Water or dry heads/block

I seem to hear 50/50 on running water in the motor with methanol. Some say dont run it, its not needed. Some say run alittle water to even out the cylinder head temps. Has anyone tested both ways or does it really matter?

 

I think the answer is going to boil down to the head design in question, and what your tune and power level is like. Are your heads solid or do they have water passages already? In a perfect world it would probably be advantageous to have a dry deck, and some water in the heads especially around the exhaust side. IIRC, your deal is turbo, so you will by default have a lot more exhaust side heat to deal with than the case with a roots or screw supercharger.

 

This year we ran water in the block and heads. I want to fill the block and weld the deck so its just got water in the heads only. Some say dont even waste the time, go dry.

 

water in heads

we found that running water helped even out temps and gives you a little bit more of a safety margin before you start softening heads. (BBC)

 

Dry block and wet heads is the way to go. Seal the block and seal the head. You don't want water around in the event that you dance a head. I gather from your response that your heads are already "wet" heads. Definately I would run water in them if that is the case, if you want to get the most out of what you have. Any way that you can plumb the water supply between the middle cylinders and take away water from either end? Likely not, but stare at it for awhile just in case. If your heads were solid billet then I might have different thoughts but for your's I'd recommend pressurized water with a bit of Redline Water Wetter. How Much HP are you producing? Do you run intercooled or non intercooled? Sounds like fun Just make sure that your plumbing is robust. The last thing that you want is water under one or more tires.....

 

I got the heads off to Chris Razor to weld up the decks. My engine builder is going to fill the block the rest of the way. Who knows how much the combo will make, somewhere between 2000 and 2800. It should make enough power to go 175-180 to the 1/8 at 3000#.

 

So in your experience the aluminum imbetween the cylinders lasts longer?