Long term E85 use

[SubieRumble]

My suggestion is to flash to stage one 93 octane for a few weeks to get a feel for the gains, then swap in the header and flash to stage 2 93 octane. Try that for a few weeks and see if you feel like you even need the extra power. You may find that you're perfectly happy with it as is. You always have the option to switch to e85 later if you get bored; no need to rush.

Best of luck!

[redrocket89]

Thanks subierumble, I am far too impatient for the waiting to put header in thing. I'm along your same thought to just go through a tank of e85 to see what the fuss is about. Just don't want it to be a too much of a good thing is bad scenario. Love the car so far, the thing is a corner monster


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[Lantana frs]

The reason I went with e85 is the Florida weather which can really emasculate the car. I balked for awhile too and still have my fingers crossed. Lol

[DAEMANO]

I've ran e85 for 25k miles. No issues.

Good friend has run e85 for 60k+ miles. Also no issues.

[Chronology]

Running FlexFuel/Ecutek with E85 tune. No issues so far, live near 4 Propel stations and the "manufacturing plant" for Propel is about 30 min from the stations. I have seen anywhere from E90 to E75 from the same station/pump.

I think you maybe over thinking the issue, as long as your using your car frequently you shouldn't see gunk, then again I am around 5k normal miles and about 2k on the track.

If you store your car for a season, I would follow your motor storage procedures. Maybe burn all the E85 gas and then fill up 91/93 and store the car. I don't know I live in SoCal so the temps are pretty consistent all year.

[MurderousPandas]

Just be sure to change your oil more often, as E85 has been known to break down oil, i stick to about every 5k or less in miles. Otherwise, on an NA setup, the car can handle it flawlessly for years.

"Chasing speed with patience"

[guybo]

I wouldn't do it to my car even if there were E85 stations around.

Ethanol is a strong solvent and is much more electrically conductive than gas is. True flex fuel cars have special coatings on the fuel system and in the engine itself to prevent corrosion from the Ethanol. I'm not sure what the FRS has since it is made for some Ethanol but not E85. I don't think this engine will do well for 200+ miles on corn juice and to me, the extra power is not worth the reduced longevity of the engine.

Yes, there are plenty of people with 20,000+ on corn juice, but I haven't heard from higher mileage and there's no real data anyway. Some dude in a forum saying his car has been fine on it is not evidence. But I do know that ethanol is corrosive and that is a fact.

[g0lds]

Every 10th tank or so of E85 I recommend switching back to 93. E85 is notorious for causing "black goo" to build up on the injectors.

I personally do 3 tanks of 93 a year (all in succession). One tank to get the E85 out, one tank mixed with one bottle of Chevron Techron complete fuel system cleaner, and one final tank to get the chevron out. Then I'll go back to E85. Perhaps it's overkill but I'd rather not risk damaging an expensive DI component.

TL;DR - there should be no issues in running E85 so long as you switch back to 93 at least once a year for one tank

[GsxrMe]

Ive been running e85 for about 10 fillups strait. Its hard to imagine putting 93 back in my tank.

[Yardjass]

Originally Posted by guybo

I wouldn't do it to my car even if there were E85 stations around.

Ethanol is a strong solvent and is much more electrically conductive than gas is. True flex fuel cars have special coatings on the fuel system and in the engine itself to prevent corrosion from the Ethanol. I'm not sure what the FRS has since it is made for some Ethanol but not E85. I don't think this engine will do well for 200+ miles on corn juice and to me, the extra power is not worth the reduced longevity of the engine.

Yes, there are plenty of people with 20,000+ on corn juice, but I haven't heard from higher mileage and there's no real data anyway. Some dude in a forum saying his car has been fine on it is not evidence. But I do know that ethanol is corrosive and that is a fact.

This.
All I see is a bunch of speculation. "It shouldn't be a problem". "It has worked for 40k miles so it might be able to go 200." Cool, have fun with your E85 tune. I hope it isn't your daily driver that you rely on and if it isn't, I really hope you use fuel stabilizer.

[redrocket89]

Originally Posted by Yardjass

This.
All I see is a bunch of speculation. "It shouldn't be a problem". "It has worked for 40k miles so it might be able to go 200." Cool, have fun with your E85 tune. I hope it isn't your daily driver that you rely on and if it isn't, I really hope you use fuel stabilizer.

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[redrocket89]

Originally Posted by redrocket89

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My thoughts completely, was just curious if other people battled with the same thoughts on it I did. I have background in a&p and remember a lot about how fuel is burned, and even then 10 years ago. We where concerned with what's left behind after it burns. It is a cooler burning fuel, so I would love everyone to take a jar of e85 and let it evaporate, and record what's left behind. Gas will most likely leave behind a oily substance esp if you use non ethanol gas. Ethanol I would be willing to bet would leave behind a sticky substance. Just my two cents. Was merely pondering the topic as to see what other people thought. Thanks for the replies guys


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[Yardjass]

Originally Posted by redrocket89

My thoughts completely, was just curious if other people battled with the same thoughts on it I did. I have background in a&p and remember a lot about how fuel is burned, and even then 10 years ago. We where concerned with what's left behind after it burns. It is a cooler burning fuel, so I would love everyone to take a jar of e85 and let it evaporate, and record what's left behind. Gas will most likely leave behind a oily substance esp if you use non ethanol gas. Ethanol I would be willing to bet would leave behind a sticky substance. Just my two cents. Was merely pondering the topic as to see what other people thought. Thanks for the replies guys


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Ethanol is just alcohol. What it is distilled from is irrelevant. What does rubbing alcohol leave behind when it evaporates? Probably nothing? That's what I would expect with E85, plus whatever the 15% gas leaves behind.

[guybo]

I was talking to my father-in-law about E85 and running alcohol. He's been a mechanic longer than I have been alive and works for himself doing full car restorations. He knows his shit.

He ran karts in the 80's for his kids (one of whom is my wife) and he told me about converting the gas powered karts to alcohol and what he had to do and the problems with it. But they made a lot more power than the other karts. He said the oil gets thin and needs to b changed out, it dries out the rings and anything rubber has to be watched and replaced often. There was a lot of stuff he had to do. Of course modern engines are designed for some ethanol, but the question is- how much is safe to run long term in an engine not specifically designed for it?

I'm sure for relatively short term use it's fine and I don't look down on anyone who uses E85. It is a cool mod and makes power. I'm really conservative about this sort of thing and modding in general. I like to stick to the safe stuff, but that's just me.