Water injection is used to suppress detonation and to safely allow much greater amounts of boost and/or compression ratios. When implemented correctly it provides benefits very similar to racing fuel. However, it costs pennies per gallon instead of the typical $5 or more. Furthermore, it allows the tuner to keep the boost turned up all week long instead of only at race weekends.
Water injection works in three ways. Firstly, when the fine mist is injected into the intake system (after the intercooler), the small droplets absorb heat from the intake air. Secondly, the tiny drops of water start to evaporate. It takes additional heat energy to sustain this evaporation so the intake charge is cooled further. Finally, the remaining droplets and steam reach the combustion chamber and smooth the combustion process. The super-heated steam also melts away carbon deposits and eliminates the glowing hot spots which lead to detonation.
Whether you're running huge boost, want to tame a nitrous oxide system, or are towing uphill through the desert, these systems allow for maximum power output while substantially increasing overall engine reliability.
A 50% proportion of methyl alcohol (methanol) is advised to provide the best compromise of detonation control and increased torque. Alcohol also removes heat faster than the water which enhances intercooling effects. System installation is straight forward and can be accomplished by anyone who can read a simple wiring diagram.
