I bought a Coolingmist Stage 3 HOM Trunkmount kit way back in the winter, and it's been sitting in the box since. I figure it's about time to get this thing installed so I can enjoy HOM 24/7.
So, I've been thinking and reaserching the forums to come up with a plan for a clean and functional installation. I want to tackle the wiring first, and I could use some input from the Coolingmist experts on whether my scheme will work properly with the kit.
WIRING
The "Meth Purge" thread posted by Gmanigio had some great information, and I would like to build on that idea.
My plan is to have one switch for arming the system, and a second push-button for the purge. However, since I have Stage 3 With Toys, I want to scrap the whole intercooler sprayer assembly (it will now be useless), and modify the I/C sprayer button on the toys bezel to function as the arming switch for the meth injection. Here is the schematic:
Here is a quick run-down on what's happening in the diagram:
- Relay #1 arms the whole system. It completes the positive circuit between the Varicool controller and a 12V power source. This relay is controlled by the I/C sprayer switch, which is modified to function as a "push-on /push-off" switch.
- Relay #2 grounds the pump, and should cause it to turn on independent of the controller. It is controlled by the momentary push-button. This will only work when the system is armed. [Can someone verify this is correct?]
- Green LED: shows when the system is armed.
- Blue LED: shows when the system is spraying.
I believe this will work, but any input or suggestions are appreciated. I'll continue this thread as the installation progresses to bring up any tips / issues.
One thing I noticed is that the trunkmount kit was shipped with 2 - 15' sections of polyethylene hose. However, 15' is not enough length to reach from the trunk to the engine bay, especially if you tuck/snake the hose for a clean install. I went to Home Depot and picked up a 25' section of 1/4" O.D. hose with the same specs as the original for less than $5. 25' is the perfect length to comfortably route the hose from the trunk to the charge pipe.
[EDIT - Tank & Hose Installed]
Getting close to completion.
Mounting the tank was a hassle; there isn't really any good place to mount the brackets for the tie-downs (due to the large size of the spare tire well cover). So I came up with a different solution which I think looks pretty clean. I secured the tank using the 4 nuts that are cast into the side of the tank (originally meant for mounting the controller to the side of the tank). The tank is bolted to the plastic trim at the rear of the trunk. I also added 2 screws to better secure the trim, so the clips don't pull out. Removing the tank is as easy as pulling out the 2 screws at the top, and pulling out the tank and trim in one piece.
I also modified the pump/tank assembly a little. I added a harness to make it easy to unplug the pump, and I also added a drain valve (just below the harness). The valve is connected to a piece of hose which exits the trunk through the same hole as the meth supply hose, and drains under the rear of the car. This allows me to easily drain the tank without removing anything.
Last pic shows how I routed my meth line under the car. There is actually 1 vacant spot in the clips which hold the brake lines and fuel line. You can see the meth hose (white) neatly tucked in alongside the brake/fuel lines:
[EDIT - Last Update: Finally Finished!]
After what seemed like forever, I am at last done with this install. Here are some final pics.
Here is the beautiful JMB hard pipe which I ordered with 2 extra bungs for the injection nozzles. Unfortunately I had to cut off 3/4 of the bung to get the nozzles to sit flush with the inside wall of the pipe. The bungs were too tall, and with the wide spray pattern of the injectors, the water would hit the sides of the bung and drip down. No matter; with a little hacking it all turned out well.
Next is the cockpit view. The Varicool controller is mounted below the CD changer slot using custom aluminum brackets that I made.
Close-up of the controller... The push-button to the top-left of the controller is my purge button. Power to the injection system is controlled by the intercooler sprayer button in the turbo toys bezel. I ditched the intercooler sprayer, and the switch required some hacking to convert it to a push-on / push-off switch, but it all works well now.
Here are the three LEDs. The blue and red LEDs are the ones that originally came with the turbo toys kit. The red still functions as the HOM indicator, but the blue one now comes on when the meth pump sprays. I also added a third green LED in the middle; this one comes on when you hit the blue switch, and simply indicates when the system is armed.
IMPRESSIONS AFTER TESTING:
For the first test I filled the tank with distilled water, and took her out on the highway. Settings on the controller were:
- Min. Flow: 3 PSI
- Max. Flow: 13 PSI
- Tune Knob at 10
- Max. Pump duty cycle limited to 65%
For the first couple of tries HOM would hold for about 2 seconds, then I would get kicked out right away. Since I had just reset the PCM, I drove around for a bit to give it a chance to adjust. After about 10 minutes I tried again. This time I smoothly rolled into the throttle at the bottom of third gear and .... the result this time was UNREAL! The car pulled hard as hell, and HOM held right through to the top of fourth gear. Keep in mind that this was only with 100% water, and 94 octane pump gas.
Very happy with the results so far. Can't wait to add some meth to the mix.
