Alky help

[JAMIEPACURN]

I've been doing some research on these razor alky kits and thinking about purchasing a system. Sure you can turn up the juice (boost) but can a stock buick engine be able to handle such power???? Any thoughts would be appreciated.


Jamie C.

[kenmosher]

I guess, it's more insurance than anything else. The stock build is pretty stout and all you are using alcohol for is a detonation suppressor (cooling via vaporization and a little bit of octane boost from the alcohol itself).

In fact, in most cases you'll make slightly less power using alcohol (because you need to use quite a bit in most cases) vs. race gas at the same boost levels.

In either case, if you turn the boost up to "11" (i.e. 25+ PSI) expect it to eventually find the weakest point of your build.

[JAMIEPACURN]

So what you are trying to tell me Ken is turn up the boost to 24#'s and everything will hold together. (Just joking) Thanks for the information. Guess it all boils down to the quality of components or lack thereof that will either make using alky system a success or failure.

[kenmosher]

Yup. It's a great bit of insurance (kind of a liquid intercooler) that can help overstressed intake components like undersized or heat soaked intercooler, inefficient compressor for the boost level, etc.

It can definitely be a "glue" that helps bring a combo together for operation that is at the edge of the combos efficiency range, whether that is fuel octane, turbo size, intercooler efficiency/capacity, etc.

If the combo is close to optimum, it can be that little "extra" to ensure things don't go boom when cranked all the way up.

[JAMIEPACURN]

Well I'm all about insurance as long as its not Geico. Makes sense as to why people use such a system. According to Jason Cramer from RJC Racing, he wouldn't own a turbo forced induction car without an alky system since it helps supress detonation. I wonder if a set of "wings" comes with this kit since your basically turning this car into a rocket. I'm currently running 17lbs of boost how much more power would 6 more pounds of boost give???

[Keller]

What is your combo? A stock turbo may not be so happy above 20-21 PSI.

Always need more fuel delivery for more boost.

I have run 25-27 PSI on a stock combo, but with larger turbos, larger injectors, high converter stall, improved intercooler, etc.