E-85

[Stalker]

So I discovered this week that my wifes Commander can run E-85. Currently e-85 is about .60 cheaper per gallon than regular gas. I know nothing about it. I've heard that it puts more wear and tear on the engine and that it burns at a significantly faster rate than regular fuel. Is any of that true?

Online I found it burns at a faster rate, but nothing really to say how much faster. Is it fast enough to negate any cost savings per gallon?

 

[02GTVert]

I think it is about 25-30%

 

[CableGuy]

So I discovered this week that my wifes Commander can run E-85. Currently e-85 is about .60 cheaper per gallon than regular gas. I know nothing about it. I've heard that it puts more wear and tear on the engine and that it burns at a significantly faster rate than regular fuel. Is any of that true?

Online I found it burns at a faster rate, but nothing really to say how much faster. Is it fast enough to negate any cost savings per gallon?

I know nothing about it putting more wear on the engine.

Though, it does get about 30% less economy(mpg) than gasoline.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Cheaper to buy, but less efficient. A lot of the guys I know run E85 in their cars, but it's just so they can run more boost (higher octane).

 

[FlyLike]

cheaper but it requires about 25% more fuel. However, the octane rating is about 110 and it cools the intake charge due to it being alcohol.

 

[4 cam tbird]

The added wear tot he engine is ridiculous but it does impact fuel economy, as stated. No real reason to run it. There is a reason they make them flex fuel though, it is a HUGE CAFE benefit.

 

[OnyxSSS]

run out a tank of reg and then take 30% of that and thers's your e85 milage.

I have also hear guys running e85 inplace of meth to futher cool a bossted intake charge.

 

[WhiteHawk]

At $3 per gallon, I wouldn't buy E85 if it was over $2.09. When gas gets in the mid - $3's you usually can hit a break even point where it makes sense.

When gas spiked a few years back, E85 actually worked out as a better deal. Probably put about 5 tanks through my truck. When gas is cheap, it is never a deal though.

-Geoff

 

[DarkoStoj]

how does it wear the engine more? Looks good to me

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=143372&highlight=e85+wear+eric

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUZ0FNQsjlE&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- MVI 0040[/ame]

 

[Dr. Teeth]

That piston looks funny in what would be about the 7 o'clock position. What's that?

 

[jsxtreme]

I use to put it in my Silverado. I got about 3 or 4 mpg less on it, but it ran better and made more power.

 

[cjmatt]

how does it wear the engine more? Looks good to me

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=143372&highlight=e85+wear+eric

YouTube- MVI 0040

It causes higher exhaust temps generally, thats why most E85 cars run inconel valves. I dont keep motors together long enough to make a difference though. Im not trying to get 100k out of a toy

 

[91trunk]

I use to put it in my Silverado. I got about 3 or 4 mpg less on it, but it ran better and made more power.

Remember the picture messages? :lol:

I use to run it when I had my truck tuned for 93*. Running e-85 was cheaper and it ran better. Right now the dollar difference isn't enough. This Summer when it hits mid 3's it might be worth it.

 

[Stalker]

that leads to my next question. My Charger is tuned to 93. What does it take for a car to run E-85? Charger already gets shit for mileage (City driving it gets 10.5 mpg).

 

[91trunk]

that leads to my next question. My Charger is tuned to 93. What does it take for a car to run E-85? Charger already gets shit for mileage (City driving it gets 10.5 mpg).

Don't even think about it unless it's already set up for e-85. True e-85 has a great octane level, but it's very expensive to change your car over. The cost out weighs the gains.

 

[Stalker]

ok. this thread is done. Do with it as you wish! I'll wait for gas to go up then I'll worry about running E-85 in the Commander.

 

[cjmatt]

ok. this thread is done. Do with it as you wish! I'll wait for gas to go up then I'll worry about running E-85 in the Commander.

yup, its pointless in a naturally aspirated application. But to answer your question, all you need to run it in a new car is injectors and a fuel pump that will flow 30-40% more, and a tune. It ran great in my Grand National

 

[91trunk]

yup, its pointless in a naturally aspirated application. But to answer your question, all you need to run it in a new car is injectors and a fuel pump that will flow 30-40% more, and a tune. It ran great in my Grand National

Right!!!!!! Because that's the only difference between a non-e85 car and an e85 car. :lol:

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Don't even think about it unless it's already set up for e-85. True e-85 has a great octane level, but it's very expensive to change your car over. The cost out weighs the gains.

Yeah, it's not just about putting the different type of gas or even tuning for it...it's all the fuel lines, injectors, pumps, etc...Ethanol will tear up a normal fuel system pretty quickly.

 

[91trunk]

Yeah, it's not just about putting the different type of gas or even tuning for it...it's all the fuel lines, injectors, pumps, etc...Ethanol will tear up a normal fuel system pretty quickly.

Yep

There are a few major differences between FFVs and non-FFVs. One is the elimination of bare magnesium,aluminum, and rubber parts in the fuel system.

Another is that fuel pumps must be capable of operating with electrically conductive ethanol instead of non-conducting dielectric gasoline fuel.

Fuel injection control systems have a wider range of pulse widths to inject approximately 40% more fuel.

Stainless steel fuel lines, sometimes lined with plastic, and stainless steel fuel tanks in place of terne fuel tanks are used.

In some cases, FFVs use acid-neutralizing motor oil.

For vehicles with fuel-tank mounted fuel pumps, additional differences to prevent arcing, as well as flame arrestors positioned in the tank's fill pipe, are also sometimes used.

Just add a different pump and increase the fuel rate :roll: