Evans Waterless Coolants is officially kicking off its NHRA Contingency Program in late July in Sonoma. This is Evans’ first year as a contingency sponsor, and will participate in all Sportsman races in the NHRA National Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the Divisional Series.
The following classes qualify:
- Competition Eliminator
- Super Stock
- Stock
- Super Comp
- Super Gas
- Super Street
- Top Dragster
- Top Sportsman
The program allows the NHRA national event winner and runner up in the above classes to be awarded cash prizes if they meet the following criteria:
- Proof of purchase of Evans waterless coolant within previous 24 months, and
- Display contingency decals visible on both sides of the car.
For each program, the awards are as follows:
- National Events Pay out $300 to Winners, and $100 to Runner Up.
- Divisional Events Pay out $100 to Winners, and $50 to Runner Up.
The Waterless Coolant Advantage
Water has been used to cool engines for more than 100 years with good reason—nothing transfers heat away better then liquid water. Liquid being the key word here, because when water turns to vapor it retains only 4% of its ability to transfer heat. Put another way, losing 96% of its effectiveness, water goes from good to bad in a hurry.
When water reaches its boiling point, vapor forms, pressure builds, and boil-over results. Keeping the water-based coolant in its liquid state can be a challenging endeavor, especially when trying to optimize power. Hot engine metal, insulated by water vapor, becomes an engine “hot spot” that can cause pre-ignition and detonation.
Evans will avoid hot spots and maintain consistent temperatures, and has the ability to tolerate higher temps without getting into the danger zone. Evans’ stability and wider operating temperature range enables tuning flexibility, allows higher compression ratios, and controls detonation. Evans waterless coolant boils at 375°F, well more than 100 degrees higher than water-based coolant, even under a pressurized system. This means Evans will not form vapor, build pressure, and most importantly, will not boil out.
Evans remains in its liquid state, ensuring constant liquid-to-metal contact at all times, even under the most extreme conditions. Metal temperatures are under control, even if the coolant is getting warmer. Typically, Evans will operate at the same temperature as water-based coolant, but may run slightly warmer. As one racer put it, “If the coolant’s not getting hot, it’s not doing its job.”
Beyond the performance advantages, Evans waterless formula protects against corrosion and electrolysis. During winter storage, Evans coolant prevents metal degradation that water can cause over time. Seasonal draining and replacement of coolant can be a thing of the past, not only saving time and labor, but saving your engine from corroding from the inside out.
Installation Process
Installation of Evans Waterless Coolant is not a difficult process, but must be done thoroughly, with a deliberate goal of evacuating all old coolant and/or water prior to filling the cooling system with Evans.
The benefits of Evans derive from the absence of water, and any incremental amounts of water may compromise the benefits. With each percentage of water, the boiling point drops—and quite dramatically—as 1% water lowers the boiling by 25 degrees, and at 6% it drops to about 300 F. The closer to zero percent water the better, with a maximum water content of 5% to avoid compromising the boil over protection.
The first step is to drain the radiator and block. Then blow high volume air (rather than high pressure air) by using a leaf blower, shop vac, or heavy duty blower through the system to evacuate any remaining coolant. If there is a heating circuit and the hoses are accessible, blow air to remove coolant from the heater core. Then fill the system with Evans Waterless Prep Fluid, and run the engine to circulate through. If equipped, run the heat to ensure complete circulation.
Allow to cool and drain the Prep Fluid, in the same manner as above – drain and blow air through.
Fill with Evans High Performance Coolant, run the engine and top off as necessary. For complete instructions, visit www.evanscoolant.com.
Cooling system recommendations
Generally speaking, Evans can be used in any liquid cooled engine, however, performance may be optimized with slight cooling system modifications such as eliminating narrow or restrictive passages.
Evans recommends using a single-pass radiator with minimum 2 rows 1 inch. A double pass radiator may be too restrictive. The following is a quick guide:
300HP or less without AC.......................4 rows: ½” tube copper/brass
300HP to 400HP with AC.........................2 rows: 1” tube aluminum
400HP to 600HP.......................................2 rows: 1.25” tube, aluminum
600HP and above....................................3 rows: 1” tube aluminum
or 2 rows: 1.5” tube aluminum
Pressure cap recommendation is 7-13PSI on the suction side of radiator.
To participate in the Evans Contingency Program, please visit the Evans website at www.evanscoolant.com and submit the registration form.