Nitromethane from RC Car Fuel?

[Richard L]

I have just received 5 litre of pure Nitromethane form G-max.

Here is a couple of pictures of it.

[janis]

Did you manage to try the stuff yet?

[Richard L]

First of all, I need to find a way to dissolve the stuff in water.

And then do some long term compatibility test with our pump seals. Teflon is the seal I will try first.

I don't have a turbo car, I will try it on my daily driver - Citroen Picasso.

[doctorfrag]

I am planning on making up a 50/40/10 methanol/water/Nitromethane mix, the nitromethane can dissolve in the methanol, reading here it seems that up to 10% by volume can be used with out having to worry about a/f ratios.

This will be some time early summer, as I don't have the money for a separate remap for this, but I will map with 50/50 Methanol/water first of all on the rollers, then put in the above mix and then run her again. I am concerned that it may affect detonation which is why I want to do it this way,.. to be safe!
If there are noticeable gains, then I will try stronger concentrations

Joe

[JohnA]

Judging from this label, nitromethane sure looks like the Devil's brew :lol:

I wonder if it reacts with plastics, aluminium, brass fittings, etc. Nasty piece of work it is... :shock:

[Richard L]

Had a bit of time today to play...

First I put a few drop on a metal plinth, hit lightly with a hammer, nothing much happen. Hitting harder and hard, just can't ignite it.

The next test: put a few drop under a 40-ton fly-press. Again failed to make it ignite when struck.

Mixed 33/33/33 M/W/N but the couldn't dissolve all the nitro, see picture below:



I then put two drops of washing up liquid, shoke it a bit, went milky within a few seconds-appeared to have emulsified. Left it overnight, Shall have the answer tomorrow.

[JohnA]

Washing up liquid eh?

Fairy any good?

If this keeps it suspended, I'd be tempted to try it myself.
But it will need a special tank I suppose, can't use the windscreen wiper bottle eh?

[chucktoo]

Thanks Richard for the lab class.

It would be interesting to see if the 50-40-10 mixture Water-Methanol-Nitro mix actualy works and does not seperate out.

[Richard L]

The solution has separated but appeared less nitromethane was left at the bottom - washing up liquid seemed to have made the nitromethane more soluable in water/methanol.

[Richard L]

Originally Posted by chucktoo

Thanks Richard for the lab class.

It would be interesting to see if the 50-40-10 mixture Water-Methanol-Nitro mix actualy works and does not seperate out.

I will try that mix next for you and will post a picture.