Any one try water injection?

Hey guys...
I asked about F134 gas milage a while back, and I just remembered a trick they used way back when to improve milage (and power if you bump up the compression)--water injection. Anyone here ever install a setup on your Jeep? Results? I haven't heard anything about it in a long time.
Curious...

 

I have it on one of my Jeeps right now, but it doesn't run right. Most call it a blown head gasket instead of water injection though.









Seriously though, I would like to hear more about what you are talking about. I like learning new tricks on these things.

 

I also have heard of this but never delved into the subject. All I know is that when it rains, my old chevy seems to pick up on the power.

 

ROFL!! That's too funny. But yea, I'm thinking about a system that leaves out the glycol, and uses a little less water .

 

Let me know if you find any tech about it. I might not end up doing it, but it would be something interesting to learn about.

On a side note, I know a guy here in town that is working on a car that is powered completely by water. He says his brother built one in FL, and sent him the plans. I don't know what all he is doing to build this, but I keep looking at the sky in the direction of his house waiting to see the gigantic explosion. He's one of those type of fellers.

I gave him a good deal on some parts though, so if he gets it to work he said he will show me how to do it.

 

Did the words "Cold Fusion" ever enter the converstaion?

 

I'm wondering as to "what parts" you sold him, if you're looking to the sky for this big BOOOOMMMMM.R)

 

There were a lot of words like that in there, but I tried to forget most of them. I like the feller, but picture Doc from Back To The Future. His knowledge is way beyond my comprehension.

 

Mainly some stainless steel pipe fittings and some valves. He didn't get any caps to go on the nipples he got, so I figured he wasn't a terrorist. But he does seem like the kinda feller that might end up blowing himself up one day.

 

I just found a forum that has some water injection info...

http://www.mpgresearch.info/viewforum.php?f=5&sid=d60a3b454a5936f746bc9ab11cfa062f

And here is a British company that sells complete systems. Looks like big $$ http://www.aquamist.co.uk/

I would never buy one though...I'd rather much rather build one.

 

Unless I am taught different, I mostly see this set up on turbo or super charged vehicles?:? http://www.rallycars.com/Cars/WaterInjection.html

Can this be done on a carbureted vehicle, and be beneficial?

 

Wow, thanks for the link. I'm gonna really have to do some reading through there when I'm not at work. From what I have read so far, there seems to be a ton of benefits from running this set up. Sounds sorta kinda like nitrous, but not really and not as bad on the engine. I loves me some nitrous.

 

From what I understand, it will help any gas engine (no clue on diesel). It lowers combustion temps (the conversion of water to steam absorbs heat) and essentially raises the octane of the fuel so you can run higher compression (probably why you see it on forced induction engines) or run a lower octane fuel without knocking. You can also advance your timing quite a bit more. You can also run a leaner A/F mixture without overheating/detonating. It's also supposed to help boost your fuel milage and power because as the water turns to steam it expands, producing higher cylinder pressures...thus more power per cycle for the same ammount of fuel. At least that's the short answer. Maybe someone here has a better/more scientific explanation.

A carbureted engine would probably be easier to try this on than EFI, since you won't have to re-calibrate any computer settings or anything. I remember reading about water injection being tried on 50's hot rods...

 

Thanx for the info. I can see it used in carbed or injected vehicles, but I wonder if the O2 sensor will pick up a lean mixture code and the ECM will try to adjust/compensate?

 

I would think you might be able to unplug the o2 sensors like we did on my buddy's Mustang so he could run it richer for the nitrous. Don't know though.

 

I was wondering about that too...Probably not a problem if you know how to reprogram your EEPROM . If you run a TPI setup, it's not that hard...I'm not familiar with any other systems. Either way, I think it would take a lot more experimentation with FI than with a carb. Carb seems like it would be pretty easy (compared to FI anyway).

 

But by unplugging the O2 sensor will send the computer into default, back-up or "limp" mode. When the o@ is pluggeg in, along with all the other sensors, the ECM is operationg in a "closed loop". I vote for calibrating the ECM, I wonder if there are any companies out there who calibrate the chip for this modification?

 

Water injection has been around for more than 70 years. It was done on airplanes during WWII for emergency power. Edelbrock made a complete unit back in the late 70's and early 80's. I ran water injection on my old Duster. Anytime you cool the air with water it makes the air charge denser, one of the reasons it makes power besides the octane and advanced timing. It does work it is not snake oil. You can run glycol alchohol with the water mix to help also. it works on any engine but the higher the compression the better it works!!

 

I have a buddy who's currently tuning AMA dirt track bikes on the side who's had experience with this. I believe he ran it on his falcon and then 4cyl pinto way-back when. A lot of the racers did it so they could run really high compression and pump gas.

 

We used to spray water onto our intercoolers in order to cool them more back in the day. IIRC one of the guys we ran with was building a water injection system. I got out of the Honda circle before he was finished.