anyone blend e85 with gas , thoughts , formula for mixing , ideas

[mrbob]

thought about this at work today , i would think 4 gallons of e85 and fill the rest up with 10% 91 octane would raise the octane level since e85 is 105 octane , then recalibrate my vec 2 . thanks to all

 

[klamathpro]

Let us know how it goes. I had asked Sean Roe about this but he said they don't have E85 around him and he never played with it. I once threw four gallons in my wife's Continental and it ran fine.

 

[Steve M]

I'd be more worried about messing up your fuel system's internals - E85 is pretty corrosive, nasty stuff that will eat a fuel system from the inside out if it wasn't designed with it in mind.

 

[Viperless]

I'd be more worried about messing up your fuel system's internals - E85 is pretty corrosive, nasty stuff that will eat a fuel system from the inside out if it wasn't designed with it in mind.

That is a myth. It is no more corrosive than gasoline.

 

[bluesrt]

could actually eat a piston at high revs if its not tuned, putting around town,if you use it up quick(blended) may be ok,but its not worth it to gamble i would say

 

[Mad Max]

It will most likely be lean. USAC switched their Silver Crown cars from 100% methanol to Ignite racing fuel which is 90% ethanol and 10% gasoline. Methanol to gasoline is around 2 to 1. The Ignite fuel end up around 1.4 to 1. I would think you would have to adjust the fuel curve. As far the the corrosiveness we would pump out the methanol after every race and blow oil through all the fuel system, if not it would start eating on the aluminum. The Ignite fuel appears to not have any ill effects. I've had several rough cut pieces of aluminum partially submerged in the Ignite fuel in a sealed container for months and there is not any visible signs of anything happening. I'm not making any suggestions here just sharing what I know.

 

[Steve M]

That is a myth. It is no more corrosive than gasoline.

The ethanol attracts water (moreso than regular gasoline), and the water doesn't get along with metal parts (like in the fuel pump). It also does a number on rubber lines, which is also claimed to be a myth, but something I witnessed firsthand on my previous car.

 

[Mad Max]

The ethanol attracts water (moreso than regular gasoline), and the water doesn't get along with metal parts (like in the fuel pump). It also does a number on rubber lines, which is also claimed to be a myth, but something I witnessed firsthand on my previous car.

I agree on both points. The ethanol itself isn't the issue, it's the water that it attracts. Need to keep it sealed up so it can't attract moisture.
I've seen certian rubber lines show signs of being attacked and others that show no signs at all. EPDM is not affected by ethenol where Viton, Nitrile, and Buna N are.

 

[Steve M]

I agree on both points. The ethanol itself isn't the issue, it's the water that it attracts. Need to keep it sealed up so it can't attract moisture.
I've seen certian rubber lines show signs of being attacked and others that show no signs at all. EPDM is not affected by ethenol where Viton, Nitrile, and Buna N are.

Yeah, the lines I had were not happy (rubber core with stainless braid outer). The first sign was the nasty fuel vapor smell coming from them, and then I saw black stuff in the fuel bucket when I took it out. All the lines were replaced with PTFE lines after that little find. Never had the issue again.

 

[ssjcreeper]

My buddy completed a build on his Mustang Cobra recently, switching to an E85 setup for what I understand to be a benefit in cooling properties (he's running a forced induction system) and higher octane. I'm not entirely familiar with the properties of E85, but I do know his application necessitated new lines, injectors, pump, and obviously tuning. One of the key items I recall was that the E85 needed to flow at a much higher rate than if he stayed with gasoline. I would be leery of mixing in E85 without more knowledge of it's properties. My suggestion is talk to a race shop, particularly one that has significant experience with late model builds and tuning. Top concerns for me would be whether or not this creates a lean condition, additionally what would be the impact to fuel and emissions systems.

 

[Will at RSI]

With all the debate about the "equipment" needs for E85, no one really ever told you DON'T DO IT.

Mixing the E(85) with the Gas will essentially create a E(XX) version of the fuel. Once you tune for that mixture the car will run fine until you try to fill up again. Then your next batch will end up as E(YY) your tune will be off and your car will potentially detonate.

This is of course a mute point if you are running a high end engine management system like a Pectel or Motec and have a Flex fuel setup designed to modify your tune dependent on the E content.


As for the actual fuel system. You need a system capable of supporting 30-40% more fuel volume. The system should not have any bare aluminum parts, and your fuel lines should be PTFE lined. The pumps should also be the Walbro E85 version of their new 3950 pumps that are rated to 430LPH.

 

[Viperless]

Been running E85 for years in my daily driver which is a '92 model year vehicle. No problems whatsoever. I also ran it in my '99 Viper GTS with a Roe supercharger. Again, no problems.