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Snow Performance's Stage 3 Methanol/Alcohol injection system delivers additional performance from a turbo diesel engine.

Here´s a shocker. You can increase torque and horsepower by injecting a small mixture of water and methanol into your diesel truck´s intake system. The theory and function are not new, however, the technology to scientifically harness this form of power is nothing short of cutting edge.

Water/methanol injection was known to have been used by Germany during WWII on supercharged and turbocharged aircraft. In 1942 the German Luftwaffe increased the horsepower of the Focke-Wulf fighter aircraft from 1776 hp to 2240 hp using a 50/50 water/methanol injection system. Allies soon followed by fitting the P51 Mustang and other aircraft with similar systems.

After the war, commercial turboprop airplanes used water/methanol injection for use in hot take off and high altitude situations. Water/methanol injection systems have been embraced by numerous Race applications including the diesel drags where the track record has been broken twice (currently 7.98 seconds for the 1/4 mile) by two different vehicles, both using the Boost Cooler water/methanol injection system by Snow Performance .

 

Designed as a chemical intercooler for turbo-diesel applications creating increased air density and power, the Snow Performance New Stage-3 Water/Methanol Injection System , Boost Cooler Stage-2 Diesel and stage 1 also conditions combustion so more fuel and boost can be safely utilized. Methanol acts as an additional fuel source and water cools combustion as evidenced by cooler (EGT) exhaust gas temperatures. The key is injecting atomized water/methanol at over 200psi through a nozzle that supersonically spins the fluid before forcing it through a venture-shaped orifice for unparalleled cooling and power.

For diesel applications, Snow Performance offers the Boost Cooler in three systems. Stage 1 is designed for towing/power and cooler EGTs for 450hp/35 PSI boost applications.


Boost Cooler Stage-2 Diesel is for applications where the power and boost exceed 450 hp/35 PSI. The latest offering is the Snow Performance New Stage-3 Water/Methanol Injection System which features a new Digital Variable Controller with a 2D MAP programmed into the microprocessor which analyzes boost and exhaust gas temps to regulate the injection mixture for maximum power gains without the possibility of combustion quenching.

Installation isn´t complicated and easily performed by a qualified mechanic in four to five hours, provided all tools are at hand. And as you will see from our install, the results are immediate!
 

Access is required to the exhaust header and windshield washer reservoir, so the inner fender panel must be removed from the passenger side of a Ford diesel truck for this install.	Key component to this water/methanol injection system is the windshield washer bottle. An option is to install a Snow Performance bottle, but we opted to use the stock Ford unit.	The stock Ford windshield washer reservoir must hold about 6 quarts of fluid, and is now accessible with the inner fender removed.	A plastic line is supplied in the kit, which will require that a hole be drilled through the bottom of the washer reservoir. Then, this line will be dropped down through the tank and sealed. This will be the feed to the water/methanol injection pump.
Few sealants will work with methanol, but one that does and Snow Performance recommends, is this product from Goop.	A liberal amount of Goop sealant is applied all the way around this fitting to ensure there are no fluid leaks from the bottom of the tank.	Next, we are going to drill and tap a hole into the right side engine exhaust manifold which will give the module access to exhaust gas temperatures. A tip for this process is to do it with the engine running which will blow metal chips away from the manifold.	The drilled hole is then threaded using a tap. Two tips for this process is to oil the tap and again, have the engine running so as to blow any metal chips away from the work, and not into the manifold.
A major step in the installation is now complete with the mounting of the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) probe in a pre-turbo location. Once the inner fender is installed, this is hidden from view.	Refer to the installation instructions for the wiring sequence of the EGT probe to the control module, as shown.	A 12-volt, high pressure pump is used to deliver the water/methanol fluid to the nozzles at very high pressure. Next step is to plumb the 90-degree fittings and wire the pump.	Ford trucks provide an open area behind the passenger side battery which is ideal for mounting the pump. Attach the bottom line to the pump before mounting.
It is a good idea to mark the metal air inlet tube to indicate where the nozzles will be installed, 90-degrees to the direction of airflow. The tube is then removed from the truck, and drilled with an 11/32 bit.	The air inlet tube holes are threaded using a 1/8-27 NPT tap. Clean and remove all metal shavings!	Both the pump pressure and nozzle selection play a major role in horsepower and torque gains. Our kit called for one large, and one small nozzle, as you can see.	The selected atomizers threads are then Gooped with sealant, and installed. Key is to have the fittings snug, but not over tight!
The proper installation of the atomizers is to ensure they are flush mounted, and do not intrude into the air inlet as to inhibit air flow.	Back to the pump, the feed line from the bottom of the reservoir to the pump is measured and cut to length. Once a check valve (to prevent fluid from returning to the tank) is installed, the line is attached to the pump, noting the direction of flow.	Using all of the left over line, the high pressure line from the pump was attached to the two nozzles, using a T-fitting to feed both.	This shot was taken of the nozzle spray test. As you can see, they both function properly supplying a torrent of water/methanol!
Snow Performance markets Boost Juice, a formula made up of 49% methanol, 51% water and it works as a washer fluid as well as a performance injection boost!	Wiring for the pump, a pressure line and EGT wiring are then fed across the rear of the engine, being sure to avoid hot manifolds.	The control module and �armed switch� are mounted to the dash. Snow Performance states that you save hundreds of dollars on otherwise expensive gauges, all replaced by this module!	Except for the pump and feed lines to the nozzles, the kit becomes invisible to the eye, once everything is protected by corrugated wire loom and tie wraps.
This truck has previously been fit with an electronic ignition control device, larger exhaust and a custom air intake, which had already enhanced power beyond stock; however, we were still able to gain power with the addition of Snow Performance�s Boost Cooler system as proven by dyno tests.	With the truck�s ignition module set in tow mode, this Ford turbo diesel still produced a 50.4 horsepower gain! More dramatic gains would have been achieved with an installation onto a stock truck. Check Snow Performance�s website for details on gas and other diesel applications.