Notes
With the methanol injection turned off, Karamikian had originally tuned this car with a certain knock voltage parameter in mind, allowing him to run 6 degrees ignition timing at peak boost, which the EMS registered as 14 psi at redline. The fact that the cylinder head had never been removed meant a stock head gasket and 10.5:1 compression. At this power level we had to be conservative.
Current Modifications
Vortech V2 supercharger, intercooler, Evosport/AEM EMS, Borla cat-back exhaust
Baseline*
Peak power: 388 hp @ 7350 rpm
Peak torque: 297 lb-ft @ 5900 rpm
Dyno Data
Dynojet 248CAmbient temp: 65 F
Test gear: Third*All horsepower and torque figures quoted are measured at the wheels
AEM water/methanol injection kitPerformance
Peak power:422 hp @ 7200 rpm
Peak torque:318 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Max power gain:35 hp @ 6400 rpm
Max torque gain:29 lb-ft @ 6400 rpm
Features
Parts: Controller-driven 150 psi pump, Boost Safe, dash warning light, three jet sizes, installation hardware and wiring, hoses
Price: $460*
*one gallon reservoir tank included
Pros
* Can be run separate on any car or be integrated with the AEM EMS* Acts like racing fuel only when you need it; supply that potentially lasts several tanks of fuel
Cons
* One-gallon tank adds 7 pounds to vehicle weight; optional five-gallon reservoir adds 35 pounds
Conclusion
Karamikian felt he could have gone more, but he had to be fair to the test. In order to what the AEM meth injection was actually good for, he used the exact same knock parameters from his baseline to show how much timing he could throw at it. While 3 degrees doesn't sound like a lot (stemming from the power-limiting stock compression), the substantial 35-plus horsepower gain was well worth it. And we got a much smoother curve to boot.
Something else we noticed was a nice improvement in intake air temperature, which the EMS recorded at the top of each run at 118 degrees F with methanol injection enabled, versus 135 degrees F with it disabled. Considering this gain happened during the blink of a 4-second pull in third gear, we can only imagine the advantages the system provides after just one lap on a road course.