What...Wait..E85? Seriously
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,503
Likes: 1,818
From: Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '17,'22 thru '26
Okay, but that's another story. This thread seems to be about the stock C8, is higher octane really any advantage?
The C7 Z06 with GM'S ECU update installed and all C7 ZR1's utilize 100 octane without tuning.
The C7 Z06 with GM'S ECU update installed and all C7 ZR1's utilize 100 octane without tuning.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
I occasionally run e35 in my vette. 5 or 6 gallons of e85 and the rest 93 oct. The e85 is about a dollar a gallon cheaper too. I cant really feel a daily difference when running it but in the summer I will try a launched control and see how it does. I already did a 2.9 with just the normal gas and that was before catback. So will see in a few months as Im in Washington state and its gloomy and rainy as hell for awhile. question though, how may miles should I run the new mix before trying the launch?
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,120
Likes: 7,414
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
E85 fuel is cheaper than gasoline BUT you will get less fuel mileage per tank so you won't save any money if that is your idea, you will get a bump in horsepower with a proper tune & a proper flex fuel system
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,751
Likes: 2,500
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I did it once by accident on one of my daily driver cars. I didn't panic. In a mile or two I got a check engine light. Once I dropped to 3/4 full, I added high octane. I did that every time I got to 3/4 full and a few days later the check engine light cleared and I never had any problem in the future. The computers are very robust, and I learned that it will adjust the timing to compensate, in this case retard. The check engine appears as the computer has hit near its limit of the timing spec window. My Vette mechanic explained it will not damage anything as most all fuel system components in most cars are designed to handle alcohol within reasonable limits but still noted the fuel recommended by GM should always be used.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,337
Likes: 5,113
From: Charles Town WV
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,529
Likes: 1,943
From: Austin Texas
The only reason there is ethanol in fuel is because politicians voted for it to get the farm-vote.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,523
I am not telling you what to put (or not) into your own car. I am telling you that the other thread I linked above has a lot of good information in it about using E85 to get to E30 in these cars.
Why Closed-Loop Systems Can Handle E30
1. Adaptive Fuel Management:
Links to studies:Most modern vehicles can run E30 effectively, the legal and warranty implications are the key reasons automakers stick to E10/E15 recommendations. If you’re willing to accept these risks, the technology in your car is more than capable.
Why Closed-Loop Systems Can Handle E30
1. Adaptive Fuel Management:
- Closed-loop systems use oxygen sensors and real-time feedback to adjust air-fuel mixtures. This allows them to compensate for the higher oxygen content in E30, which can result in a leaner burn if unadjusted.
- E30 has a higher octane rating (around 94-96), which allows the engine to handle advanced timing and increased compression without knocking. This can improve performance and efficiency in engines designed to take advantage of higher-octane fuel.
- Studies, such as those from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Department of Energy (DOE), suggest that many post-2001 vehicles (approved for E15) can tolerate E30. Testing often shows no significant wear or damage, with some vehicles even achieving cleaner emissions.
Links to studies:Most modern vehicles can run E30 effectively, the legal and warranty implications are the key reasons automakers stick to E10/E15 recommendations. If you’re willing to accept these risks, the technology in your car is more than capable.
LOL, It's WAY different than a bolt on mod. No catback is going to degrade any other parts of the car. Ethanol just might.
Last edited by Red Mist Rulz; Jan 1, 2025 at 12:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,067
Likes: 1,128
From: Pasadena Texas
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 648
Likes: 358
Re ethanol corn and food - ethanol is not made from human edible corn nor does growing its source corn affect food prices. Additionally modern processes create ethanol with more energy than it takes to produce and reduces oil usage by over 1 million barrels per day reducing the need for military use to procure/secure oil. It originally was a gimmee to farmers 15 years ago but today is very beneficial to environment and security.