Fitting a drink system is one of the most valuable jobs you can do on a race car. Done well, it gives the driver cool water at the press of a button for every lap of every stint, and lets the crew swap bottles in seconds during a stop.
In this video, Team 18 Supercars mechanic Matt Wraight unboxes the RamHydrate drink system and installs it in the #15 Supercheap Auto Gen3 Camaro in the Team 18 workshop. Below the video you will find the same process written out step by step, so you can follow it on your own car.
What comes in the box
The RamHydrate Supercar/GT3 Drink System arrives in a foam-lined case with:
- Carbon main housing and pump unit
- Two double-wall vacuum-insulated 1.25 L bottles with quick-change caps
- Red anodised mounting hardware
- Insulated drink hose
- Drink system cleaning fluid
- Fittings and fasteners
Tools and parts checklist
- Basic hand tools: hex keys, spanners, drill and bits suitable for your mounting points
- Cable ties and hose clamps for tidy routing
- A wiring loom to suit your car's connector: Deutsch DTM, Autosport, DT or D4 (Ferrari)
- A drink button: steering wheel button and wiring or curly cord button
- A helmet drink hose and, for driver changes, RamConnect quick-release connections
How to install a race car drink system, step by step
Step 1: Plan the location
Choose a position the crew can reach quickly through the door or window opening for bottle changes, clear of the driver's controls, seat and safety structure, and away from exhaust and other heat sources. Check your category's technical regulations before drilling anything.
Step 2: Fit the mount
Bolt the mount securely to a solid mounting point using the supplied hardware. The adjustable mount lets you set the angle so the bottle sits upright and the unit is easy to service.
Step 3: Install the pump unit and bottle
Seat the main housing in the mount, then fit a bottle and cap. Confirm the bottle clicks home and releases cleanly, because this is the action the crew will repeat under pressure in a pit stop.
Step 4: Route the insulated hose to the driver
Run the insulated drink hose from the unit to the driver's position along the shortest clean path, secured away from sharp edges, moving parts and the driver's arms. Leave enough slack for helmet movement, then fit the quick-release dry-break connection so the driver connects in one movement.
Step 5: Fit the one-way valve
Install the one-way valve in the line in the direction of flow. It holds fluid in the hose between presses and prevents siphoning.
Step 6: Wire the pump and drink button
Connect the pump to switched power through the wiring loom that matches your car's connector, and fit the drink button where the driver can press it without taking a hand off the wheel for long. Secure the loom along existing harness runs.
Step 7: Test and flush
Fill a bottle, press the button and check for steady flow at the helmet end and zero leaks at every joint. Flush the system with drink system cleaning fluid before the first event.
Step 8: Brief the crew
Practise the bottle change and the driver connection a few times in the garage. A smooth, rehearsed swap is worth seconds on race day.
Race-day checklist
- Bottles filled and chilled, spare bottle ready for the stop
- Flow tested from the driver's seat with the helmet connected
- Hose and loom secured, connections clicked home
- After the event: flush, dry and store bottles open
For specific cars, see our Porsche 992 installation guide and the kits for Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, AMG and production cars.
Watch the full Team 18 series
- Craig Lowndes on RamHydrate at Bathurst 2026
- The engineering view with Adrian Burgess
- How to install a race car drink system (this article)
FAQ
How long does it take to install a race car drink system?
Most installs take a few hours for an experienced mechanic, depending on the mounting position, hose routing and wiring in your car.
Where should the drink system be mounted?
Mount it where the crew can reach the bottle quickly for changes, clear of the driver's controls and safety structure, and away from heat sources, within your category's technical regulations.
Which wiring connector do I need?
Match the loom to your car: Deutsch DTM for Porsche and standard fitment, Autosport for Mustang GT3, DT for Mustang Challenge and GT4, and D4 for Ferrari.
How do I clean a race car drink system?
Flush it with drink system cleaning fluid after each event, rinse with clean water and store the bottles open to dry.
Ready to fit yours? Choose the RamHydrate kit for your car or call +61 435 729 687 and we will help you plan the install.
Share:
What an Ex-McLaren F1 Engineer Looks For in a Race Car Drink System