What about using alcohol in the intercooler?

[BillyGman]

Wouldn't it be better to use alcohol in the intercooler instead of anti-freeze? Because if the intercooler set-up develops a leak, you'll be getting anti-freeze in the cylinders, and that doesn't burn very well, and will get into the oil ( NOT good). I haven't had this problem even after 40,000+ supercharged miles with the Trilogy kit, but my thinking is, that if we did get a small leak in the intercooler, then it would be okay if it was leaking small amounts of alcohol into the cylinders since alky burns very well, and it also has a low freezing point too. What do you think?

[Mad4Macs]

I say "plan a few leaks", then fill the sucka with NOS!
:lol:

[BillyGman]

I say "plan a few leaks", then fill the sucka with NOS!
:lol: LOL....... Some how, I was hoping for some answers that are a bit more technical. :D

[Mike M]

Alcohol would dissipate heat alot better then anti-freeze.

[BillyGman]

Alcohol would dissipate heat alot better then anti-freeze.Yes! Which would be another benefit.

[Cobra25]

Was wondering what is the boiling point of Alcohol compared the Antifreeze?

[Joe Walsh]

Alcohol has too low a boiling point and would vaporize when absorbing heat.

Kinda like your cooling system if you did not add anti-freeze to it...You would have constant radiator boil-overs in the summer.

Two other potential problems:
Obviuosly it is very flammable, and alcohol is tough on pumps because it has no lubricating effect like glycol.

[BillyGman]

Alcohol has too low a boiling point and would vaporize when absorbing heat.

Kinda like your cooling system if you did not add anti-freeze to it...You would have constant radiator boil-overs in the summer.

Two other potential problems:
Obviuosly it is very flammable, and alcohol is tough on pumps because it has no lubricating effect like glycol.That's what I was wondering...if there was any down side. But I was thinking that the intercooler doesn't get as hot as the radiator does, since the radiator sends fluid through the cylinder heads whereas the intercooler doesn't. But that's some valuable input you have. Because it's quite possible that it would evaporate quickly. And I hadn't even considered any possible pump lubrication issues. Thanks for your reply. :up:

[Mike M]

You could add a bottle of lubricant to it. The boiling point would change of course in relation to how much pressure is on it.

[O's Fan Rich]

I know that methanol fires off at 140 degrees in straight form. Not sure what the 50/50 mix with water does. BUt it's les volital.
I would wory about the effects of the alcohol on the solder joints of the intercooler components.

[Smokie]

Billy I don't know exactly what metals are used for the intercooler and condenser but methanol is highly corrosive to aluminum.

[BillyGman]

Rich & Javier,

very good points! I believe the intercooler is all aluminum. So much for that bright idea. I'm staying with anti-freeze in my intercooler. ;)

[ckadiddle]

OK, another plus. YOu could drink it after a race to celebrate your win. Cain't do that with antifreeze, not more than once. :)

[BillyGman]

OK, another plus. YOu could drink it after a race to celebrate your win. . :)LOL!!!!!!! ( good one)....

[merc6]

what about water wetter?

[BillyGman]

what about water wetter? You mean to reduce temperatures? I've never had any problems with heat build up with the use of this supercharger, even in 90+ weather. But the cooler the better I guess.