Redline Waterwetter- Extra horses for free

[dictys]

We had quite a discussion on the weekend on the UK Yahoo list.

The opinion is split as to wether it works or it is b*llocks, can you americans shed any light.

I've added waterwetter to my chargecooler system working on the notion that as it improves the efficeny of the coolant. This should then give colder air from my chargecooler and inturn the air will be more dense and therefore give me more power. I have yet to test the car due to the weather conditions. The mixture I used is 70% water / 30% antifreeze and the require amount of waterwetter.

here the link for the tech specs of the stuff:

www.redlineoil.com/redlineoil/wwti.htm

any comments?

[cnh1990]

It does not really give you more HP. A well working chargecooler does allow you to hold a higher boost level for a longer period of time.

Calvin

[dictys]

But if power and torque of an engine are directly proportional to the amount of air entering the combustion chamber if mixed with the right amount of fuel.

By lowering the charge air temperature with the charge cooler it results in a higher mass of air entering the combustion chamber. This will give an increase in power and torque.

right?

Rgds
Dictys 89 SE

[lotusguy]

Hi,

Your assertion is too simplistic. There's an old addage that "Air doesn't make Horsepower, Fuel does..."

The whole point to turbo charging is to better totally release the energy potential of the fuel being burned.

But, due to the effect that compressing a gas (air)generates heat (Adiabatic Heating = 12°F added to the charge temp/PSI), detonation of the charge can occur before the charge is fully compressed. This has the effect of releasing less energy from the fuel.

So, intercooling (chargecooling in Lotus parlance)was added to take away this adiabatic heating and raise the detonation threshold of the fuel. This allows more boost to be used, allowing for more energy release from the fuel.

Adding Waterwetter does increase the coolant's ability to carry away heat, but if the aluminum heat exchanger is already heat saturated (maximum capacity), it cannot impart more heat to this coolant in a given time period, so the point would be moot.

Also, cooling the charge increases it's density, but reduces it's pressure. If you aren't using a larger turbine, or altering the wastegate in some fashion, again much of the benefit is lost and more HP will not be produced.

There are so many variables, that they cannot all be taken into account without being measured directly.

If all the components are not operating at max capacity, you might find some small gain but cooling the charge, but unless you are increasing the airflow, or adding additional fuel, HP will most likely stay the same. Happy Motoring!...Jim'85TE

[cnh1990]

The actual boost is regulated by the ECU. Our cars will initally boost the same at full boost. Incoming temp will regulate how long this boost is held at the max boost the ECU is programmed for. So lets say the chargecooler is running a bit hot, the turbo spikes to full boost and then the temp sensor determines a hot condition, depending on how hot the incoming boost is it will limit the time it spends at full boost and will drop the threshold of allowable boost. If the chargecooler is is cool it will allow you more time at full boost. hot or cold 12lbs of boost is still 12 lbs. of boost. Fuel is mixed after the boost and the temp sensor has helped calculated the air/fuel mix. The wastegate will bleed off what it perceives as an overboost condition. We had a similar talk of boost as in terms of actual elevation effects on the fuel/turbo system.

So while a cool chargecooler will allow you to spend more time at max HP it does not give you any additional HP. It is still a good thing. Many times you do not need much more than a few seconds of max HP to achieve what is desired, but sometimes you do need or desire prolonged access to this max HP.

Calvin

>> Edited by cnh1990 on Monday 24th November 19:22

[GreenV8S]

cnh1990 said:

hot or cold 12lbs of boost is still 12 lbs. of boost.

Sorry, I haven't been following the whole thread so this may have been covered already, but boost pressure does not equate directly to power. The power is actually determined by charge density, assuming the engine management system is healthy. The hotter the charge is, the less density you have for the same pressure and so the less power you get. (There is also a related problem that the detonation limit is reached sooner when the charge is hotter.)

[dictys]

Thanks guys,

Helpful as always, well I run with the stuff as it can't do any harm and see how it goes.

Rgds
Dictys 89 SE