What is everyone's thoughts of running e85?

Pros: Burns cleaner & cooler; higher octane

Cons: ?

 

I am pretty sure Ethanol eats through regular fuel lines.

 

I thought the same thing, but read this from http://www.mye85kit.com/index-4.html:

Mythbusters

Myth: Ethanol makes your engine run hotter.

Fact: There's a reason many high-powered racing engines run on pure alcohol. It combusts at a lower temperature, keeping the engine cooler. Ethanol, a form of alcohol, in your fuel does the same for your engine.

Myth: Ethanol is bad for fuel injectors.

Fact: Olefins in gasoline cause deposits that can foul injectors. By comparison, ethanol burns 100 percent and leaves no residue, so it cannot contribute to the formation of deposits. Fact is, ethanol actually keeps fuel injectors cleaner and improves performance. What's more, ethanol does not increase corrosion, and it will not harm seals or valves.

Myth: Ethanol plugs fuel lines.

Fact: Ethanol actually keeps your fuel system cleaner than regular unleaded gasoline. In dirty fuel systems, ethanol loosens contaminants and residues and they can get caught in your fuel filter. In older cars, especially those manufactured before 1975, replacing the filter will solve the problem. And if you continue to use ethanol-blended gasoline, your filter will remain cleaner for improved engine performance.


Sources: American Coalition of Ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Association

N.D. Department of Commerce
1600 E. Century Avenue Suite 2
Phone: 701.328.5300

 

E85 tuner................

 

alcohol produces less energy per unit than gasoline. An engine running pure alcohol can use up to twice as much fuel to make the same power so I would assume your MPG would probably be much less.

 

Alcohol has less energy and reuires a 6:1 afr to run right if used in pure form. Run it in my 2-stroke dirtbike motors. It also deteriorates rubber very fast. Found this one out by running biodiesel which contains alcohol.

 

Even with the greater volume used, the price around here puts the cost per mile at about the same as pump premium.

I REALLY want to do this, but won't "wing it" without RoadRebels support.
Don't know if he thinks it's a bad idea, or if he just has more interesting things going on.

 

I just went to a procharger, headers, and exhaust and had it converted to E85 and I love it. I am getting around 28mpg on the highway (according to the car's mpg display) and 20.4 around town with plenty of hammering on it. I believe the secret is to get someone who knows and understands how to tune E85. With my car, if I cannot get E85 for some reason, I can run Premium and it will just be slightly rich at WOT. Its all about the tune.

My 2 cents worth.

 

Who tuned your car? Did you make any additional mods to your fuel system? What size injectors are you running? Can we Please have more details?

 

I read up on this a bit on ls1tech...

Did not seem that anyone was changing fuel lines out or anything, but that because the afr is different, you will most likely need larger injectors and possibly better fuel system to keep up with the demand.

 

I just needed bigger injectors and a bigger fuel pump, nothing really out of the ordinary for adding a Procharger.

zackly, who did your tuning? more info on your set up?

 

Both are covered as I have 60lb injectors and complete ECS fuel system with the big pump.

 

I am running 60lb injectors and a racetronics fuel pump with a boost a pump. My car was tuned by Andy Wicks of Dyno Tune USA. Great guy.

 

Probably both.

Interesting reading --> http://www.economist.com/science/dis...ory_id=9861379

 

Interesting article.
The "green thing" isn't my primary interest though. I want the octane increase, and lower combustion temperatures so I can run more boost or timing.

Almost the same (or better?) benefits as alcohol injection, but without the complexity? Or the danger with alcohol injection if it's used for fueling and fails?
(Yes, I realize that charge density improvements might not be quite as good)

It sounds like just a matter of a larger fuel pump (or BAP) and a tune, in my case.

Wasn't there a guy on LS1 tech who was able to get 1000 rwhp on this "pump gas"?

The tuner linked in a previous post claims 30-50 horsepower increases without increasing boost.

 

Not sure on chemical compatibility of your overall fuel system, i.e. tank, gaskets, seals, fuel lines, regulator, pump, injectors... Not saying it can't be done, but know PTFE (teflon) lined fuel lines are a must and doubt true compatability on various gasket and o-ring materials.

Not saying you shouldn't do it but perhaps look up all wetted surfaces on fuel system.


Mike

 

I don't know either, Mike, but supposedly numerous people have been running it for years in stock fuel systems without problems.
One possible explanation is that when all fuel systems were made 10% ethanol compatible years ago, materials were chosen which were at least semi-alcohol tolerant.

My only real experience is that we've stored pure ethanol (work related) in cheap plastic gas jugs for over ten years without noticeable changes.

 

................and talking Dr. Phil into it! Hey, I don't blame you for that Warp! You've got a good tuner on your side, no sense in ticking him off!

There were a couple of posts on there about the 1000 hp Stang and also a C5 that picked up 40 or 50 to the wheels by just changing to E85!

If you're in an area that doesn't have E85 (say on a trip or something), then can you still run Premiun gas or would you need to reload a different tune to do it? I'm Very curious about this!

 

The two guys I talked to said no reload is necessary. It won't run well at high power on gasoline, but no problem going down the road.

 

If anyone is interested check out the Dynomax Power to the Wheels competition. The top 10-12 guys are all running E85 and power ranges from 570 to 1267. It must make power. And if you are headed to SEMA you can see the finals of the competition. I'm one of the guys Warp had talked to about this, and yes my car is a FLEX-FUEL, blown f-body