E85 or Headers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 94
From: Chicago
E85 or Headers
C6 newbie here looking for some advice and opinions. I have a Grand Sport with ESC Novi1500 kit and everything else is stock making 530rwhp at 7psi boost. Looking to get more hp and exploring the options below.
Option 1 - convert to flex fuel to run E85. About $3300 because I need news injectors and a dual fuel pump kit installed and tuned. Hoping to get close to 590rwhp
Option 2 - long tube headers and drop pulley size about $2500 unless I can find used headers and install myself then around $1800. Hoping to get close to 575whp
Option 3 leave the damn thing as it is and not spend all this money.
Option 1 - convert to flex fuel to run E85. About $3300 because I need news injectors and a dual fuel pump kit installed and tuned. Hoping to get close to 590rwhp
Option 2 - long tube headers and drop pulley size about $2500 unless I can find used headers and install myself then around $1800. Hoping to get close to 575whp
Option 3 leave the damn thing as it is and not spend all this money.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 33
From: TN
if your ESC kit makes 7 psi at high rpm, doesn't that mean you're still using the restrictor plate? couldn't you make more power by just removing the restrictor plate and retuning? granted taht's just more power at high RPM.
your cost for E85 conversion seems very expensive, but i guess that's all up to what parts you want, and how big of a fuel system you want to pay for. for 3300 you better be getting one big a$$ fuel system with some very expensive injectors.
personally i'm a fan of ethanol on boosted cars but i'm biased.
Disclaimer: I do not own a boosted vette, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
your cost for E85 conversion seems very expensive, but i guess that's all up to what parts you want, and how big of a fuel system you want to pay for. for 3300 you better be getting one big a$$ fuel system with some very expensive injectors.
personally i'm a fan of ethanol on boosted cars but i'm biased.
Disclaimer: I do not own a boosted vette, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 94
From: Chicago
The A&A dual pump fuel kit is $1300-1500. Injectors ID1050x are $1000 and have to add another $1000 for install and tuning. Currently running 65lbs injectors and I guess they would be near 100% capacity with E85 so would need to go for larger ones.
I would assume the restrictor plate is still being used yes.
I would assume the restrictor plate is still being used yes.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 381
Likes: 58
From: Pittsburgh PA
E85 is awesome, the power is addictive and it's sad to run pump gas... but I couldn't imagine a boosted setup without headers back exhaust! I'd say go headers and install them yourself and definitely go with the Fore l3 setup and some E!!!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 381
Likes: 58
From: Pittsburgh PA
I haven't stored it an off season yet, but i am doing some reading and whatnot about e85 long term... Basically, i'm told to run pump gas through it and to store it with pump gas. Otherwise, if set up for it, no problems at all, but I don't let my car sit that long outside of the off season.
I live where it's busy and my sheetz probably goes through the e85! I had more issues finding e anywhere during roadtrips and ended up going with pump gas. The innovate gauge for ethanol percentage is great to have to see the content values of the fuels you are using.
I live where it's busy and my sheetz probably goes through the e85! I had more issues finding e anywhere during roadtrips and ended up going with pump gas. The innovate gauge for ethanol percentage is great to have to see the content values of the fuels you are using.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 360
Likes: 49
From: Ohio
Im at 740whp on e85. DSX flex fuel kit $300. DSX ZR-1 aux pump with ZR-1 sensor turned down to come on at 2-4 psi. $1040. FID 1000 injectors $720. I like the DSX set up because you don't have to rely on a Hobb Switch. Everything runs great. I don't plan on anymore power mods. Hope that helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 779
Flex fuel sensor/BAP/A&A dual/ID1300/alky dual
905/805{E68} (P1SC1)
that fuel **** ain’t cheap gents....**** ain’t nothing cheap on these cars....especially boosted...gotta pay to play....and maintaining is year round...it’s one hell of rush though ripping gears in these things🇺🇸🤙🏻
905/805{E68} (P1SC1)
that fuel **** ain’t cheap gents....**** ain’t nothing cheap on these cars....especially boosted...gotta pay to play....and maintaining is year round...it’s one hell of rush though ripping gears in these things🇺🇸🤙🏻
Last edited by 73DBG; Aug 16, 2019 at 09:19 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 4
From: Villa Park Illinois
If you have to do one or the other now, I would do E85 first. Went from 645whp to 710whp switching to E85 and supporting fuel mods. This is on a LS7 with A&A v3SI blower (5-7 psi), ported AHP heads, B&B cat back, and stock headers.
Once I got 2" headers and catted xpipe, peak HP stayed the same, and peak torque went up only 10. Under the curve, torque was up anywhere from 10-20. Way more bang for the buck with E85 on blower cars.
Once I got 2" headers and catted xpipe, peak HP stayed the same, and peak torque went up only 10. Under the curve, torque was up anywhere from 10-20. Way more bang for the buck with E85 on blower cars.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 381
Likes: 58
From: Pittsburgh PA
If you have to do one or the other now, I would do E85 first. Went from 645whp to 710whp switching to E85 and supporting fuel mods. This is on a LS7 with A&A v3SI blower (5-7 psi), ported AHP heads, B&B cat back, and stock headers.
Once I got 2" headers and catted xpipe, peak HP stayed the same, and peak torque went up only 10. Under the curve, torque was up anywhere from 10-20. Way more bang for the buck with E85 on blower cars.
Once I got 2" headers and catted xpipe, peak HP stayed the same, and peak torque went up only 10. Under the curve, torque was up anywhere from 10-20. Way more bang for the buck with E85 on blower cars.
This is accurate!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 94
From: Chicago
Sounds like everyone is in my boat. Should do headers but the power gains from E85 is too tempting.
Any concerns with long term effects of E85 on the car? I’d like to keep it for a while. Called a couple Chevy dealers and did. It recommend to convert to E85. Wouldn’t really give reasons
Any concerns with long term effects of E85 on the car? I’d like to keep it for a while. Called a couple Chevy dealers and did. It recommend to convert to E85. Wouldn’t really give reasons
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 779
Sounds like everyone is in my boat. Should do headers but the power gains from E85 is too tempting.
Any concerns with long term effects of E85 on the car? I’d like to keep it for a while. Called a couple Chevy dealers and did. It recommend to convert to E85. Wouldn’t really give reasons
Any concerns with long term effects of E85 on the car? I’d like to keep it for a while. Called a couple Chevy dealers and did. It recommend to convert to E85. Wouldn’t really give reasons
Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 360
Likes: 49
From: Ohio
My tuner charges $550. I have Hinson headers which Im very happy with. $800 and some change. If you do headers and e85 separate I would see how much the difference is getting it retuned when you add one or the other. I'm guessing your saving almost the price of the headers to do them together. You can install the headers yourself. It is very simple.