Methanol effects on braided line: alchycontrol and SMC kit

[Earl H]

I am doing my research on all of the methanol kits that are currently available (at least the top 3): SMC, Alchycontrol and Snow.

Its turning out to be an extremely difficult choice.

I like the simplicity (i.e. ease of installation - external mount configuration) and the bell and whistles (i.e. digital controls, adjustable turn on/ramp and volume controls, arm light, test button etc.) of the SMC kit. Good reputation amoung the buick and LS1 crowd alike.

The alchycontrol kit seems to have a great following and has great quality components. The only real drawback of this kit is that its not as "plug and play" as the other two: Snow and SMC.


I just called the guys at Snow. Simple and effective kit w/o the bells and whistles. Easy to insall. Good following amongst the Ls1 crowd. However, unlike the other two kit, it uses nylon lines vs. braided steel. I asked him about this and he said that the braided steel lines would degrade over time running methanol. This is the first that I've heard of this. Can anyone comment on this.

Wouldn't mind hearng the experiences of anyone out there running any of the kits listed above. Btw, the car is an '03Z06 w/a T76 GTS turbo. The car is currently making 650rwhp on pump gas. Has seen low 130mph passes in the quarter (street tires). I' m looking to see mid 700's on methanol and high 130mph/low 11 high 10 (on Michigan Pilot Sports) passes in the quarter.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Correcto!

I just called the guys at Snow. Simple and effective kit w/o the bells and whistles. Easy to insall. Good following amongst the Ls1 crowd. However, unlike the other two kit, it uses nylon lines vs. braided steel. I asked him about this and he said that the braided steel lines would degrade over time running methanol. This is the first that I've heard of this. Can anyone comment on this.

Using rubber lined, braided hose such as Earls, Areoquip, etc, with methanol, WILL degrade the hose liner. The liner will dry out, and the hose will get harder than the back of Superman's head!! Bend it tightly and the liner can crack....
My experience comes from using that hose on my FE rail on alky..
Ended up throwing it all away. The alky will also eat the insides out of the alum fittings. The anodized color in the fittings will disappear. This is an indication they are being attacked by the fluid....

 

[Razor]

Chuck.... who says anything about running aluminum fittings on regular hoses...

See the pressure hoses are "teflon" stainless braided. You can run acid through them. In other words my pressure hoses utilize no rubber parts.

My feed hose is made by XRP and designed for methanol. Its an impregnated hose.. which means the rubber has been specially treated for such use. So you get brass fittings instead of aluminum ones. There are hoses that are braided which cost 4 dollars a foot.. there are hoses look the same externally but cost 10.00 a foot.. the difference is in the rubber.

Now you can make all the lines 100% teflon on some vehicles, if the tank has a fitting.. the pump has a fitting.. then the appropriate hose can be mfg'd with pressed on fittings.

What I like are the quick disconnect fittings used with the plastic lines.. those are really cool..you push on them.. the hose comes rite off.. no problem.. hopefully vibration never plays a role when spraying at 100+ PSI.. or debris like a flying serpentine belt..

Earl, I think the point you miss is on a fixed point system your AFR's are gonna drop like a hammer when the system sprays early. So you build a system that all the parts used have no failures.. and the application of fluid serves its purpose.. if you can do this.. you will always succeed.

FWIW I've already done a few kits on the newer C5 style cars. Corvetteforums for info.

Lastly my system has been sitting in straight 100% methanol since April 03 no issue... No rotten fittings either

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Read it again!

"Chuck.... who says anything about running aluminum fittings on regular hoses..."

Suggest you re-read Earl's question.
He asked :"I just called the guys at Snow. Simple and effective kit w/o the bells and whistles. Easy to insall. Good following amongst the Ls1 crowd. However, unlike the other two kit, it uses nylon lines vs. braided steel. I asked him about this and he said that the braided steel lines would degrade over time running methanol. This is the first that I've heard of this. Can anyone comment on this."

I replied as to what I knew of using Aeroquip, Earls, w / methanol.
NO reference was made to your system and how/ why you use what you use in it.....

Have a nice day!!
BTW, the nylon push loc style hose and fittings work well. Aquamist uses them....

 

[Razor]

Yes under regular circumstances, regular braided hose will fail with alcohol. Guaranteed.

So you are correct.

Those pushlok fittings work great on my ice maker filter

No..you have a nice day..

Back to mouse hand training exercises

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Originally posted by Razor
Yes under regular circumstances, regular braided hose will fail with alcohol. Guaranteed.

So you are correct.

Those pushlok fittings work great on my ice maker filter

No..you have a nice day..

Back to mouse hand training exercises

Ice maker filter????
Does that mean the alky is OK to drink after it's filtered???

No.. U have a nice day!!