Methanol Myth Buster

VP’s Q16 Debunks Prevailing Myths About Methanol
TM
MYTH #1 - Methanol is cheaper to use than gasoline. FALSE
Because methanol requires more fuel and more frequent oil changes, Q16 is actually cheaper.
Methanol
Cost per gallon
$ 3.35
Gallons used per run
3.75
Cost of fuel per run
$12.56
Cost of 8 qts oil @$4.50/qt
$36.00
Cost of oil filter
$ 9.75
Total cost of oil
$45.75
Average oil change interval
12 runs
Cost of oil per run
$3.81
Cost per container of upper lube
$ 9.00
Cost of upper lube per gallon*
$ .17
Cost of upper lube per run
$ .64
TOTAL COST PER RUN FOR FUEL/OIL
$17.01
Q16
$15.00
1.0
$15.00
$36.00
$ 9.75
$45.75
25 runs
$ 1.83
$0
$0
$0
$16.83
*One container per 54 gallon drum of methanol
MYTH #2 - Methanol makes more power and torque than
gasoline. FALSE
• Steve Dillman drives a 434 ci small block Chevy in the
NHRA 10.90 Super Street class. After switching from
methanol to Q16, he picked up 1.4 mph.
• On a dyno test, Andrew Thomas saw an
increase of 8 Hp with Q16 over methanol
Steve Petty
with the same torque.
Tuner/Engine Consultant
• On a 665 ci big block Chevy Super Comp
ProLine Race Engines
dragster with spread port heads, Bob Book
saw a 50 Hp increase with Q16.
• The Steve Petty tuned Pro Line Race Engine twin turbo Mustang made 1700 Hp with
methanol before he switched to intercooled Q16 and gained 150 Hp!
• Craig Minor’s 565 ci conventional headed big block Chevy gained 2 mph and picked
up .08 in the 1/8 mile with Q16. “From 330 to 660 feet, my car pulls much
harder with Q16, whereas with methanol, it just nosed over.”
MYTH #3 - Methanol performs more consistently from run to run. FALSE
According to Andrew Thomas, Q16 is clearly more consistent than methanol. "With
methanol, my on-stop RPMs would creep a bit with changes in conditions and it
was hard to dial in. With Q16, I saw no flutter and no creeping. At Indy where I
won the U.S. Nationals, my on-stop rpms amazed me – the tach was just glued
to where I set it, and the changes in air pressure never phased it.”
Andrew Thomas
2007 Super Gas Champion
NHRA U.S. Nationals
Steve Dillman had a similar experience. “On eight consecutive
runs last weekend, I ran between 6.482 and 6.491. For a bracket
racer like me, repeatability is the key, and I was never that
consistent with methanol. Q16 is definitely not as sensitive to
changes in the air.”
MYTH #4 - Methanol is better because it runs cooler. FALSE
Virtually every engine is equipped with a radiator, electric fan and electric water pump. Q16-powered engines leave the line at around 140F and return under power at about 170F. Cooling an engine from 170F to 120F is not a problem. What is a problem is the length of time required to heat
a methanol-powered engine in the staging lanes, using more fuel and diluting the oil. Methanol
fuel flow at idle is almost four times that of gas.
Over and above these myths, there are certain irrefutable facts
according to Steve Burns, VP’s President & Director-R&D:
FACT – “Engine rings and cylinder walls will
hold up longer with Q16 than methanol, because methanol is corrosive while Q16 is not.
Steve Dillman
The main culprit is running a rich mixture when
46-year Sportsman Class
the engine is cold.” Andrew Thomas agrees, “After
Racer & Multitime Winner
300 passes on methanol, there was rust in the
cylinder walls and they were scarred up horribly. After 300 passes on Q16, the engine looked
perfect. No cylinder wall scarring at all. Methanol also ate up the vanes in the electric fuel pump.
There was white corrosion in the fuel system and "cottage cheese" in the fuel filter. With Q16, the
vanes are perfect and the filter is perfect.”
FACT – “Oil will last 2-3 times longer with Q16 than with methanol. But the biggest problem
is methanol corrodes the crankcase and degrades the lubrication. The cost saving with Q16 is also
significant—reduced from $4.45 to $1.83 per run for engine oil, filter and upper lube.”
FACT – “Gasoline fuel systems are generally cheaper than systems for methanol.” As
Andrew Thomas points out, “Switching to methanol would most likely cost $2000 to 2500,
for a methanol-specific carb, a belt drive pump made for methanol, new lines and fitting.”
FACT – “You get more product consistency with Q16." What Burns has seen in the field
is "Racers don't get the quality methanol they think they bought. Despite claims to the
contrary, much of it is reclaimed from industrial processes. It’s easy to hide impurities
in methanol. On the other hand, Q16 is subject to the same quality control tests as
our NHRA spec fuels. If you put Q16 through a gas chromatograph, it’ll look the
same every time.”
Jason Rueckert
Director-Motorsport
Development
FACT – “An inherent problem with methanol, unlike Q16, is that
it’s hydroscopic—it attracts water from the atmosphere.”
FACT – “Q16 is safer to the extent that you only have to carry
half as much fuel in your trailer.”
The bottom line? THERE IS NO REASON TO RUN METHANOL. Jason Rueckert, VP’s DirectorMotorsport Development: “Based on dyno tests and in real world racing, methanol buys you
nothing. I’ve seen every application – methanol carburated, methanol injection, turbocharged
methanol, etc. – fail in comparison to Q16. Q16 makes more power, is more consistent and predictable, and requires less maintenance. This has been proven in all markets, from local bracket
racing to NHRA sportsman racing, to Heads up Limited Street and Outlaw 10.5 competition.
“Q16 has to be a part of a drag racer’s combination.
It’s just as important as a ported set of heads or the latest
trick camshaft. Q16 is the cheapest performance part
you can buy.”
VP Tech Support: 812-466-2222 or
[email protected].
To order: 210-635-7744