air charge temps by as much as 100 degrees and delivers a more oxygen-rich air charge.

Reduces Detonation (Knock)
Water absorbs heat, and methanol is a cool burning, anti-knock rated fuel. When combined and introduced into the inlet stream, they can effectively increase your vehicle’s anti-knock index so you can reliably increase boost pressure and advance ignition timing using pump gas.

Reduces Carbon Deposits
Modern vehicles fitted with Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) devices for emissions control promote heavy carbon build-up inside the air intake. This carbon build-up can create ‘hot spots’ in the combustion chambers that can cause detonation. Water/methanol injection has a ‘steam cleaning’ effect that reduces this carbon build-up, and in some cases can increase fuel economy.

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