methanol or fuel?

Jason Robertson · 04-30-2011, 10:19 PM

I always assumed most of you guys ran methanol in your s/c diggers. while i was at the track today i noticed and smelled that almost all the s/c cars were running the oxygenated race fuel. i was planning on running methanol but now thinking otherwise. methanol makes more torque, cools well, less responsive to da changes, yet no one was running it really. is it a methanol engine maintenence issue? please clue me in, sorry for the newb question.

Chris Williams · 05-01-2011, 12:00 AM

FWIW, I don't know anyone who runs on methanol.

Tom Goldman · 05-01-2011, 12:14 AM

Alcohol is for drinking!
Only a handfull of SG cars in D1 run methanol, mabe a few more in SC.
Big inch .90 type motors dont seem to benefit as much from alcohol as do smaller motors, unless you run injection.
A few racers are running Q16,but most are still running well with conventional racing gas.
Last years top 4 in D1 SG, #1 reg race gas, # 2 oxygenate fuel,#3 methanol ,#4 reg race gas.

THE LEGEND · 05-01-2011, 10:55 AM

I run Alky. $130 for 55 gallons. Dragster uses 1.5 gallons 1/4 mile almost a gallon in the 1/8th. Camaro uses little over a half in the 1/4 and a little under a half in the 1/8th.
I change the oil at around 100 passes.
Don't be scared of alky.
A few suggestions would be.
Call George Rupert and buy the entire setup including the Belt drive pump.
Call Biondo and order a T-stop. I use the plate on both cars.
Chip Johnson

Bill Baer · 05-01-2011, 07:34 PM

[QUOTE=THE LEGEND;256071]I run Alky. $130 for 55 gallons. Dragster uses 1.5 gallons 1/4 mile almost a gallon in the 1/8th. Camaro uses little over a half in the 1/4 and a little under a half in the 1/8th.
I change the oil at around 100 passes.Don't be scared of alky.

I too run alky like the Legend said it's cheaper and more consistent I run a Rons fuel injection (A terminator) with a highspeed lean out.I also run a top oil with grape scent since it smells kinda nasty. I have a gas primer system, block and oil heaters to help with cold starts and quicker warm ups. I also run a vacuum pump.
Tips: Keep the fuel tank full so the pump stays submerged, it doesn't color the plugs so trust the ET/MPH, if you go the F.I route you need to use an inline stop. with the F.I.It's a little harder to start than a carb but the trottle response is instantaneous.

JJ3159 · 05-02-2011, 02:28 PM

i run allky never had a maintence issue ,like the way it runs ,legend said rupert (very good) i also run a quick fuel alcohol carb

Jason Robertson · 05-03-2011, 12:47 AM

im looking at running a dart pro 1 345 cc 496 bbc(not too big by todays standards) should make 800ish on fuel. i may just go with fuel since the system is already set up for it. the pump is a magnafuel 275 and is suppose to be alcohol compatable. everyone i talked with that ran methanol was running a belt driven pump with a bleed off valve. may just play the cards im dealt with as ive heard that you can run into over rich issues at idle with an electric pump.

Tweaker · 05-03-2011, 01:49 PM

almost everyone runs methanol at my track in FL.

I'm running it in my dragster too!

Barney B · 05-03-2011, 04:12 PM

I just swith this year from alky to gas. I think that gas is more predictable throttle stop racing but that is JMO.

BB

Rich Biebel · 05-03-2011, 06:06 PM

I've run gas carbs including a DaVinci and a Stinnett and had one carb converted to alcohol by APD. I've also run Ron's alcohol Terminator injection......I prefer alcohol over gas and have no trouble running it. I also have no trouble t-stopping the injection and had very good success running that for a year or two. One win and one semis at Lucas races in less than a year and not racing nearly as much as many.

There is a learning curve with alcohol but it's not hard usually.

My present car was run on gas and alcohol with a carb and the same pump and regulator......Aeromotive A-2000 and a big 2 port MagnaFuel regulator dead headed. Was not deadly as it should have been but still pretty good. A belt pump with the alcohol carb is the preferred setup along with a return style regulator....

If I had a big motor I'd probably run a carb and still prefer alcohol for the cooler running in the summer. Would definately go to the belt pump with a big cube engine...

In cooler (50 or under) or damp condtions alcohol can throw you a curve....in hot weather it's the best and the hotter it is out the better....

I am running a 509 and am back to a Ron's Terminator. I am planning on doing a little t-stop racing but primarily bracket racing locally....I'll take my lumps in S/C probably but if I hit a setup right maybe I can rack up some W's......Alcohol.....runs cool....repeats very well and injection has throttle response way better than any carb.....

I took delivery of 4 drums of alcohol today.....

05-01-2011, 12:00 AM	#2
Chris Williams Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 401 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: methanol or fuel? FWIW, I don't know anyone who runs on methanol. __________________ Chris Williams 6304 SC, TD, ET

05-01-2011, 07:34 PM	#5
Bill Baer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nothern IL Posts: 596 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: methanol or fuel? [QUOTE=THE LEGEND;256071]I run Alky. $130 for 55 gallons. Dragster uses 1.5 gallons 1/4 mile almost a gallon in the 1/8th. Camaro uses little over a half in the 1/4 and a little under a half in the 1/8th. I change the oil at around 100 passes.Don't be scared of alky. I too run alky like the Legend said it's cheaper and more consistent I run a Rons fuel injection (A terminator) with a highspeed lean out.I also run a top oil with grape scent since it smells kinda nasty. I have a gas primer system, block and oil heaters to help with cold starts and quicker warm ups. I also run a vacuum pump. Tips: Keep the fuel tank full so the pump stays submerged, it doesn't color the plugs so trust the ET/MPH, if you go the F.I route you need to use an inline stop. with the F.I.It's a little harder to start than a carb but the trottle response is instantaneous. __________________ Bill Baer 3391 SC, 339B SC, QR Last edited by Bill Baer; 05-01-2011 at 07:39 PM.

05-02-2011, 02:28 PM	#6
JJ3159 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: WEST SENECA N.Y. Posts: 140 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: methanol or fuel? i run allky never had a maintence issue ,like the way it runs ,legend said rupert (very good) i also run a quick fuel alcohol carb __________________ jj h/r 1399 s/r 1399 s/g 1399

05-03-2011, 12:47 AM	#7
Jason Robertson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lake Jackson, Tx Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: methanol or fuel? im looking at running a dart pro 1 345 cc 496 bbc(not too big by todays standards) should make 800ish on fuel. i may just go with fuel since the system is already set up for it. the pump is a magnafuel 275 and is suppose to be alcohol compatable. everyone i talked with that ran methanol was running a belt driven pump with a bleed off valve. may just play the cards im dealt with as ive heard that you can run into over rich issues at idle with an electric pump.

05-03-2011, 01:49 PM	#8
Tweaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 59 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: methanol or fuel? almost everyone runs methanol at my track in FL. I'm running it in my dragster too! __________________ IHRA #2X41 http://khracing.projectrhyme.com

04-30-2011, 10:19 PM	#1
Jason Robertson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lake Jackson, Tx Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	methanol or fuel? I always assumed most of you guys ran methanol in your s/c diggers. while i was at the track today i noticed and smelled that almost all the s/c cars were running the oxygenated race fuel. i was planning on running methanol but now thinking otherwise. methanol makes more torque, cools well, less responsive to da changes, yet no one was running it really. is it a methanol engine maintenence issue? please clue me in, sorry for the newb question.

05-01-2011, 12:14 AM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,436 Likes: 776 Liked 700 Times in 204 Posts	Re: methanol or fuel? Alcohol is for drinking! Only a handfull of SG cars in D1 run methanol, mabe a few more in SC. Big inch .90 type motors dont seem to benefit as much from alcohol as do smaller motors, unless you run injection. A few racers are running Q16,but most are still running well with conventional racing gas. Last years top 4 in D1 SG, #1 reg race gas, # 2 oxygenate fuel,#3 methanol ,#4 reg race gas. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

05-01-2011, 10:55 AM	#4
THE LEGEND VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fayetteville, n.c. Posts: 1,411 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: methanol or fuel? I run Alky. $130 for 55 gallons. Dragster uses 1.5 gallons 1/4 mile almost a gallon in the 1/8th. Camaro uses little over a half in the 1/4 and a little under a half in the 1/8th. I change the oil at around 100 passes. Don't be scared of alky. A few suggestions would be. Call George Rupert and buy the entire setup including the Belt drive pump. Call Biondo and order a T-stop. I use the plate on both cars. Chip Johnson

05-03-2011, 04:12 PM	#9
Barney B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wadsworth, Ohio Posts: 510 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: methanol or fuel? I just swith this year from alky to gas. I think that gas is more predictable throttle stop racing but that is JMO. BB

05-03-2011, 06:06 PM	#10
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,275 Likes: 25 Liked 510 Times in 200 Posts	Re: methanol or fuel? I've run gas carbs including a DaVinci and a Stinnett and had one carb converted to alcohol by APD. I've also run Ron's alcohol Terminator injection......I prefer alcohol over gas and have no trouble running it. I also have no trouble t-stopping the injection and had very good success running that for a year or two. One win and one semis at Lucas races in less than a year and not racing nearly as much as many. There is a learning curve with alcohol but it's not hard usually. My present car was run on gas and alcohol with a carb and the same pump and regulator......Aeromotive A-2000 and a big 2 port MagnaFuel regulator dead headed. Was not deadly as it should have been but still pretty good. A belt pump with the alcohol carb is the preferred setup along with a return style regulator.... If I had a big motor I'd probably run a carb and still prefer alcohol for the cooler running in the summer. Would definately go to the belt pump with a big cube engine... In cooler (50 or under) or damp condtions alcohol can throw you a curve....in hot weather it's the best and the hotter it is out the better.... I am running a 509 and am back to a Ron's Terminator. I am planning on doing a little t-stop racing but primarily bracket racing locally....I'll take my lumps in S/C probably but if I hit a setup right maybe I can rack up some W's......Alcohol.....runs cool....repeats very well and injection has throttle response way better than any carb..... I took delivery of 4 drums of alcohol today..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Last edited by Rich Biebel; 05-03-2011 at 06:13 PM.