E85 instead of Methanol
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,713
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From: Littleton CO
E85 instead of Methanol
Ok so I went with a friend last week to get some work done on his STi while waiting we talked to the shop guys and they asked about my car. I told them I had a Paxton from ECS and that I was thinking about adding Methanol. Their opinion is I should just switch to E85 as they feel that there is less to go wrong on E85 and it is fairly readily available now.
I was just wondering what everyone's take is. Why more people don't go E85 instead of meth.
Thanks for any advice.
I was just wondering what everyone's take is. Why more people don't go E85 instead of meth.
Thanks for any advice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 95
From: MI
Ok so I went with a friend last week to get some work done on his STi while waiting we talked to the shop guys and they asked about my car. I told them I had a Paxton from ECS and that I was thinking about adding Methanol. Their opinion is I should just switch to E85 as they feel that there is less to go wrong on E85 and it is fairly readily available now.
I was just wondering what everyone's take is. Why more people don't go E85 instead of meth.
Thanks for any advice.
I was just wondering what everyone's take is. Why more people don't go E85 instead of meth.
Thanks for any advice.
RE: using 85 as a primary fuel...I have/still contemplating going that route as E85 has a higher octane than Sunoco 94 and burns cooler. I've heard that cold starts can be an issue, but I don't drive my car in the winter time anyway.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,713
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From: Littleton CO
Yeah their position is that you don't have an extra pump or wiring. They also claimed cooler temps with E85.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 95
From: MI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 95
From: MI
Dowside, you will need E85 compatible hardware (lines, fittings, pump, injectors, etc.)...larger fuel pump (or at least 30-50% more flow capacity at desored hp level) and larger injectors (ditto). Personally, I am interested in making the switch (just gotta convince Dr. Phil). If I were keeping th Viper, I would switch to E85 as I have the lines, rails, pump, etc....just need larger injectors. There are likely others. This is based on my limited research.
Upside: Higher octane, cooler burn. Can ditch the Meth setup as it isn't really need as much.
Upside: Higher octane, cooler burn. Can ditch the Meth setup as it isn't really need as much.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,713
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From: Littleton CO
Yes this is true. I talked to a couple STi guys who had E85 tunes. They gained about 10% but lost about 25% mpg however it is about 25% cheaper around here. So if cost is the issue it seems to almost even out. If distance is the issue the you lose about 25% distance.
However upgrading the pump fuel lines and injectors again sounds like to much of a pain. Meth here I come
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Dallas/Valley Ranch TEXAS!!!
I just built a custom fuel system for E85, I will be running E85 and Methanol Injection together, install was just finished last month... We still have a few more things to do to the car before I make the switch, but that's the plan...
Guest
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My understanding is e85 does not have the corrosive properties of methanol, thus not requiring any changes to the fuel system other than what you mentiond in the way of additional fuel capacities from the pump, maybe the line size and injector.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Curious, why you are running meth injection with the e85? Is your guy in Dallas able to tune e85 and is it regularly available out there? We have maybe three pumps in Austin. I really want to go that route as well, but would have to get a truck bed tank and fill the car at my house before I head out for the day.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
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From: MI
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Minnesota Corn Fields
You are correct. Regular gas is 10% ethanol already so your lines, fittings, pump, tank, and injectors can handle it. You will need the added supply.
Earl, have you done some testing to prove this wrong? if so please share.
Guest
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there has been considerable discussion on the topic. Of course time will tell if the claims are true.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602091
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602091
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 95
From: MI
there has been considerable discussion on the topic. Of course time will tell if the claims are true.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602091
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602091
Hot Rodders/Tuners don't have to do the rigorous testing that OEM have to. Their setups only have to work as its leaving the shop.
Last edited by Earl H; Jun 23, 2008 at 12:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 30
From: Friendswood, Tx
I'll stick with meth as E85 is almost nil around here.....and Meth is cheap, my car burns very little of it and if I ever “run-out” and don’t have time to go to the mod shop to buy some, I simply walk into my local home Depot and buy some Denatured Alcohol. I’d never switch based on the “convenience” factor alone.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,945
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From: Dallas/Valley Ranch TEXAS!!!
Curious, why you are running meth injection with the e85? Is your guy in Dallas able to tune e85 and is it regularly available out there? We have maybe three pumps in Austin. I really want to go that route as well, but would have to get a truck bed tank and fill the car at my house before I head out for the day.
For the pure cooling efficiency and added octane (as for both)...
Yes, Taylor can and does tune for E85.
E85 is offered at the "Kroger" grocery store stations, here in Dallas (there are several)...
I have the setup designed so I can switch maps on the fly...So If I travel in the car where no E85 is available, I just throw the other tune in the car and 60 seconds later I can change fuels...
Yes this is all for performance only... But that's our hobby... It's a LOT easier than it sounds... Promise...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 980
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From: Raleigh NC
Can't wait to see the results of the setup! I thought about it myself, but the higher fuel requirement and the high price of E85 around here have kept me away...
Don't know how it is around there, but here E85 prices adjust themselves with gasoline. What a sham.
Don't know how it is around there, but here E85 prices adjust themselves with gasoline. What a sham.
Last edited by o0 zeno 0o; Jun 24, 2008 at 06:05 PM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
John,
For the pure cooling efficiency and added octane (as for both)...
Yes, Taylor can and does tune for E85.
E85 is offered at the "Kroger" grocery store stations, here in Dallas (there are several)...
I have the setup designed so I can switch maps on the fly...So If I travel in the car where no E85 is available, I just throw the other tune in the car and 60 seconds later I can change fuels... Yes this is all for performance only... But that's our hobby... It's a LOT easier than it sounds... Promise...
For the pure cooling efficiency and added octane (as for both)...
Yes, Taylor can and does tune for E85.
E85 is offered at the "Kroger" grocery store stations, here in Dallas (there are several)...
I have the setup designed so I can switch maps on the fly...So If I travel in the car where no E85 is available, I just throw the other tune in the car and 60 seconds later I can change fuels...
Yes this is all for performance only... But that's our hobby... It's a LOT easier than it sounds... Promise...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 95
From: MI
