Jim, Brian, K. Hodges,


My theoretical post was not based on any empirical measurements.

It was only theoretical and some variables were not entered into the 'equation'.

The coupe-de-gras was, I believe, exhaust gas temperature and intake charge temperature.


Methanol is more volatile than nitro and has a higher latent heat of evaporation, so the temperature of the intake charge becomes lower, thus increasing its viscosity and mass, maybe enough to counteract the nitro fuel's lower stoichiometric ratio and larger intake mass. So the 'warmer' intake charge with nitro fuel, may flow into the cylinder more easily.

The higher exhaust gas temperatures with nitro fuel will make the spent gasses flow more easily too, despite their larger mass. This also has the same effect.

So, the higher temperatures have the effect of increasing the RPM, at which peak torque and peak HP are achieved, more than the larger masses have of decreasing them.


Maybe these curves K. Hodges refers us to would change and things will not look exactly the same, if the compression ratio was also changed accordingly and be higher for methanol than for nitro.

But the question was simple and actual empirical data proves my theory was wrong. I stand corrected.