meth injection or intercooler?
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,259
From: Acworth, GA
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,645
From: Oregon
Meth in and of itself is a relatively safe "power adder" as you're getting both a cooling effect on the incoming air, and raising the octane level of your mixture. In fact, you can use it without bumping the timing as a way to make power adder #1 safer. Don't think of it like nitrous oxide.
The danger is in running a tune specifically for meth in which you advance your timing. You're essentially relying on your meth system, and if for some reason it stops flowing, or the flow deteriorates, you're still running that advanced timing.
The safest way to run it would be to rig up and MSD Box that would advance your timing outside of the tune, and use a good flow sensor as the trigger for the timing advance. Thus, when you lose meth flow, you also lose the timing advance. It would be a failsafe of sorts.
We run methanol injection on my Dad's 335i, however it is set up so that if meth flow above a certain threshold isn't detected, it reverts to it's non methanol map. We don't have such functionality.
Another thing to consider is using your windshield washer reservoir to hold the methanol and t-ing the pump into that line. The solution would still work great as a de-icer/cleaner, and that way when you're low, a light will kick on inside the car.
Between the two, I'd certainly run an intercooler first, as that is going to drop your IATs ALL the time.
If you're serious about running meth, do some research. Some of the meth kits out there simple drizzle or drop meth into the intake/charge pipes. However, there are kits out there that use nozzles that spray it like an injector, giving you much better atomization and distribution.
The danger is in running a tune specifically for meth in which you advance your timing. You're essentially relying on your meth system, and if for some reason it stops flowing, or the flow deteriorates, you're still running that advanced timing.
The safest way to run it would be to rig up and MSD Box that would advance your timing outside of the tune, and use a good flow sensor as the trigger for the timing advance. Thus, when you lose meth flow, you also lose the timing advance. It would be a failsafe of sorts.
We run methanol injection on my Dad's 335i, however it is set up so that if meth flow above a certain threshold isn't detected, it reverts to it's non methanol map. We don't have such functionality.
Another thing to consider is using your windshield washer reservoir to hold the methanol and t-ing the pump into that line. The solution would still work great as a de-icer/cleaner, and that way when you're low, a light will kick on inside the car.
Between the two, I'd certainly run an intercooler first, as that is going to drop your IATs ALL the time.
If you're serious about running meth, do some research. Some of the meth kits out there simple drizzle or drop meth into the intake/charge pipes. However, there are kits out there that use nozzles that spray it like an injector, giving you much better atomization and distribution.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 99
I went with the AEM 5 gallon meth kit
Only fill it up twice a year as a daily driver.
Lowers engine temps
i live in cali and it gets up to triple digits, even one days like this its like running on a cold day with zero heat soak. its like im always running a cool motor.
Since i have a blower i programmed it to squirt more with high boost defintely adds safe horsepower.
I reccomend the fail safe which reprograms the computer if it stops flowing or fails to run fine so you dont blow the motor.
check it out on aems website i love it
Only fill it up twice a year as a daily driver.
Lowers engine temps
i live in cali and it gets up to triple digits, even one days like this its like running on a cold day with zero heat soak. its like im always running a cool motor.
Since i have a blower i programmed it to squirt more with high boost defintely adds safe horsepower.
I reccomend the fail safe which reprograms the computer if it stops flowing or fails to run fine so you dont blow the motor.
check it out on aems website i love it
4th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,201
From: LA
We used meth injection as a successful way to greatly lower IATs at high boost (20+ lbs). Never considered it a power adder and with new build will install, but hopefully will not need to use it. Just one more thing that can go wrong down the 1/4.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,482
From: Texas