E85 - Has anyone tried it?
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SHOtime2511
CGP
Don't try it,unless you do some serious mods.
The SHO fuel system is not designed for E85.
The SHO fuel system is not designed for E85.
SHOtimer
#2910
...I think in order to run it you need to have special gas lines/tank made specifically for it and so forth. From what I heard (I forget where), if you don't it will eat through your system.
The Ford flexfuel cars can take it, but I don't think the SHO's or any non-flexfuel car can.
Doug
The Ford flexfuel cars can take it, but I don't think the SHO's or any non-flexfuel car can.
Doug
Unless you're boosted, you are likely to be wasting time after a tune. I have been considering E85 for my SHO as I am currently converting my STi to E85. I wouldn't be surprised if a boosted SHO gaing 100+ whp from E85 and a tune. I've been talking to DeatschWorks about having some large high impedence units made out of my Accel injectors. I have a set of their 850cc (80+ lbs/hr) injectors on order for the STi.
The STi guys are seeing 200F drops in EGT's with E85 but spool is better because of the extra volume. E85 loves the summer heat too!
The STi guys are seeing 200F drops in EGT's with E85 but spool is better because of the extra volume. E85 loves the summer heat too!
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projectSHO89
SHOless In St L
Just DON'T do it!
If the system isn't designed for E85, you WILL screw something up!
Stupid idea!
If the system isn't designed for E85, you WILL screw something up!
Stupid idea!
nothingtoseehere
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Why would you even want to?
rbruso
unlikely
Modern fuel systems are already capable of handling e85. It was older cars that really had problems with the fuel lines, as they quickly broke down under the assault of the alcohol. For years now, more and more alcohol (up to about 10-15%) has been added to standard gas, so it's been in the automakers' best interests to ensure the fuel systems are alcohol stable. The more parts that are able to handle flex fuel, the fewer parts need to be specific to a particular model.
That said, you'll need larger injectors and (probably) a higher rate fuel pump. Ethanol has a much lower energy density than gasoline (about 70-80%), as well as a different ideal stoichiometric ratio. You will also NEED to have a reprogrammed computer for the same reasons.
Also, alcohol tends to clean up any varnish that has slowly deposited in your fuel lines, so on an older car you really want to take your fuel system apart and flush it out to keep from accidentally clogging an injector later.
As for why: Ethanol, even mixed as e85, still has an effective octane rating of 100+. This octane rating can allow higher static compression ratios or more aggressive timing. The vast majority of e85 capable cars on the road are tuned for gasoline with the ability to run e85 in a pinch. For these cars you'll definitely take a hit on economy and power making the switch. Koenigsegg makes a car (CXXR) that develops a 'mere' 806 hp on gasoline, upping to 1018hp when switched to e85.
For a road car with factory e85 capabilities, stick with gasoline unless e85 is dirt cheap.
For a road or track car with extensive reprogramming, higher CR, and dyno time to compensate, you could have fun with e85. It, like any hobby, lies in the interests and capabilities of the person involved. And, like any hobby, outsiders will consider you crazy for doing it.
I'll ignore the current politics of ethanol, as someone else will likely take that rant and run with it.
That said, you'll need larger injectors and (probably) a higher rate fuel pump. Ethanol has a much lower energy density than gasoline (about 70-80%), as well as a different ideal stoichiometric ratio. You will also NEED to have a reprogrammed computer for the same reasons.
Also, alcohol tends to clean up any varnish that has slowly deposited in your fuel lines, so on an older car you really want to take your fuel system apart and flush it out to keep from accidentally clogging an injector later.
As for why: Ethanol, even mixed as e85, still has an effective octane rating of 100+. This octane rating can allow higher static compression ratios or more aggressive timing. The vast majority of e85 capable cars on the road are tuned for gasoline with the ability to run e85 in a pinch. For these cars you'll definitely take a hit on economy and power making the switch. Koenigsegg makes a car (CXXR) that develops a 'mere' 806 hp on gasoline, upping to 1018hp when switched to e85.
For a road car with factory e85 capabilities, stick with gasoline unless e85 is dirt cheap.
For a road or track car with extensive reprogramming, higher CR, and dyno time to compensate, you could have fun with e85. It, like any hobby, lies in the interests and capabilities of the person involved. And, like any hobby, outsiders will consider you crazy for doing it.
I'll ignore the current politics of ethanol, as someone else will likely take that rant and run with it.
Shoaz
Studly dood
I think all but the newest SHOs fall under the category of "older cars".
The amount of ethanol in E15 isn't enough to cause the serious degradation that is seen with higher concentrations, like E85. And ethanol is only added to gas in some places, not all, so many people have never run anything but 100% gasoline and wouldn't know whether ethanol was going to cause them any trouble.
Tuning for it would be easy, however, making use if it would be an issue to MOST SHOs as they won't have any need for it. HIGH compression builds and boosted builds will see HUGE gains.
I would replace the lines, new injectors/pump and possibly anodize the fuel rails. If you did do this with an NA car, you would only need about 30% bigger injectors. A boosted car would likely need in the 80 - 100+ lbs/hr injectors.
I would replace the lines, new injectors/pump and possibly anodize the fuel rails. If you did do this with an NA car, you would only need about 30% bigger injectors. A boosted car would likely need in the 80 - 100+ lbs/hr injectors.
Well, I was just thinking about it when I was filling up last night. I do a LOT of highway driving for work, and the cost of the E85 would help save a few bucks. But, I'm not going to risk the fuel savings if it means blowing my car up.
Like I said, I was just wondering if anyone had tried it.
Like I said, I was just wondering if anyone had tried it.
E85 may be cheaper, but it requires more fuel in the mixture. You will see a decrease in mileage and have to fill up more often. If you're just doing long road trips, your best fuel would likely be gasoline.
Essentially, there would likely be no savings (you'd probably lose money) in the end and you'd be limiting yourself to the stations you can fill up at.
Essentially, there would likely be no savings (you'd probably lose money) in the end and you'd be limiting yourself to the stations you can fill up at.
SHOtime2511
CGP
what a joke.
I have a feeling E85 is more of a subsidization for corn farmers than anything else.
Not corn farmers, though they benefit from the higher corn prices, but a subsidy for the ethanol producers. More government brought to you by business, in this case ADM. Ethanol producers get $0.50 a gallon of our taxpayers money to make the stuff.
sho_sc
New Member
Interesting that you mention this ... there is fellow that is going Land Speed Race his Gen 1 Talon and he is running some insane boost level (35-40 psi). However the rule book doesn't allow E85 in the production classes, so he is switching to VP Import fuel. Now the clincher is that he "had" been running 200# injectors, now he has to switch to something small that can withstand the additives in the VP race fuel.
pjtoledo
'ol man in the SHO
I've tried it in my flex-fuel Ranger. Mileage went from bad to horrible. Even when E85 is 30 cents a gallon cheaper, it's still not even close to being cost effective.
as an aside, if you really like to experiment with things........
since alcohol easily absorbs water, dump some good 'ol H2O in a tank full of E85 and tell us if a "poor man's water injection" really works. that ought lower the EGTs a bit!!
Perry
as an aside, if you really like to experiment with things........
since alcohol easily absorbs water, dump some good 'ol H2O in a tank full of E85 and tell us if a "poor man's water injection" really works. that ought lower the EGTs a bit!!
Perry
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