dal1307

iTrader: (1)

Some E85 Information:

From Wikipedia "difference between E85 and gasoline"
One complication is that use of gasoline in an engine with a high enough compression ratio to use E85 efficiently would likely result in catastrophic failure due to engine detonation, as the octane rating of gasoline is not high enough to withstand the greater compression ratios in use in an engine specifically designed to run on E85. Use of E85 in an engine designed specifically for gasoline would result in a loss of the potential efficiency that it is possible to gain with this fuel. Using E85 in a gasoline engine has the drawback of achieving lower fuel economy as more fuel is needed per unit air (stoichiel ratio) to run the engine in comparison with gasoline. This corresponds to a lower heating value (units of energy per unit mass) for E85 than gasoline. Some vehicles can actually be converted to use E85 despite not being specifically built for it. Because of the lower heating value E85 has a cooler intake charge, which coupled with its high stability level from its high octane rating, has also been used as a "power adder" in turbocharged performance vehicles. These modifications have not only resulted in lower GHG emissions, but also resulted in 10-12% horsepower and torque increase at the wheels. Because of its low price (less than $2.00/gal in some places) and high availability in certain areas people have started to turn to using it in place of the high end race fuels that typically cost over $10.00/gal.

E85 in standard engines - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

xyz

iTrader: (1)

noob question: how are evos and stis able to run e85 after a tune? and they have the ability to switch the maps back and forth between e85 and regular 91/93 maps.

speedracer g37

iTrader: (4)

my explorer is flex fuel and can run either e10 or e85. as far as the evo and sti, i would imagine that turbo cars with larger injectors and fuel pump have more adjustability to be able to run e85 on a different tune.

dal1307

iTrader: (1)

With an Uprev tune you can have multiple maps stored and switch between them. Here is a thread from my370Z.com that talks about switching between multiple maps.

UpRev tune... Changing maps? - Nissan 370Z Forum

QuickSilver08

If I could figure out a way to do it and have infiniti put a new engine in I'd do it in heartbeat.

And yes, I have no problem screwing over dealerships with warranty work. They screw me, I screw them.

xyz

iTrader: (1)

So I guess theoretically as long as the car's tuned for it (turbo or not), and have the necessary helper mods (bigger injectors etc.), any car can benefit from E85 w/o damaging the engine?

dal1307

iTrader: (1)

I guess it depends on what you mean by benefit. You can run higher levels of boost due to the cooler temperature with E85. I agree that this would be a benefit. For all vehicles, you will end up getting lower MPG which may be offset by the lower cost per gallon of E85 but you would have to run those numbers at current prices to determine how much benefit you would realize. I guess that you could tune more aggressively with non-FI also but I don't know how much of a benefit you would get in that scenario. It is very interesting though in terms of performance. No matter what, the MPG is going to be lower.

s2ktoEvo

The other thing to think about is e85 availability. I don't think there is one station in NJ that has e85

dal1307

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, we did not have one close by until about 3 years ago. It is only 2 miles from my house but it is the only one I know of in my immediate area.

350z_drifter

I would have to agree you would have to get larger injector
Fuel pump and a e85 device .
I believe every gas station is 10% ethanol 85 87 91

350z_drifter

Yes as long to upgrade the necessary parts and tune you should have no problem
A year ago a camaro 2000-up can't remember what year A local performance shop called MAC autosports install E85 kit no issues ran clean emission and the drive said he notice a slight increase in power

Mkai0

Switching to E85 on an NA car would not be worth it in my opinion. Yes, it is cheaper up front, but do some research on how much your gas mileage will suffer. Now if going FI'd, E85 is a very great and cheap alternative to race gas.

YellowJacket

There are still a few stations that sell 100% gas. I have a few locally that I buy from however, they are starting to charge a substantial premium over the cost of their gas blends with ethanol, as much as 0.60/gal more.

I ran a 1 month test of 1 week rotations between 100% gas and gas with ethanol and the consistent end result after each week was 21.4 mpg with blended gas and 24.4 mpg with 100% gas.

The driving was fairly consistent interstate driving back and forth to work with about 80 mph on the way in in the morning and 50 mph on the way home interstate both ways. I would fill up at near empty and essentially disregard the results of the first tankful because there was probably still a couple gallons with blended gas or 100% gas. The results were consistent and reproducible. Calculations were done both via the cars computer and calculating from fillup to second time the pump shuts off/miles driven.

Decided not to continue the test after today because the blended premium was $3.09 at my local Kroger and $4.11 for premium 100% gas at my local weigles which negates any savings.

David

keraxis

E85 flashed 30% faster than regular fuel. You would need to run a afr of about 8:1. Because of this it is basically race fuel. To do this on your car you would need a full tune. 30% larger e85 injecters (minimum) and an e85 fuel pump. Ethonol also eats rubber. This is why you need the specific ones so your pump and injectors wont fail. Heres why its nice though.. look at these trq numbers.