Aquamist HFS-4 quick review more to come

[YokiMazoku]

Okay so I got the Aquamist HFS-4 in the mail today. Unit will be getting installed in about 2-3 weeks. I will keep this updated with pics and what I think of the kit. So with that said I do want to send a special thanks to Dustin for helping the guys over at Aquamist get this kit setup properly for our car. By the way Richard also sends his thanks.

Alright so I ordered this kit from Jeff at Howerton Engineering the guy was a lot of help answered all my questions. Great guy to do business with. If you order this kit tell them it is a mazdaspeed they will make adjustment to the controller for our car b/c our ECU is weird. For a more technical explanation maybe Dustin will chime in.

Finally on to the kit itself. Here are some pics of what comes with it. When I looked at all the parts it looks solid. Unit has 4 built in fail safes. And of course the flow gauge to make sure it is working. Im not gonna go over everything this kit can do it would take to long. Few small things to note is the unit doesn’t come with a tank you probably already know. Also the nozzles are smaller than the standard 1/8 but it does come with an adapter to fit the 1/8 size and you don’t get any 90 degree adapter with this kit. If you want to run more than 2 nozzles you need to have some adjustments made to the controller.

Okay so when it comes to tuning I know very little at best. rfinkle I know you were helping me before but life happened and well I was unable to continue. But if you have the time I'd love some help getting this dialed in. I would like to run dual nozzles to see how the car acts. With the HFS-4 unit it can run based off boost or IDC or even a mix of both. So that will be interesting to see.

On that note I know this is not a cheap unit but the benefits are undeniable. And the quality well it speaks for itself. Also after I priced out all the parts for the other kits that would do even close to what this one does I was only paying maybe a hundred or so more.

Okay I got the devils own tank in the mail today. Tank build quality looks good very nice piece. Good job devils own. Here are some pics. Can't wait to get this kit put in!

UPDATE!

Okay its been a few months the kits installed i have a few loose ends to finish up but other than that the kit is awesome. The thing is extremely sensitive to IDC. I tested it on 12% "with the nozzle in the windsheild" and light throttle it was spraying with very fine mist. A few notes for those doing the install later buy some quality taps if your going to be tapping the PCM. I went the posi lock and they work really well. The Aquamist wires are very very small i wanna say there 24 gauge wires.

Here are some things that will help with the install its only for the MAZDASPEED 3 Gen 1.
Also the PCM diagram can be located here: ECU Diagram and Pinouts
On the Gen1 the colors of the wires maybe slightly different but follow the PCM diagram pin numbers they match up to the diagram Aquamist provides.

Also the HSF4 diagram show the 2BB fuel injector coil - as white well on the ms3 gen 1 its actually white/violet.

I will be posting a video of the nozzle spraying and a driving video with it in the windshield at 12% IDC.

**********IMPORTANT********************

I spent a long time trying to figure out why my flow sensor kept picking up readings when i wasnt spraying! Very annoying! So go to autozone buy some heat wrap
and wrap the flow sensor *thats connected to the FAV* this will stop the false flow. Found out magnetic fields can cause this so save yourself some time....Your Welcome

[uncorked11]

I am looking at this kit for early sept.

[helmetface]

While it's a beautiful kit and the failsafes are a real nice add-

You could have done the same thing for $500 less.

To each his own..still probably the best kit for our or most any street platform


*edit*

Then again a new motor due to meth fail is a lot more expensive.

[YokiMazoku]

helmetfail...... my thoughts exactly.

[BobtailedSnail]

I have been eyeballing this kit and I think Ima get it as well

[djuosnteisn]

Hands down the best meth kit out there. The fuel metering is in a league of it's own, and Aquamist has done a ton of homework to make it work seamlessly with our DI.

Grats on the purchase OP. Can't wait to see some results.

JumpingJackson is running the same kit iirc. So if you have any questions, he'd probably be a good person to PM.

[skeurton]

I bought this kit months ago and it's still sitting on the shelf. DOH! You'll probably install yours before I get the chance to, so I'm definitely subbed for results.

[Dust]

Originally Posted by helmetfail While it's a beautiful kit and the failsafes are a real nice add- You could have done the same thing for $500 less.

Care to explain?

[helmetface]

Originally Posted by Dust Care to explain?

Aquamist ~$8-900iirc
DO $300

[Boost Addict]

Ugh I envy you

[ArcticSpeed3]

I've been eyeing this kit as well. I'll be getting it at the end of this month.

[Dust]

Originally Posted by helmetfail Aquamist ~$8-900iirc DO $300

If you got in on the group buy, $700.

DO is 300, plus $250 for the AEM flow monitor, and $20 for the AEM filter. But you still have a pulsed pump instead of a pulsed solenoid, and a controller that is taking up most threads in your forum.

Or go used with a HFS-3v2 which can be found for a little less, or used starting at $450

[helmetface]

Originally Posted by Dust If you got in on the group buy, $700. DO is 300, plus $250 for the AEM flow monitor, and $20 for the AEM filter. But you still have a pulsed pump instead of a pulsed solenoid, and a controller that is taking up most threads in your forum.

I wouldn't purchase the flow monitor if I were to go with the DO kit.

That's the point.

Obviously, if you're looking for the best of the best, this kit is where it is at. I am just saying, several have gotten by just fine without all the bells and whistles.

[YokiMazoku]

Well its good to see this kit grow some interest. I didnt realize there are a few people who already have it. I will be sending jumpingjackson some messages in the future lol. I still havent decided if i want to run from full IDC or mix of boost and IDC. Only time will tell i guess.

There are other kits out that maybe perfectly fine and helmet is right many have gotten away with a cheaper setup. But this is by far the best option out there for safety and tuning at least i think so. Also i really like the IDC option for our car

[paveltol]

Congrats to OP! I also have this kit sitting on the shelf for half a year. Quality of the parts is really nice!

BTW is there anyone having this kit installed on MS6?

[Lex]

Great kit that I would trust a lot more if I was using Meth as a fuel on a big turbo. If on a k04 and using it just for cooling it is a little overkill.

Sent from Stratified Mobile Headquarters

[Dust]

Originally Posted by helmetfail I wouldn't purchase the flow monitor if I were to go with the DO kit. That's the point. Obviously, if you're looking for the best of the best, this kit is where it is at. I am just saying, several have gotten by just fine without all the bells and whistles.

No worries, I was just trying to keep the pricing apples to apples for those who may not know.

[helmetface]

Originally Posted by Dust No worries, I was just trying to keep the pricing apples to apples for those who may not know.

For sure.

[YokiMazoku]

One other thing i want to mention about this kit. It is very well organized I've been looking it over a lot now that i have all the parts and there are details on the bags telling me about
the piece and where it goes. That's just awesome makes it very easy to put together.

[Dust]

The only thing that would make it easier would be an OBD-2 port for power grounds and everything else.

[Downmented]

I was very interested in this kit as of recently, had some hesitation as to whether or not anyone had actually used it with our platform. Now that i see there are people who have used it with success i think i will also be going this route, possibly only with the HFS-3 kit, it is hard to justify that extra $$ between the HFS 3- and HFS 4.

Please someone chime in with their exp with these kits.

[YokiMazoku]

I should probably update this. This kit is installed on the car not fully functional yet as i havent had time to finish the last bit of wiring. But i spent more time on the truck and mounting the tank. I almost returned the kit as i couldn't think of a good way to hid the huge tank.
After weeks of thinking about what i wanted to do i finally found a good way to do it. Here are some pics of the hidden tank.

[Dust]

Nice install, but you know people will want to know how you got it in there.

[Voltwings]

^^ i sure as hell do, my trunk mounted tank wouldn't work there because of the Knub that sticks up in the middle of the spare tire well for the bolt holding it on to go through. Did you basically just shave that "bolt-hold-knub-thing?"

[YokiMazoku]

Basically I got rid of the spare. Well here are some pics.

[Dust]

Can't wait to get my HFS-4, and might have found an extra one even. As an aside, a member posted that the metal area around the lid? rusted on them. DO said that it was the first time they had heard of it happening, but just wanted to stick that out there.

[YokiMazoku]

Also lifted the plastic and foam with some tabs to make it fit. Also thanks to James a good friend did the custom cover to replace the stock one. That way I can go stock if I need to.

[Downmented]

Originally Posted by YokiMazoku Basically I got rid of the spare. Well here are some pics.

Where is the center picture?

[YokiMazoku]

Are you talking about the piece that goes over the tank? If so its a few post above.

[Downmented]

Originally Posted by YokiMazoku Are you talking about the piece that goes over the tank? If so its a few post above.

No, the part where the wire harness is, where is that
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Tabasco69]

Originally Posted by YokiMazoku Basically I got rid of the spare. Well here are some pics.

Very good job my friend!

if you have insurance and a cell phone you will usuaully have road side assistance, at the very least have a jack, a package a rubber plugs and cement, and a can of compressed air, you do not need to carry a spare tire.

I plan to buy the same system, bar none it is the best.

Salem Oregon?! you should come out to the Portland's Cars and Coffee on saturday mornings, pretty diverse group of people, good way to scope out ideas

[YokiMazoku]

LMAO omg downmented you have no idea how long i had to think about your question. Im so burt out with school work and family. Wow ok it is in the glove box lol

[Downmented]

Originally Posted by YokiMazoku LMAO omg downmented you have no idea how long i had to think about your question. Im so burt out with school work and family. Wow ok it is in the glove box lol

hahahahahahaha, I have MS6 so thats why it was difficult for me to locate that little compartment. lol

[YokiMazoku]

Added some info for those doing the install maybe useful.

[skeurton]

Very impressive install!!! Few questions for you, if you don't mind...

1) What size nozzle did you go with?
2) What W-to-M mix are you using?
3) Any pics of the connections at the ECU?

[BobtailedSnail]

Talked to a few folks here and kinda came to the conclusion PI wasn't gonna give me the fuel/octane I need, due to me not having access to E85. So I'm opting for direct port meth with this system since it cost the same as 6thport and prolly cheaper than PI.

[YokiMazoku]

Nozzle size is the .8mm right now.
mixture will be 50/50.
I could take some pics but it wouldnt show much its all taped up.

BobtailedSnail i had the same problem e85 too far away. After reading about the FAV on the HFS4 and the IDC setup i couldnt resist.

[BobtailedSnail]

Originally Posted by YokiMazoku Nozzle size is the .8mm right now. mixture will be 50/50. I could take some pics but it wouldnt show much its all taped up. BobtailedSnail i had the same problem e85 too far away. After reading about the FAV on the HFS4 and the IDC setup i couldnt resist.

Exactly why I like this HFS4 I wonder if the pump will handle direct port .6mm nozzles and a 1.0 pre throttle body. Might need another pump and I need to calulate exactly what I need as far as nozzles go.

[Tabasco69]

I'm going to be running the hsf3 w/100% methanol, using 2 .9 jets pre tb, I have a few e85 stations near by but I rather also go this route aswell.

How do you fellas use the jet sizing calculations with your direct injection, what I mean is port fuel injection is pretty simple to figure out dependent upon injector capacity at static 43.5psi versus boost psi- 165psi pump rating?

[skeurton]

Originally Posted by Tabasco69 I'm going to be running the hsf3 w/100% methanol, using 2 .9 jets pre tb, I have a few e85 stations near by but I rather also go this route aswell. How do you fellas use the jet sizing calculations with your direct injection, what I mean is port fuel injection is pretty simple to figure out dependent upon injector capacity at static 43.5psi versus boost psi- 165psi pump rating?

When I first tried to calculate the jet size, I was at a loss. Since our DI injectors are rated at 1700 cc/min max, the required flow rate was off the charts, even at 85% IDC. Then it occurred to me that the guidelines were for PI, like you said.

So I PM'd back and forth with Richard, and he said a good estimate to use is 500 cc/min of fuel for every 100 hp your car makes. I told him I'd like to get it to 350 hp. Adding in system losses and headroom, he recommended this to me:

- 1mm nozzle for 50:50
- 0.8mm + 0.9mm for 100% meth

In trying to verify this, I came across this thread....

GDI Injector Flow Testing/Cleaning

....which had this tidbit of info:

although he didn't want to put himself out there, David thinks that the power levels being hit right now on the OEM injectors indicate a 600-650cc flow if they were conventional injectors

Based on that, I re-did the calculations and Richard's recommendation was pretty much right on. But I may be able to run the 0.9mm for 50:50, and the 1.0mm for 100% meth.

For my calculations, I used 650 cc/min for the injectors, 85% IDC, and 22psi boost. I've attached the spreadsheet if anyone wants to mess with it.