Anyone Convert to E85?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Anyone Convert to E85?
Just curious. I have heard there can be significant HP gains running 100% E85 provided that your carb is setup to run it. I am skeptical. Also concerned about what it may do to me mechanical pump diaphragm. It is a Holley high volume pump, don't know if it is E85 rated. It will need to pump more of it as well. All rubber lines must go but what about AN braided lines? Are Russel lines E85 safe? Will it damage the stock steel lines that run from the tank to the engine compartment?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Just curious. I have heard there can be significant HP gains running 100% E85 provided that your carb is setup to run it. I am skeptical. Also concerned about what it may do to me mechanical pump diaphragm. It is a Holley high volume pump, don't know if it is E85 rated. It will need to pump more of it as well. All rubber lines must go but what about AN braided lines? Are Russel lines E85 safe? Will it damage the stock steel lines that run from the tank to the engine compartment?
I have thought about switching over to it. I wish I would have gone with domed pistons and at least 12.5 to 1, 13.5 would be even better. It will run good properly tuned at any compression, there is just quite a bit more power available with high compression that you could never run on the street with gasoline. I could run boost on top of my 11.8 to 1 compression and get away with it, although not high boost. 7 to 10 pounds would be doable.
E85 is everywhere up here in Minnesota. You can even go on trips to South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa without problems finding it.
Mike
Last edited by v2racing; Jun 9, 2018 at 01:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I never considered boost but now that you mention it.... I am running an 11:1 ratio. E85 is not that plentiful in the Atlanta area. I am starting to see more and more of it however. I guess I am curious as to how much more power can be had using this stuff without any hardware changes...only tuning.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Very minor if any gain in power. We run it in a drag car for the past 8 years.
If the ethanol level is truly at 85% it is equal to about 105 octane race gas. So to use 105 you need over 12.5 C/R in N/A motors to actually take advantage of the higher octane.
Boosted motors like the modern vettes like it because they end up running full advance all the time because of the knock resistance.
Read up on it some articles claim 2 % TQ and 1 % because of the cooling effect. We had a years worth of time slips and all we did is sent the carb out to run e85 and the times slips were just about the same, because the air is always a changing variable throughout the day.
Don't believe that you get magical power and the lower compression can't even take advantage of it. The 66 nova is a 421 ci with 13.8 C/R
If the ethanol level is truly at 85% it is equal to about 105 octane race gas. So to use 105 you need over 12.5 C/R in N/A motors to actually take advantage of the higher octane.
Boosted motors like the modern vettes like it because they end up running full advance all the time because of the knock resistance.
Read up on it some articles claim 2 % TQ and 1 % because of the cooling effect. We had a years worth of time slips and all we did is sent the carb out to run e85 and the times slips were just about the same, because the air is always a changing variable throughout the day.
Don't believe that you get magical power and the lower compression can't even take advantage of it. The 66 nova is a 421 ci with 13.8 C/R
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Interesting info. Would it allow me to run a supercharger? Just curious. My car already makes too much power. 
. Always wanted to try one of those whipple supperchargers for carb application.
. Always wanted to try one of those whipple supperchargers for carb application. Last edited by KJL; Jun 9, 2018 at 03:31 PM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,070
Likes: 9,202
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
You asked for it, and they already did it. Here you go.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0F39&FORM=VIRE
Its over $3 a gallon up here, I could get race gas for the same price so its not worth the invesstment for me. If I was out west( back in Utah) it would be way cheaper
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0F39&FORM=VIRE
Its over $3 a gallon up here, I could get race gas for the same price so its not worth the invesstment for me. If I was out west( back in Utah) it would be way cheaper
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
You asked for it, and they already did it. Here you go.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0F39&FORM=VIRE
Its over $3 a gallon up here, I could get race gas for the same price so its not worth the invesstment for me. If I was out west( back in Utah) it would be way cheaper
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0F39&FORM=VIRE
Its over $3 a gallon up here, I could get race gas for the same price so its not worth the invesstment for me. If I was out west( back in Utah) it would be way cheaper
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
You asked for it, and they already did it. Here you go.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0F39&FORM=VIRE
Its over $3 a gallon up here, I could get race gas for the same price so its not worth the invesstment for me. If I was out west( back in Utah) it would be way cheaper
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0F39&FORM=VIRE
Its over $3 a gallon up here, I could get race gas for the same price so its not worth the invesstment for me. If I was out west( back in Utah) it would be way cheaper
Mike
Last edited by v2racing; Jun 11, 2018 at 04:59 AM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,070
Likes: 9,202
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
wish there was some around here. I met a few guys that have a sorce for 50 gallon barrels. We only have the pump gas 110 octane leaded at $10 per gallon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Mike
Last edited by v2racing; Jun 12, 2018 at 03:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
The problem with e-85 is that you make an E-85 fuel only carb. the jets have to flow @ 30% more. I use alki needle and seat which is the biggest dia. then you need the sinkless floats
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Over octane is a waste. don't you have enough cam that you never ping! When I had too small of a solid roller it would rattle going down a level highway in OD at 70 mph. I just bought another solid roller with 6 more degrees at .050 and everything has been good for many years.
The problem with e-85 is that you make an E-85 fuel only carb. the jets have to flow @ 30% more. I use alki needle and seat which is the biggest dia. then you need the sinkless floats
The problem with e-85 is that you make an E-85 fuel only carb. the jets have to flow @ 30% more. I use alki needle and seat which is the biggest dia. then you need the sinkless floats
Mike
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 169
Likes: 20
From: Westlake Ohio
KJL I ran 12:1 pistons with 8 pounds of boost and it ran great. You will need to go with a MLS head gasket but yes you can run boost and hi compression pistons provided you do the ancillary work required otherwise it will run like a raped ape in till it pushes a gasket.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
KJL I ran 12:1 pistons with 8 pounds of boost and it ran great. You will need to go with a MLS head gasket but yes you can run boost and hi compression pistons provided you do the ancillary work required otherwise it will run like a raped ape in till it pushes a gasket.
Mike