I have a heads/cam/nitrous (wet) car. It's an FRC. I've got an LPE pump and 38 pound injectors.

I have E85 readily available on base.

I kinda like the idea of running E85 because it's cheaper, cleaner, I can make a little more power, and it smells good :-)

Recommendations from anyone that has done this or looked into it is greatly appreciated!!

 

I think all the seals on the fuel system will need to be changed along with new injectors. basically you have to change everything to eathanol compatiable products in the fuel system (sender, pump, injector, FPR,etc.,)..

do lots of research before tackling this one.. i dont think its as easy as it sounds.

 

what would something like this cost?

 

With E85 you burn more fuel than regular fuel so E85 is really not that much cheaper. E85 also gets you less MPG. E85 may eat some parts of your fuel system.

 

i read a write-up that all you need is bigger injectors. i am just trying to verify how true that is. it makes sense to have to replace everything though

 

needing bigger injectors most likely is a requirement. I would also think the new injectors would have to have the seals, etc. designed to be compatiable with the more corrosive effects of E85. It might be worth looking in to some of the fuel injectors (fuel systems) on GM truck engines that are flex fuel. Should be pretty easy and affordable to acquire and might just swap easily.. (donno for sure). anyways, somethings to think about.

 

A new computer tune will be necessary.

 

I don't know much about converting to E85, but here is a good read about it on the C6 if you have an interest - LINK

 

E85 is much more corrosive than gasoline, so you will need some seals to be changed over. On my truck, the only difference between flex fuel and standard are a few more stainless pieces in the fuel system, the tune (to let the truck figure out if it has E85 or not), and slightly more corrosion-resistant seals. Remember, E85 is only 85% ethanol and regular gasoline is 10% ethanol, so current fuel systems need to be fairly robust to begin with (and gasoline is pretty corrosive by itself). To really get the benefits of E85, you need to take advantage of its much higher octane. A tune could easily do this if you only ran E85, but then you couldn't run 93 safely if you were somewhere where you couldn't get E85. Some vehicles use the O2 sensors to let the computer figure out what type of fuel it has, but with a tune like that I'm sure you're talking really big bucks.

 

Good lord there is a lot of nasty information running around out there about e85.

Long and short: I RUN e85 in my car. I put in bigger injectors and suggest you do the same (Red top SVO's are great if you're pretty stock). You WILL need a tune (which you'll need anyway for injector swap). If you live in cold weather environment and plan to run it in the cold weather you'll need to be careful about your tune, e85 isn't 85% ethanol during the winter (there's a winter blend and a summer blend). I haven't changed anything in my fuel system out, besides my fuel filter (Which I suggest you do as well after a tank of e85 or so).

Make some choices, are you going to ALWAYS run e85? (If you're saying "Uh, no probably not.." Then don't do it...)

Understand that e85 has lots of bennys like higher octane a more complete burn leading to lower cylinder temps normally but also has draw backs such as less BTU's per volume, so you'll have to burn more to get the same energy out.. (meaning you'll loose some MPG )

If you have specific questions or concerns post'em up or PM me... Please don't listen to the uninformed running around suggesting your fuel system will fall apart and you'll die in a firey corn alcohol powered fire.

(it does smell nice when it burns though, just to be clear..)

 

of course it wont fail right away... corrosive effects take time.

My advice is and still is: Do lots of research.. not this forum, but from accredited sources and real experts in the field!

you might find that Flex Fuel vehicles have different part numbers for most of the fuel system than the non-flex fuel variants - and that probably is for a good reason.



Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Agreed 100% may take a few years but I wouldnt want to drive around with a hot engine and then a leak decides to spray gas all over my hot engine.

Do what you wish.

I would seek out a specific E85 Forum/website where people are dedicated to E85 and know the ins and outs of the system and understand it fully, that is where the real experts will be, not here.

 

I worked in the internal combustion engines lab at University of Miami in the late 70's when the initial emmisions certifications work for blended fuels (gasoline, ethanol, methanol) was being done. Three schools were given grants by the DOE to performs this research, if I remember correctly the other two schools were CAL TECH & GA TECH. Maybe someone who attended one of those schools can verify that. One of my IC engines lab projects was to convert my 68 Mustang to run on a combination of either straight gasoline, ethanol, or methanol and blends with variying percentages of each.
Beyond the obvious necessary modifications I had to perform on the carburator to accomodate for the lower fuel air ratio and fuel consumption, with both methanol and ethanol; I don't recall having to do much to the fuel system other that replacing all of the rubber hoses and o-ring seals and gaskets with a more compatible material (BUNA-N, or VITON I can't remember).
I ran that car for about a year on different blends of gasoline with ethanol and methanol and never had any issues with corrosion on any of the steel components in the fuel system. I drove that car for another five years after I left U of M without any fuel system issues.
I don't know what material seals and gaskets GM used on the C-5's fuel system, but it may be worth checking before making the switch.

 

I have A full flex fuel tune done I can run on E-85 or unleaded as long as its almost empty. All I had to do is change injectors and do a program. I have been running E-85 for 2 years no problems at all. If you have question call Andy Wicks at Dynotune has done lots of E-85 tunes.

 

http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_08...ion/index.html

 

Just my opinion,,,if you are not going to some form of forced induction OR build a higher compression motor to take advantage of the higher octane rating,,,,,What is the point of running it???

 

I agree completely, that's why I chimed in. I've been running e85 in my grand prix for 3 years, and a 1999 suburban for 4, my corvette is going on just over a year.

Please do not confuse Methanol and Ethanol, ethanol is much less corrosive.

If you want to talk to someone who's been at it a VERY long time talk to Andy Wicks as someone else already mentioned, he's local to me and a very knowledgeable guy about it as well.

Or ask people who have never ran it so they can tell you your fuel system will fall apart, your choice!

 

What did you use to convert to E85. I have been looking into a kit like this one. http://www.fuelflexint.com