E85 on SHO motor....who's done it?
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92greenmtx
New Member
Just curious.....about to stick a newer motor into my 95 and have contemplated running it on E85.
Cheers
Its interesting that you posted this question right now. I started about a month ago and am currently building a 94 SHO project car. I have a zero mile 89' crate motor that will be the power plant. I decided a few days ago that I want to run E85 and I am currently working with Dan Schoneck (the guy in this article: http://www.carcraft.com/featuredvehicles/ccrp_0903_2007_ford_shelby_gt500_1000_hp_on_e85/index.html ) on converting my 94' to do exactly that. Most of Dans E85 conversion tuning has been on 05' and newer so we will be venturing into new territory with EECIV but the basics are the same. I will keep you all posted as I go
NebraskaSHO
Harumph!
You are going to run E85 on that new old stock motor???
St Louis SHO
Rollin' coal
Besides the fact that its cheaper
What happens if you take a road trip? Also, E85 nets you about 10-15% less fuel mileage.
Inkertinker
Well-Known Member
Lower gas mileage.
It's cheaper most places, but you burn more fuel (30% bigger injectors over gas). Be careful, some places charge the same for E85 as gas. Let's not forget the initial cost for injectors, pump, lines, TUNE, etc.
E85 is a GREAT for power, but spending money to convert for lower cost per gallon could cost you more. My STi will be a wash for cost/mileage, but I can't go on long trips without routing E85 stations and/or switching to a gas tune.
E85 is a GREAT for power, but spending money to convert for lower cost per gallon could cost you more. My STi will be a wash for cost/mileage, but I can't go on long trips without routing E85 stations and/or switching to a gas tune.
92greenmtx
New Member
I am fully aware of the fuel cost difference, mpg decrease, conversion costs, and the availability of E85. I am a Ford tech so I work with Flex Fuel vehicles daily and have seen the disadvantages of ethanol first hand. I live in southern MN farm country so many of my friends/family are farmers or in the farming industry. I also am interested in doing a small part in the big "Independence of foreign oil" picture. After I thought of possibly converting my SHO to e85 I ran a search in this forum to see how many SHOs were running on ethanol. Turns out basically nobody (that I have found) has done or tried it for a road car. Also There were a bunch of posts of people saying not to do it, waist of time, will ruin your fuel system, start the car on fire . . .etc. I guess thats what really made me decide to go ahead with it. My first goal is to make it work. Second goal is to make 300 fhp with a N/A sho running on corn.
I have already converted my diesel excursion to run on all kinds of waist oil and its worked well for the last 70k miles. Seems like this is the next step.
I do value any input anyone has to share on the subject. I am a ****** to the twEECer but from what I understand so far the 4 position switch gives you three different tunes plus stock. Is there any reason I cant make one tune for E85 and another tune for petro?
I have already converted my diesel excursion to run on all kinds of waist oil and its worked well for the last 70k miles. Seems like this is the next step.
I do value any input anyone has to share on the subject. I am a ****** to the twEECer but from what I understand so far the 4 position switch gives you three different tunes plus stock. Is there any reason I cant make one tune for E85 and another tune for petro?
Damn, lots o' posts.
Here's why I want to do it. NOS....85 shot.....and using the E85 to leave a safe margin of error since its essentialy 102octane or so.
Also, it's everywhere in Denver.....so as a commuter i'd basically get more power for no cost difference in fuels (25% less fuel mileage, but 25% less fuel cost).
Cheers.
Here's why I want to do it. NOS....85 shot.....and using the E85 to leave a safe margin of error since its essentialy 102octane or so.
Also, it's everywhere in Denver.....so as a commuter i'd basically get more power for no cost difference in fuels (25% less fuel mileage, but 25% less fuel cost).
Cheers.
It takes a alot of that foreign oil to produce E85.
. That's just it... Without making a radical NA motor (way more than bolt-ons), you're not going to be better off with the E85 for power.
4 tunes and an off position. Yes, that's what the switch is for. Unless you have really good tunes, you'll want to clear the computer when you switch over to a different fuel/tune.
It's actually 105 for octane rating. "NOS" will naturally cool the charge and you can handle more than an 85 shot on a stock long block.
Have you factored in the cost to convert? You won't be saving money for a long time. If you plan to drive the car in winter, you'll need another tune for gas or winter blended "E85".
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stangracr67
Member
See this is the bad thing about this forum. A guy asks a simple question and just ends up with a bunch of negative comments. Hes looking for advice on how to do it not reasons not to. I'd be interested in what you come up with. I am working on what will be a boosted project and all my buddies swear by E85.
It's not being negative, but being a realist. If you want to convert to E85, swap the fuel pump, injectors, fuel lines, possibly the FPR and tune. It's that simple and isn't much different than converting any other newer car.
What I am getting at is that if you're doing it to save money, you'd better look further into it. If you're doing it for power, you're not going to see a big gain on a bolt-on/stock SHO motor.
Boost is another story.
What I am getting at is that if you're doing it to save money, you'd better look further into it. If you're doing it for power, you're not going to see a big gain on a bolt-on/stock SHO motor.
Boost is another story.
Your advice is exactly what I was looking for.
I forget about the thermodynamic qualities of N20 and how it cools the intake charge significantly.
Just curious if anyone had run E85 and n20 together and see good results to make it worthwhile.
How do they calculate the RON/MON rating on E85? I remember guys saying it was 105 octane, but because the Ethanol dissolves into the Octane(gasoline), you have to take the gasoline component and divid it by the ethanol?
Cheers..thanks for the good info.
Just a quickie..what clutch would you recommend using on a 85-100 shot? Will a Daikin/Exedy OEM do the trick? Cheers!
SHOtime2511
CGP
If you want to convert to an alt. fuel,go with CNG if you have stations in your area.
I would not go stock. I would go at least for a South Bend Stage 1 clutch: SHO Source
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