Boost Cooler Stage 3 NA EFI DST

Frequently asked questions

• Why turbo / naturally aspirated engine achieves more power with the Boost Cooler?
• Does the Boost Cooler cause any damage to my engine?
• Where can I mount my reservoir and pump?
• Which mixing ratio and what kind of water are used?
• How much range will a tank of Water/Methanol provide?
• Do I need to activate the Boost Cooler in some way?
• Where can I mount the nozzle?
• Do I need an intercooler with the Boost Cooler?

Why turbo / naturally aspirated engine achieves more power with the Boost Cooler?

The main problem of any internal combustion engine is the thermal load. In nearly all engines, the power is restricted by the temperature in the combustion chamber. If a certain temperature is exceeded, uncontrolled combustion ("knocking") occurs. Uncontrolled combustions results in a massive loss of power and engine damage. In a turbo engine, this problem is compounded even further. The intake of the turbo engine heats up strongly in the turbine (through compression and heat transfer of the exhaust gases) and the thermal limit is quickly reached. In conventional turbo engines, one tries to get this problem solved with the help of intercoolers.

The performance of a turbocharged engine is therefore directly dependent on the efficiency of the intercooler, as well as the cooling rate of the intake and charge air. The efficiency of intercoolers, however, is constrained by the ambient temperature and the maximum size of tight physical limits. An increase in boost pressure no longer produces more power and the damage to the engine is virtually inevitable. This issue can be solved using the Boost Cooler waterinjection concept. You can ensure additional cooling of the heated intake air through the injection of a water / alcohol mixture. The great advantage of the Boost Cooler is that the cooling is virtually unlimited in physical terms. That is, if the intake air is too hot, simply increase the injection volume to achieve the required cooling degree. This unique advantage can help fully exploit the capacity of turbo engines and the engine power is not restricted by the thermal limits.

Does the Boost Cooler cause any damage to my engine?

No. At a relative humidity of 50% and ambient temperature of 25° C, a turbocharged engine consumes (2.0 l displacement, 1 bar boost pressure) approx. 160 ml of water per minute. For example, if a gasoline engine is used, the combusted air / fuel mixture consists of approximately 50% of water vapour and carbon dioxide. With the injection of 250 ml/ min of water per minute at full load, the Boost Cooler accounts for less than 1.6% of the exhaust gases Horror scenarios ("water hammer", rusting motors, etc.) that some of you might have read on the Internet tuning forums are only based on a lack of understanding of the technical writer or improper systems.

Study of Porsche Engineering (excerpt): “The technology of water injection into the intake manifold provides significant potential. This technology can use a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in the entire operating area and an optimal ignition timing to increase the efficiency of the engine. In addition to a further reduction in fuel consumption, this effect also reduces the compression work so that the engine displacement can be further reduced."
Source: Porsche Engineering Magazine, Issue 01/2013

Where can I mount my reservoir and pump?

The pump needs to be within about 60cm (hose length) of the reservoir, and as low or lower than the base of the reservoir. It is a “pusher” pump, not a “puller” pump. In the engine bay, the reservoir and pump can be placed almost anywhere, as long as they are not very close to exhaust heat, or in the path of debris from the road. Be sure that the pump is mounted at the same level or below the reservoir and that the reservoir is not located higher than the nozzle. If the reservoir must be located higher than the nozzle, a solenoid upgrade is required to prevent gravity feed. Trunk mounting is also fine, but the pump needs to be close to the reservoir and gravity fed. Lengths of 6-7m of tubing to the nozzle are fine.

Which mixing ratio and what kind of water are used?

Use distilled or demineralised water only. Distilled water is available in any hardware store (about € 1.50 for 5 litres) or gas station. Of course you can also use clean tap water when nothing else is available at the moment. Use methanol or bio-ethanol (approx. 45 € per 30 litres, including shipping), or isopropanol. A 50/50 ratio is recommended. This has been demonstrated to be the best for charge/air cooling, excellent detonation control, and safety.

Do NOT use E85 or any other fluid with gasoline mixed in. It will destroy the fluid delivery part of your Boost Cooler and instantly void the warranty.

How much range will a tank of Water/Methanol provide?

This depends on a number of variables. HP, injection system, settings, driving style, etc. For most gasoline engines in the 200-250hp range, the standard 3l tank will last around a tank of gasoline when driving on the road. Diesels use more fluid than a gasoline application, and are in heavier load states more often. Due to the higher consumption of liquid in turbodiesels and/or powerful gasoline cars, we recommend at least our 9.5 l or 26.5 l trunk mounting kit as needed.

Where can I mount the nozzle?

The best placement of the nozzles is in the area around the inlet to the intake manifold or virtually anywhere on the pipe leading from the intercooler to the intake manifold. The nozzles can be placed at any position on the tube, so long as they are pointing at a 90 degree angle to the direction of airflow. The nozzles can be placed in a series or right next to each other.

There is enough heat and velocity and flow through the pipe under boost to absorb the water/methanol regardless of the nozzle positions relative to each other. Placement before the intercooler or turbo(s) is not recommended. Cooling is not improved. Never mount an injector nozzle before a turbocharger compressor. Studies performed by SAAB, concluded that pre-turbo injection will over time cause cavitation on the turbo wheel leading edges.

Do I need to activate the Boost Cooler in some way?

The Boost Cooler will activate automatically. Depending on the system, it activates after receiving a pre-set boost pressure or engine load signal, and then starts injecting in a load-dependent manner.

Do I need an intercooler with the Boost Cooler?

Up to approximately 2bar of boost, water/methanol injection (using 50% methanol) will provide all the density increase/detonation control needed in most applications. Of course, intercooling and water/methanol injection would provide even greater benefits, especially beyond 2bar of boost.

Most air-to-air intercoolers are only 50-65% efficient. For example, with 0.75 bar of boost and the resulting 50°C air charge temperature increase, an intercooler reduces the air charge temperature only 25 degrees. Also, an intercooler will reduce boost 0.1-0.25bar on average.