Issue:  No real problem here.  Just an idle curiosity as to whether IC spraybars, which spray the face of the IC with Co2 or N2O, actually make any power. The rumormills says "yes".  For the record, my IC works very well, with the IC outlet temp tracking outside ambient temp during all but long and hard, multi-gear runs..  At the end of the 1/4 mile, the IC outlet temp will rise about 7 - 10 degrees F above ambient.  Yet, it quickly cools back-down to ambient within 10-15 seconds of driving - about the time it takes to get off the track and pick-up my time slip.

Solution:  I'm implementing a custom spray-bar from Shawn at API International. (Contact info is on the My Favorite Vendors page.)  Over about six or seven emails spanning two days, Shawn answered all my detailed questions regarding the fabrication of a custom spray-bar. And, he gave me a good price on the spray-bar and solenoid.  I bought it during summer '03 but never installed it.

Implementation:  Several options exist for how to implement the IC Sprayer.

• Manually - press a button when I want extra cooling; Pros: easiest solution. Cons: doesn't apply cooling when it's most needed.
• Automated spray at full throttle - Pros: cheap and easy.  Cons: This will likely waste cooling medium since added cooling is not needed *all* the time the engine is at full throttle.
• Automated spray at full throttle and at a certain boost level - Pros: simple enough - will require another boost switch.  Cons: Can't think of any serious cons - this just might be the ticket!
• Automated spray based upon air charge temp, rpms, and boost level - The Autronic SMC has TWO programmable fan outputs, FAN1 and FAN2.  Each operate independent of the other.  While fans are typically controlled by engine coolant temp, the FAN2 output can also be controlled by multiple factors: the temperature of the incoming air charge, rpms, and boost level.  Pros: IC sprayer functions only under tightly controlled conditions which can be tailored to the specific conditions when extra cooling will make power..  Cons: Certainly the most complex to implement, and adjustment requires connecting laptop to the SMC which is not always convenient.  The jury is still out, but on the surface, this appears to be a plausible manner to engage the IC sprayer.

Although the Autronic SMC will monitor throttle position, I went ahead and fabricated this full throttle position switch which I won't use.  What can I say..?  I enjoy fabricating this stuff...

Stay tuned...