Water Injection
Discussion
What are the general thoughts on water injection with turbo charged MX5's? Seems to be popular over the pond but I've not seen that many here using water or ethanol injection.
I'm thinking that with my plans to track the Mazda, and desire to remap from my 'safe' map to a more aggressive 240-250BHP, that it could be a good investment to allow safer hard use on track.
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One specific question; will a Link ECU G4 manage a water injection system? Obviously, this is a moot thread if it doesn't as I'm not willing to replace the ECU.
I'm thinking that with my plans to track the Mazda, and desire to remap from my 'safe' map to a more aggressive 240-250BHP, that it could be a good investment to allow safer hard use on track.
.
One specific question; will a Link ECU G4 manage a water injection system? Obviously, this is a moot thread if it doesn't as I'm not willing to replace the ECU.
Yes it is worth it. I don't have WI so have mine tuned to be a bit rich at WOT to protect it on track. Using WI I could have the AFR mapped more aggressively for power and probably add in a bit more timing advance too. There are actually quite a few with WI, mostly Turbo but also a few SC. Take a look over on Nutz and you'll find plenty of good help & advice.
Ask on Nutz and someone will probably offer to help - there are loads of FI Nutzers up your way 
ETA: If the car will be regularly used on track I wouldn't tune it too aggressively. You need to build in a good margin as track use puts a lot more load on the engine than road use. Constant full throttle & high revs mean very high temps so use fuelling, timing and WI to make sure the car is safe rather than trying to extract every possible hp
ETA: If the car will be regularly used on track I wouldn't tune it too aggressively. You need to build in a good margin as track use puts a lot more load on the engine than road use. Constant full throttle & high revs mean very high temps so use fuelling, timing and WI to make sure the car is safe rather than trying to extract every possible hp
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Friday 11th February 12:36
piefacemate said:
Bloody hell, I waste enough time on here without adding another forum to the mix.
They grown up a bit, or do they still spend half their time talking in kiddie speak and slagging each other off?
There is a bit of that on there but it's still the best place for FI advice. I don't get the time to visit much myself either - PH and PlanetMX5 is enough for me but I do pop over there whenever I need a bit of technical advice.They grown up a bit, or do they still spend half their time talking in kiddie speak and slagging each other off?
piefacemate said:
Bloody hell, I waste enough time on here without adding another forum to the mix.
They grown up a bit, or do they still spend half their time talking in kiddie speak and slagging each other off?
The kiddie speak is something I absolutely detest and pull members up on to stop. I don't see anymore slagging off than other forums, (have you ever been on miataturbo.net? they don't put up with any crap there!)They grown up a bit, or do they still spend half their time talking in kiddie speak and slagging each other off?
RE: your original question, the LINK G4 STORM only has 4 injector drivers according to their website, unless there is a spare PWM output you won't be able to hook up an Aquamist fast acting valve and control water flow via it, (Though if you have an early 1.6 you'll only be using 2 of the injector drivers so in theory could). However you can use a completely standalone system, Aquamist sell varying degrees of complexity kit, some you can intergrate with your ECU, others tap into an injector PW signal and then use that to modulate water flow independant of the ECU.
The most basic of WI kits have a pressure based switch so they activate at a certain inlet tract pressure (that you set), and continusly flow water until that point is dropped past, they're not ideal but still work very very well.
The previously mentioned mt.net has a lot of knowledge on WI, I'd suggest searching a lot before posting though.
Richyvrlimited said:
The kiddie speak is something I absolutely detest and pull members up on to stop. I don't see anymore slagging off than other forums, (have you ever been on miataturbo.net? they don't put up with any crap there!)
RE: your original question, the LINK G4 STORM only has 4 injector drivers according to their website, unless there is a spare PWM output you won't be able to hook up an Aquamist fast acting valve and control water flow via it, (Though if you have an early 1.6 you'll only be using 2 of the injector drivers so in theory could). However you can use a completely standalone system, Aquamist sell varying degrees of complexity kit, some you can intergrate with your ECU, others tap into an injector PW signal and then use that to modulate water flow independant of the ECU.
The most basic of WI kits have a pressure based switch so they activate at a certain inlet tract pressure (that you set), and continusly flow water until that point is dropped past, they're not ideal but still work very very well.
The previously mentioned mt.net has a lot of knowledge on WI, I'd suggest searching a lot before posting though.
Thanks, very interesting. RE: your original question, the LINK G4 STORM only has 4 injector drivers according to their website, unless there is a spare PWM output you won't be able to hook up an Aquamist fast acting valve and control water flow via it, (Though if you have an early 1.6 you'll only be using 2 of the injector drivers so in theory could). However you can use a completely standalone system, Aquamist sell varying degrees of complexity kit, some you can intergrate with your ECU, others tap into an injector PW signal and then use that to modulate water flow independant of the ECU.
The most basic of WI kits have a pressure based switch so they activate at a certain inlet tract pressure (that you set), and continusly flow water until that point is dropped past, they're not ideal but still work very very well.
The previously mentioned mt.net has a lot of knowledge on WI, I'd suggest searching a lot before posting though.
I have a '90 1.6 so guessing I'm likely to be just using the two injectors. Is there an easy way to determine if this is the case?
WI can either be complicated (PWM controlled via either a standalone system or intergrated into your ECU) with lots of failsafes (low water switches that trigger a safe map etc.)
Or it can be simple, tank, pressure switch pump and nozzle. the former provides better gains and a more driveable car (you need less water at lower rpms, and ideal water %age varies depending upon load which is why PWM control of a valve is ideal).
It also depends on what you want from it, an added layer of safety, or a means to reach MBT at high power levels.
What you choose is entirely up to you, even the most simple setup provides a huge amount of detonation resistance.
It's well worth reading the Aquamist forums too btw
Or it can be simple, tank, pressure switch pump and nozzle. the former provides better gains and a more driveable car (you need less water at lower rpms, and ideal water %age varies depending upon load which is why PWM control of a valve is ideal).
It also depends on what you want from it, an added layer of safety, or a means to reach MBT at high power levels.
What you choose is entirely up to you, even the most simple setup provides a huge amount of detonation resistance.
It's well worth reading the Aquamist forums too btw
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