I know a stock engine can only take so much boost. 10 pounds from I understand is about the limit. If I go to a pulley that makes 9-10 pounds and add a meth injection kit
SEE:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

does that help with the engine handling that level of boost or does it just help make hp because of the lower air temps? I have an intercooler so, would the meth make a big difference? Would N2O do about the same as far as cooling and be worth even more hp? I figure I can spend the 200 on this meth kit or spend around 5 or 6 and get the N2O kit I've been eyeballing. Need help deciding what is the best route for me to go.

 

Also, what percentage is best? Meth and water that is. The more water the better on the pocket book!

 

I researched both meth/water/alky and nitrous. Here is what I discovered.

Water has the best cooling effect. Meth has the colling effect plus the octane. A mix can be used as well. The 3 types of injection are mainly used to cool the air going into the motor to prevent knock or detonation created from a hot charge of air. The higher octane of the meth also reduces the chance of detonation.

The amount of boost an engine can effectively run on depends on the temperature of the compressed charge, the static compression ratio, the strength of the bottom end, and the exhaust system. (just to name a few) There are also minitation within the power adder. When you start to overspin the radix with the 3.0 and smaller pulley, it starts to generate more heat and needs a better way to cool it. ie. meth injection

As far as a radix and a 5.3, I would not run over 10lbs. My experience with the 3.0 pulley I once had was that you better have the upgraded aluminum heat exchanger from Magnacharger or better, meth injection, and a great tune. I experienced a ton of knock and had to eventually go with a 3.25 pulley.

With the Radix, I would go with the upgraded heat exchanger or better(meaning larger/more cooling area), meth injection, and good flowing exhaust system (probably true duals with headers) with the 3.0 pulley (10lbs on a 5.3).

With nitrous, just be careful. 50 shot is the max i would go. If any nitrous puddles in the intake manifold, you MAY risk blowing the blower through the hood. I would run a 35 wet shot, and you would probably see a 50-60rwhp difference due to the cooling effect.

Nitrous is more expensive and short lived and harder on the engine. With meth injection, you are making the engine more effecient. Cooler IAT's, more timing, and reducing the risk of detonation will all make more safe power.

So here is a start. There will be many more responses.

 

All I want is around 9 pounds of boost and I want a way to cool the air so it is not so hard on the engine. I figure colder boost is worth more hp than hot boost. I just recently discovered meth injection. For 200 bucks it seems like a good deal. I just don't know a good meth system from a bad one. What is the mix of water to meth? 90/10? Will too much meth damage things? Will 100% water damage anything? I know somebody out there has a meth injection setup and can help.

 

10psi is not the limit on a stock engine.

I'm not sure we know what the limit really is. There are too many variables with boost to say definitively that a particular PSI is the limit.

 

I believe the reasoning for meth is that you can run more timing(=more power) without causing knock due to the cooling & octane effect of the meth injection.

I ordered the Snow GM MAF kit($) with low level switch last week. Don't know if it has been shipped yet. Haven't heard anything since receipt of order confirmation.

I thought around 50/50 was the ideal mixture. Pure methyl hydrate in the hardware store is $16/4L(1 US gal). So that would be $8/gal diluted 50/50. Windshield washer antifreeze is only $2/4L but doesn't say what % meth it is. Can get stuff good for -35C, -40C(=-40F), or -50C. I assume they increase the amount of meth to get better freeze protection. Any problem with using this stuff?

Does a larger external heat exchanger help the Radix intercooler that much? It is already much larger than the internal unit. My hoses always feel cool. Would have to put a temp sensor on them to see what happens during a run. I know the IAT goes up significantly. It usually settles around 25-30 degrees above ambient while cruising. Wonder how well the Radix intercooler will work at -30 or -40 degrees ambient. Might need a set of these:

 

You should try and find a better source for Meth. At our local speed shops it's only about $3.50-$4/ga.

For max octane most of use straight meth as it's easy since you dont have to worry about mixing it correctly. If you tune it hard and then mess up the formula then you can have catastophic problems.

 

Makes sense F8L. You need a reliable known methanol content. They say windshield washer fluid is OK in a pinch but the methanol content can vary from 35-90% and it can be blended with isopropyl in varying proportions. You should always run the same blend that you have tuned to.

 

Whatever you do, don't buy from SMC. The customer service is horrible. One guy, steve, who always says, "one week". kinda reminds me of the Tom Hanks movie "the money pit". lol.

I've been running 10lbs boost with no methanol for over a month now. "one week". Right!!!

 

Try alkycontrol.com,
a little expensive but great unit and Julio is great with custumer service and goes above and beyond. I think parish8 uses this system (1000 HP 1000 TQ) Not sure though, if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will chime in. I have my kit and will install next week, I will run 100% meth. I was told the Radix does not like water to be run through it, again If I'm wrong someone will let you know.
Meth at the speed way here is like 3.00 agal.
Mark