I was recently stationed in Japan and managed to get my hands on a 96 Evo IV. I have run into a slight problem though. The Evo IV was factory tuned to run off of 100 Octane and they only sell 95 on base.

If i try to pull hard i get a lot of detonation and the car pulls timing. Without access to inexpensive 100 octane i was hoping to run the AEM kit with easy to find -20 windshield washer fluid. The bottle claims a 40/60 mix. I wouldn't even begin to know where to take the car for a tune nor how to talk to the tuner to do so.

Short version is: I'm wondering if it's safe to run the AEM kit with the 40/60 mix without a tune in hopes to up my 95 octane closer to 100 and get rid of the detonation i experience during hard pulls.

 

You could but it would take some monitoring of a few items like afr and knock. If route going though the trouble of doing that, why not just get a tune via email or buy a cable and do it yourself? Those evos have the same ecu as the 1g dsms right?

 

Your idea has fail written all over it...EVERYWHERE. First, do not drive in boost if you are tuned for a higher octane fuel and you are using a lower octane; that has blown engine written all over it like that tattoo on Mike Tyson's face! Second, no, your idea of compensating for the lower octane fuel by adding a methanol injection kit will not make the situation better, it will remain the same, disastrous. Your remedy is to either find 100 octane fuel and use that until you find a tuner to tune you on 95, or to not drive your car.

 

Look up ceddy mods. There is a person like Tephra called "ceddy". I have read that he has developed a rom like Tephra's. I would buy a cable that is compatible and slowly make adjustment to pump map your afr/timing. In the long run I would think it would be more of a pain to constantly have the methanol spraying. You would possibly need to have it spray off boost etc. You would need a tune anyway. Might as well start with a tune instead.

 

well i know this is old but i feel obligated to correct you. the JDM EVO's are factory tuned for 98RON.. which is the same as 93 oct... and they only sell 93 on base in Japan... you are most likely having problems elsewhere. I know because i owned a n EVO IV when i was there.

 

mwahahahahahah dude I am sorry but this is fail..

 

There has got to be a tuner down there, but I agree that not too many Japanese people would know what water meth is. I got a WTF look when I got my engine oil changed and they saw the pump.

Yes, water meth will increase your octane, but, without a way to tune it, you may not get any performance out of it. 100% Water would be the best way to reduce temps without causing much of a problem for your AFR. It would also suck out the most heat from the CCs. If you want to play with more methanol, and can't find it on base, most drug stores and home centers sell what is called nenryouyoarukoーru　燃料用アルコール. It will be at most 95% methanol, and the rest will be IPA or ethanol. 200-400 yen for 500mL. Meth is a controlled substance here.

Also, check out the different tuning companies, and check for the tuners. I know that I saw quite a few tuners using ECU Flash in Japan. I didn't check out the south side though. I was looking for a dyno for my beater to see what the mater/meth was doing for the car.

 

new short block in your immediate future meth = fail

Unless you spray it via direct port.

 

What is direct port going to do for him? He is questioning installing a kit at all and you are suggesting he pull his IM and tap it?

 

You are correct, 5 months ago I misread the thread...sue me.

 

Methanol is a cheap way to get increased octane, but it's got to be carefully tuned as there are so many variables that can cause detonation.

 

I'll gladly tell you! It will keep him from blowing the motor all to hell!

 

50/50 distilled water denaturated alcohol mix

 

#1 Find a tuner
#2 Tune your car on the fuel you have access to.
#3 install the AEM Meth kit and have the car tuned for the extra fuel.
#4 Make sure you use the built in failsafes that the AEM kit comes with.

AEM Recommends 50/50 however you can use any percentage you want. You just need to make sure that every time you fill up your meth tank you use the same mix ratio. So 40/60 will work just fine.

If you cannot do those things sell the car and get something you can just drive.

 

can you run a stock evo on meth?