Affects of Ethanol
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 631
Likes: 7
From: Nashville TN
Affects of Ethanol
I have an A&A supercharged car and are wondering the affects of ethanol in gas. I have seen commercials for the sta-bil additive that removes the 10% ethanol found in most gas. Would it be beneficial to use this or not?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 36
From: INDIANA
Ethanol actually has very high octane, my son's supercharged Tahoe runs on E85, and does very well, no knock at all, and burns clean too.
The bad effects of ethanol are it likes moisture, and is corrosive to incompatible fuel system components. (more a problem with older cars, boats, tractors, ect.) It will plain eat the rubber diaphragms in older fuel pumps, lawn mowers, leaf blowers.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles Ca
I remember seeing a post on evom forum about e85 usage on a dailly basis and gunk build up in the injectors.
Never followed up but probably a good read.
I ran e85 and had no issues, went through 55 gallons every 2-3 weeks.
Pulled the head and was a beautiful sight
Never followed up but probably a good read.
I ran e85 and had no issues, went through 55 gallons every 2-3 weeks.
Pulled the head and was a beautiful sight
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles Ca
Not sure if this is right or not but maybe someone could comment on this:
Suppose it somehow did remove the ethanol from pump gas...
wouldnt that lower the overall octane rating?
Ran e85 25-30 gallons a week on my previous car and never had an issue.
pulled the head and pistons looked beautiful.
Suppose it somehow did remove the ethanol from pump gas...
wouldnt that lower the overall octane rating?
Ran e85 25-30 gallons a week on my previous car and never had an issue.
pulled the head and pistons looked beautiful.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 5
From: Houston
How is alcohol going to cause gunk to build up in the injectors? It's going to keep them clean if anything. The extra 10% ethanol just results in less energy in the gas requiring more of it to make the same power. That's about the only thing relevant unless you are tuning the car with a WB not calibrate for gasoline.
The ethanol does affect some seals negatively though. Many of the nitrous kits got revised seals when the ethanol was added. Octane did not change.
The ethanol does affect some seals negatively though. Many of the nitrous kits got revised seals when the ethanol was added. Octane did not change.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,797
Likes: 52
From: Boise
It's effects, not affects.
Ethanol is beneficial in racing applications because it's high octane, and it's properties make it hard for detonation to occur.
In theory there shouldn't be anything that ethanol will corrode that gasoline won't, at least from a chemistry perspective.
Ethanol is beneficial in racing applications because it's high octane, and it's properties make it hard for detonation to occur.
In theory there shouldn't be anything that ethanol will corrode that gasoline won't, at least from a chemistry perspective.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 371
Likes: 22
From: Woodstock GA
Saw the same commercial. They didn't mean it removes the ethanol. It's used if your vehicle sits for awhile in between uses and to help remove water content.
I've been on E85 for nearly 3 years and on boost...no issues.
I've been on E85 for nearly 3 years and on boost...no issues.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles Ca
How is alcohol going to cause gunk to build up in the injectors? It's going to keep them clean if anything. The extra 10% ethanol just results in less energy in the gas requiring more of it to make the same power. That's about the only thing relevant unless you are tuning the car with a WB not calibrate for gasoline.
The ethanol does affect some seals negatively though. Many of the nitrous kits got revised seals when the ethanol was added. Octane did not change.
The ethanol does affect some seals negatively though. Many of the nitrous kits got revised seals when the ethanol was added. Octane did not change.
I never went through the entire posting and this was a while back.
Sold my car that was running e85 24/7 so didn't feel the need to keep reading.
just food for though.
