Is anybody here running 100% methanol or similar in their engines? I was wondering what systems would have to be modified for a F-body. I plan on testing it out on a stock as possible car before I decide on building up a complete motor for it.

Any ideas on setups for the engine build?

 

I was always under the impression that an engine couldnt run alchol unless specificly built for it. I didnt think you could just dump some in that tank.

 

There are many things that would make a conversion difficult and some things that make it very impractical. To start with, methanol is quite toxic. Second, it is corrosive to many of the plastic and other non-metal engine components used as seals and gaskets. Aluminum and magnesium are two of the metals that aren't compatible, there may be others. That's why people who run alcohol in their race cars have to flush the entire fuel system after each meet. It also stinks and forms formalehyde during combustion (especially startup) which stinks and is quite irritating. It also avidly absorbs water, which causes storage problems.

To make power with methanol you need a very high compression ratio and/or lots of boost. You will also need a fuel system that will flow ~2x as much as a gas fuel system because of methanols lower energy content.

It's a whole essay to discuss methanol as a fuel. Do a little research about it and you see some of the other difficulties.

Rich Krause

 

Well according to what I have read you can, as long as your fuel system and various seals that come in contact with the alcohol are compatible. You don't really need a higher compression/FI motor, but because its high octane content and the natural cooling ability it can be run in much higher compression engines and it's more efficent to do so, helping to offset the extra fuel needs.

Most of the information I have found is a little old, (early 80's) but I have found out about most of the negatives. I was looking for information about the f-body in particular, as it will most likely be the car I use.

 

It would require a completly new fuel system. First, the composition of the fuel lines and o-rings used would not last long. Secondly, you would need twice the volume which would require new injectors, fuel pump & lines. Even after you do that the fuel systems would need to be maintained since you still need to use rubber in some areas that would break down.

After you have converted over the fuel system you would be starting from scratch with the PCM programing. You would need to build completely new fuel/ignition maps. This is assuming that you do not convert over to a alcohol carb setup.

It can be done but it is not very pratical in a street car. You can't leave alcohol sitting in the fuel system for extended periods of time and the power increases are not significant enough to warrent the trouble IMHO.