anyone on e85?

[uscstew]

Is there any guys out there running e85? What kind of gains are you seeing and what are you changing in the tune? What kind of timing are you running?

I'm hoping to make 330-340 HP, will a single Ford gt pump flow enough?

[X-1Mach1]

I am not running E-85 but I have read about tuning these cars to run on E-85 only and heard it makes more power but kills the gas mileage. Don't know if that is something you are worried about.

[stellasmechanic]

I think there is three on the registry. I got a mail order tune for E85 but haven't gotten the injectors for it yet. If I recall correctly, they all gained 15-25 horsepower.

I gained 15-20 horsepower throughout the powerband on my 2 valve 4.6 but it was 11.9-1 compression. Gas mileage loss was 5-10% not 30% like everyone says but again, it was a high compression two valve.

As far as timing, you really need a dyno. You are going to be able to run more timing without detonation than is beneficial. Just keep adding timing until you quite making power/Torque and thats where you should stay.

[torchredmach]

Originally Posted by uscstew

Is there any guys out there running e85? What kind of gains are you seeing and what are you changing in the tune? What kind of timing are you running?

I'm hoping to make 330-340 HP, will a single Ford gt pump flow enough?

rwhp or crank hp? what size injectors do you have?

Originally Posted by X-1Mach1

I am not running E-85 but I have read about tuning these cars to run on E-85 only and heard it makes more power but kills the gas mileage. Don't know if that is something you are worried about.

A car properly tuned for E-85 will not have the gas mileage "killed". It will reduce mileage some, yes, but it is also cheaper fuel. Depending on current gas and E-85 prices, it is sometimes cheaper to run on E-85, sometimes cheaper to run on gas.

Originally Posted by stellasmechanic

I think there is three on the registry. I got a mail order tune for E85 but haven't gotten the injectors for it yet. If I recall correctly, they all gained 15-25 horsepower.

I gained 15-20 horsepower throughout the powerband on my 2 valve 4.6 but it was 11.9-1 compression. Gas mileage loss was 5-10% not 30% like everyone says but again, it was a high compression two valve.

As far as timing, you really need a dyno. You are going to be able to run more timing without detonation than is beneficial. Just keep adding timing until you quite making power/Torque and thats where you should stay.

E-85 likes high compression. And boost. However, E-85 is not the best blend of ethanol (just a FYI). I was involved in some research showing E-50 to be a more economical blend. E-85 was a political tool to create a market for ethanol. It is the highest blend that can start efficiently in the winter (thus greatest volume of ethanol consumed). E-50 has the same octane rating, but more BTU's/gallon.

Hope this helps.

[uscstew]

im figuring the car to make 330-340 rwhp.

as far as injectors, i need to get some. would 39# be enough?

im not worried about mpg. i just want to make more power.

[Mach828]

I am.

I had my tuner put 28 degrees of timing and it didn't have any detonation. But it didn't gain any more power with more timing. Right now its at 24. My car didn't seem to like a lot of timing NA.

Your not going to see a huge gain like boosted applications.

I went from 17mpg to 15mpg. Stock injectors, I just added a svt focus fuel pump.

I'd recommend running TR55 plugs to help with cold starts. My car starts much better now with those plugs.

I never did a before and after dyno. But here is my current graph with mods in my sig.

I'm going to get my car tuned for 91 now that winter is coming. I'll have to let you know what the exact power difference is between 91 and E85. Should be tuning it next month. E85 is annoying in the winter, takes quite a bit longer to warm up.

[Mach828]

Originally Posted by uscstew

I'm hoping to make 330-340 HP

What are your mods? Thats a strong goal. You'll need longtubes and cams to reach that.

[uscstew]

Originally Posted by Mach828

What are your mods? Thats a strong goal. You'll need longtubes and cams to reach that.

Pretty close to the same setup as modularspeed. My car made 310/320 with a leaking head gasket and huge 325 radials. Puting new gaskets on and fresh heads tomorrow.

Thanks a whole lot for your info and help.

[Hmbre97]

People have a misconception that because e85 has less energy than regular gasoline, that it will kill fuel mileage. It does require 30-40% more fuel at WOT but who is at WOT the whole time they're driving? The difference isn't that much while just cruising around. It will go down some but it gets blown out of proportion.

[Mach828]

Originally Posted by Hmbre97

People have a misconception that because e85 has less energy than regular gasoline, that it will kill fuel mileage. It does require 30-40% more fuel at WOT but who is at WOT the whole time they're driving? The difference isn't that much while just cruising around. It will go down some but it gets blown out of proportion.

Me

[04Mach1Blurr]

would love to run E-85 however there just isnt enough stations available in my vicinity. and if I were to take road trips you should be planning your gas stations along the way

[stellasmechanic]

Originally Posted by Hmbre97

People have a misconception that because e85 has less energy than regular gasoline, that it will kill fuel mileage. It does require 30-40% more fuel at WOT but who is at WOT the whole time they're driving? The difference isn't that much while just cruising around. It will go down some but it gets blown out of proportion.

Some of it has to do with how much MPG matters to people. Most lose 2-4 MPG on the highway which is alot when you only get 20-25 to start with.

I will agree though, it isn't as bad as some people think. I would love to build a 12.5-1 compression motor because the mileage difference would likely be about 5% with the extra compression to make it more efficient.

[chernandez88]

I use E-85 and for what its worth down here in miami, I rather use then gas. Runs cooler and its cheaper. Additionally my friends cobra did the same cruise trip with 93 octane and did about almost the same mpg on the highway. Now WOT is a different story, but keep in mind he has 60 lb injectors while I have 160lb injectors.

[lcaptmorg]

I am getting ready to go E85 on a full bolt on car. Stock short block and heads but costom cams and PSR. Just hoping to regain a bit of torque on the low end from the shift in RPM. Hoping for 360rwhp but I will keep you guys posted when I get it all dialed in.

[bleedingfordblu]

Originally Posted by 04Mach1Blurr

would love to run E-85 however there just isnt enough stations available in my vicinity. and if I were to take road trips you should be planning your gas stations along the way

Exactly, I only know of one place with e85 around here