Vivian Marlowe
The Alky Control Progressive alcohol injection system, also known as the Alky Control Razor kit, was designed for the 1986-87 Buick Grand National. The kit includes a factory overflow tank that has been modified into an alky tank, a pump, a low alky sensor, and a methanol filter. The system allows for 26 PSI boost on pump gas with no knock. The use of methanol injection in the Buick Grand National has been a popular topic among car enthusiasts, with many debating the benefits and drawbacks of alcohol injection versus race gas or pump gas. Some claim that alcohol injection provides more power and protects the engine from destructive detonation, while others discuss the potential for higher combustion chamber temperatures and the need for retuning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Injection Kit | Alky Control Proressive alcohol injection system |
| Year | 1986-87 |
| Brand | AlkyControl "Razor" |
| Components | Factory overflow tank, new overflow, full progressive control system, controller, low alky light |
| Boost | 26 PSI |
| Fuel | Methanol |
| Benefits | Cheaper than race gas, no need to replace O2 sensors |
| Pump Speed | Preset to 60 PSI, adjustable to over 100 PSI |
| Turn-on Point | Between 10 and 15#s of boost |
| Lubricant | Not necessary with Sureflo pump |
| Power Advantage | Ability to run higher boost and more timing |
| Knock Suppression | Yes |
| Octane Level | Raised |
| Engine Temperature | Lower |
| Steam Cleaning | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The Alky Control Progressive alcohol injection system for the Buick Grand National
The Alky Control Progressive alcohol injection system is a custom-designed kit that can be bolted into your Buick Grand National. The kit includes a factory overflow tank that has been custom-modified into an alky tank, a new overflow, a pump, a GN line kit, an M15 nozzle, a low alcohol sensor, and a methanol filter. The system also incorporates a full progressive control system that adds the alky as the boost comes up, allowing you to run 26 PSI boost on pump gas with no knock.
One of the benefits of the Alky Control system is that methanol is much cheaper than race gas, and you won't need to constantly replace O2 sensors that can be destroyed by leaded fuel. The controller for the system is small and easy to hide in your car, and it also has a low alky light so you know when to reload.
The Alky Control kit is designed for 100% methanol and provides significant gains over other kits. It includes specifically made hoses, tanks, wiring, and instructions. The kit also comes with a new cover to keep water out of the motor and a low-level LED that goes in the "Low Fuel" slot of the dash.
Some users have reported positive experiences with the Alky Control system, saying that they have had no issues with knock and have saved money on sensors and fuel. However, others have reported issues with head gaskets and extreme cylinder pressure when using alcohol injection. It is important to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of any alcohol injection system before installation.
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The benefits of an alcohol injection system
The Alky Control Progressive alcohol injection system is a custom-designed kit for the Buick Grand National. It comes with a factory overflow tank that has been modified into an alky tank, as well as a new overflow. The kit includes a full progressive control system that adds the alky as the boost comes up.
Additionally, water/methanol injection can increase horsepower/torque output by 10 to 15 percent with proper tuning. It also helps dissolve carbon buildup, keeping spark plugs, valves, and combustion chambers clean. Water/methanol injection can be used in turbocharged cars and naturally aspirated cars. It enables cars to run with the same air/fuel ratios as pump gas tunes but with less fuel added to the engine management software.
Some users have also reported that alcohol injection systems have helped them avoid knocking issues at high PSI levels.
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The downsides of an alcohol injection system
The Buick Grand National is a car that some owners have installed an aftermarket alcohol injection system in. These systems are designed to increase the power output of the engine. While these systems can be effective, there are several downsides to their use.
One of the main downsides of an alcohol injection system is the potential for rust. While companies have worked to minimise this, the mist spread by the system can cause uncoated areas of the car to rust. This can be avoided by including additives in the water/methanol mixture, but this adds to the cost and complexity of the system.
Another issue is that if the vehicle is set up to require water to cool off, and the water runs out, the engine components may be damaged by the heat. This can be mitigated by using a mixture of water and alcohol, but this adds to the cost of the system and reduces its effectiveness.
A further problem is that if the mixture is injected into the intake right before the valves, there may not be enough time for the liquid to extract heat from the charged air. This can result in a higher exhaust gas temperature, which can be damaging to the engine.
In addition, water injection systems can be complex to install and use. They require careful tuning to take advantage of the benefits they provide. If this isn't done properly, the system may not work as intended and could even negatively affect the engine's performance.
Finally, while methanol is much cheaper than race gas, the fuel for these systems is still a consumable cost that must be considered. While mixtures such as M100 methanol and distilled water can reduce this cost, it is still an ongoing expense that other systems may not incur.
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Methanol vs. race gas
The Alky Control Progressive alcohol injection system is a custom-designed kit for the Buick Grand National. It comes with a factory overflow tank modified into an alky tank, a new overflow, and a full progressive control system that adds the alky as the boost comes up. The controller is small and easy to hide, and it also has a low alky light so you know when to reload. This system allows users to run 26 PSI boost on pump gas with no knock.
Methanol has been a preferred fuel for race car drivers and teams for decades. It is much cheaper than race gas, and users do not need to constantly replace O2 sensors that are destroyed by leaded fuel. It also burns cleaner than gasoline, is less flammable, and burns "cooler". Methanol has less energy content than regular gasoline, so vehicles get about half the mpg out of the fuel. However, it has a higher octane, and race car engines are built to squeeze more power out of that less-energy-dense methanol by adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio.
In a gasoline engine, an air-to-fuel ratio of roughly 12.5:1 (12.5 parts air to 1 part fuel) is about right for maximum engine power. In the case of methanol, an air-to-fuel ratio of 4:1 (4 parts air to 1 part fuel) is considered slightly on the rich side, but will allow the engine to make its maximum power. While gasoline has a higher energy density (about 18,400 BTU/pound) than methanol (9,500 BTU/pound), burning three times more methanol than gasoline per power stroke can make more power.
For example, an engine that flows 1,000 cfm of air (about 70 pounds worth) will consume about 5.6 pounds of fuel based on its 12.5:1 max power ratio, giving a total energy output of 103,040 BTUs of energy. Using methanol, the same engine will burn 17.5 pounds of fuel, giving a total energy output of 166,250 BTUs of energy—that’s a 60 percent greater energy output. Methanol is also better at conserving heat inside an engine.
However, there are some drawbacks to using methanol. It is heavier than race gas, so using methanol will increase the weight of the vehicle. It is also an oxygenate, meaning it requires more volume. Additionally, while gasoline offers a fairly narrow tuning window, methanol can handle a much wider range of air-fuel ratios without losing power.
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DIY alcohol injection kits
The Alky Control Progressive alcohol injection system, also known as the AlkyControl "Razor" Alcohol Injection Kit, is a custom-designed kit that bolts into your Turbo Buick. It comes with a factory overflow tank that is custom-modified into an alky tank, as well as a new overflow. The kit incorporates a full progressive control system that adds the alky as the boost comes up. The controller is small and can be easily hidden in your car. It also has a low alky light, which lets you know when to reload. With this kit, you can run 26 PSI boost on pump gas with no knock. Methanol is much cheaper than race gas, and you won't have to constantly replace O2 sensors that are destroyed by leaded fuel.
The complete kit includes a pump, GN line kit, overflow with a cap, an M15 nozzle, a low alcohol sensor, and a methanol filter. A twin nozzle upgrade is available for higher power applications. The production lead time is 7-10 days.
There are various opinions on alcohol injection in Buick Grand Nationals. Some people argue that it is a great way to save money and increase performance, while others believe it is better to set up the car to run without it. Some users have reported issues with head gaskets and extreme cylinder pressure when using alcohol injection.
When considering a DIY alcohol injection kit, it is important to determine the correct nozzle size for your specific application. Factors such as compression, intake temp, and intercooler configuration can impact the amount of methanol required. It is recommended to establish a baseline meth/petrol ratio to understand exactly how much methanol is being used.
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Frequently asked questions
This is a custom-designed kit that bolts into your car. It comes with a factory overflow tank that is custom-modified into an alky tank, a new overflow, and a full progressive control system that adds the alky as the boost comes up.
The alcohol injection system can increase power, protect the engine from destructive detonation, suppress knock, raise the octane level, lower temperatures, and provide a steam-cleaning effect on the engine.
Denatured alcohol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol can be used in the alcohol injection system. Some people also mix in distilled water with the alcohol.
