Re: 10% Ethanol Gasoline
Thread Starter
Coolest Guy Evar!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax VA
Re: 10% Ethanol Gasoline
Hey guys,
I have the 21CMC heads and cam package. After the car was modded by them, they tuned it on the gas that I had in my tank which was a mix of 91/92 octane unleaded gas. Recently I found a service station one block from my home that now sells 93 octane however it's a 10% ethanol blend.
So I'm looking for some feedback from those of you who have used ethanol blend gasoline. Especially of interest is input from those of you with modded cars.
Thanks for the feedback,
-RR
I have the 21CMC heads and cam package. After the car was modded by them, they tuned it on the gas that I had in my tank which was a mix of 91/92 octane unleaded gas. Recently I found a service station one block from my home that now sells 93 octane however it's a 10% ethanol blend.
So I'm looking for some feedback from those of you who have used ethanol blend gasoline. Especially of interest is input from those of you with modded cars.
Thanks for the feedback,
-RR
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ontario
We have 93 octane here and it is blended with ethanol .I have an 04 with only exhaust mod with corsa indy's .There is 7200 kilometer's on the car but have had no problems so far .
Last edited by bsmithC5/2004; Aug 7, 2005 at 01:57 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
I'm not modded, but it is almost impossible to get gas around here that does not have a 10% ethanol blend, and I haven't had any problems. I try to stick to bigger name brands, and primarily use BP.
Race Director
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From: Newberry FL
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St. Jude Donor '07
I wouldnt think that the US would approve the use of any form of gasoline that would be bad for cars of all types, makes and modifications...but I am no professional on this topic...curious to see what more comes from this post.
Micah
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The engine in my car is not modded, but it runs very well on a 10% ethanol blend. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
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From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by wamara
I'm not modded, but it is almost impossible to get gas around here that does not have a 10% ethanol blend, and I haven't had any problems. I try to stick to bigger name brands, and primarily use BP.
w/ wamara.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
From: CA
I think I read somewhere that up to 15% ethanol will not cause engine damage. Anybody else see that ? What I worry more about is ethanol absorbing water like regular alcohol. Since gasoline won't mix with water, can this cause rust in the fuel systrm or does it hold the water in suspension until its burned ?
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Thread Starter
Coolest Guy Evar!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax VA
This is what I have on the subject so far. Quotes taken from members of other forums...
-RR
E10 (ethanol 10%) has about 96.7% heat energy as /regular/ gasoline which is what gives you 3% less fuel mileage, and will also take about 3% hp from your engine.
As of 1 July 2005 stations nationwide no longer have to display the E10 sticker on the pump so you will have no way of knowing what is in the fuel as an oxygenate...
As of 1 July 2005 stations nationwide no longer have to display the E10 sticker on the pump so you will have no way of knowing what is in the fuel as an oxygenate...
There have been an increasing number of complaints and statements regarding dissapointing and lower than expected RWHP Dyno results.
I have been doing a little research and it may be the gas!
Many states have mandated RFP gas and others have mandated 10% Ethanol (E10 Gas) and some in the near future (Minn.) will require E20.
There are 2 problems with E10 in regards to Tuning and Dyno results.
1. The Stoichiometric value for tuning with E10 is 14.1:1 rather than 14.7:1 for 100% Gasoline. So if you are running E10 in a car tuned for 100% gasoline you are already running 3% Lean. You should retune and then reDyno to get accurate results.
2. You loose 4% HP by running E10 vs. 100% Gasoline.
So at 400 HP.....bye bye 16 HP.
The C6Z06 will loose 20.2 HP.
Just think what E20 will do.
The farmers/AGRO/EPA conspiracy extolls a possible gain in milage using Ethanol.
Well DAH !!....if I'm making less power I might just get an increase in milage....Thanks a lot....not quite what I am paying $70,000 for...If I wanted better milage I would have bought a Prius.
Check your gas when tuning and Dynoing.
__________________
I have been doing a little research and it may be the gas!
Many states have mandated RFP gas and others have mandated 10% Ethanol (E10 Gas) and some in the near future (Minn.) will require E20.
There are 2 problems with E10 in regards to Tuning and Dyno results.
1. The Stoichiometric value for tuning with E10 is 14.1:1 rather than 14.7:1 for 100% Gasoline. So if you are running E10 in a car tuned for 100% gasoline you are already running 3% Lean. You should retune and then reDyno to get accurate results.
2. You loose 4% HP by running E10 vs. 100% Gasoline.
So at 400 HP.....bye bye 16 HP.
The C6Z06 will loose 20.2 HP.
Just think what E20 will do.
The farmers/AGRO/EPA conspiracy extolls a possible gain in milage using Ethanol.
Well DAH !!....if I'm making less power I might just get an increase in milage....Thanks a lot....not quite what I am paying $70,000 for...If I wanted better milage I would have bought a Prius.
Check your gas when tuning and Dynoing.
__________________
Ethanol is a great fuel in several respects (great buring, cool, comes from corn rather than the Middle East). It has about 85% of the BTU value of gasoline, so your miles per gallon will be less. It is very hard on rubber components. Most US cars are made to run on 10% ethanol.
You will loose power, plain and simple.
If your fuel designation is E55, then your vehicle is NOT equipped to run correctly on this fuel. Ethanol, more than anything else, robs power, in exchange for better emissions.
Also remember, that ethanol is very hazardous to components that are NOT engineered to handle the formulation.
Fuel content and formulations are the biggest reason for the failures that Corvette is experiencing in the fuel tank sensing units.
I would caution against using this consistantly, although, you should NOT have a problem with occasional usage.
If your fuel designation is E55, then your vehicle is NOT equipped to run correctly on this fuel. Ethanol, more than anything else, robs power, in exchange for better emissions.
Also remember, that ethanol is very hazardous to components that are NOT engineered to handle the formulation.
Fuel content and formulations are the biggest reason for the failures that Corvette is experiencing in the fuel tank sensing units.
I would caution against using this consistantly, although, you should NOT have a problem with occasional usage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
The only time E10 is an advantage is if you're running rich on straight gasoline. If you tune for it, it can be an advantage because of the higher octane rating. As a matter of fact 85/15 is up to 100 octane, but you'll have to increase the fuel flow to get any benefit.
