Expectations/Needs to Switch to E85 on a Supercharger

[Pneub]

I was hoping you guys could give me some advice on running E85. I really don't know much about it or what to expect. From what I've gathered I need to up my injectors to the 1000cc range and get retuned. I have E85 gas all around me but there will always be instances when I need to switch over to regular gas. I'm running Ecutek right now as my piggyback.

Questions:
1) How easy is it to switch between gas and E85. If i'm low on E85 and there isn't a station near by what sort of process do I need to go through to switch back to gas.
2) What type of controller is popular to use between maps?
3) Besides injectors and a controller are there other parts/upgrades I need to consider.
4) My car right now is at 235whp/190tq (coming from 150whp base). What should I reasonably expect in power if I switch to E85? I've heard somewhere around another 50/50.

Thanks for the info.

[xxscaxx]

First off, what supercharger are you running? judging by the numbers i'm assuming Innovate.

1-2. If you are running a charger you must be using some tuning platform. EcuTek? If so you can either manually switch maps via map switching, or if your tuner doesn't use that, you will have to swap out maps (meaning connect and upload a map every time you want to switch). Or you can use a flex fuel kit which is honestly your best bet if you will be switching around all the time.

If you go with the first option, you would have to run down as low as you can with e85, and then just fill up with 93, and switch over to that map. This is why flex fuel kits are nice because you don't have to wait to run the tank down, or worry about having too much e85 in your 93 fuel when switching, etc.

There is no controller per say, i'm not sure how BRZ Edit works but as far as EcuTek goes you can switch between 4 maps on the fly.

3. I'd highly suggest a fuel pump. I just did a writeup on the deastchwerks pump. Look up my thread in the DIY section. Depending on power, you will need to upgrade your clutch.

4. Check out Moto-Easts thread, they just did dyno tunes of the Innovate SC with 93 compared to e85. I can't recall the torque but they went from 220~ to 260whp from 93/e85.

It really depends on your power goals and what your supercharger is even capable of regarding injector size. I bought 540cc injectors for my innovate supercharger so I can run e85. This is something I would discuss with your tuner.

[Pneub]

I'm running the HKS supercharger, I'm currently using Ecutek, and already have the deastchwerks fuel pump installed as well as a new clutch.

Unfortunately I'm in Cali so I'm stuck using 91 octane so switching between maps will be required.

I believe my charger is rated 400+ and my tuner said I would need 1000cc injectors. I assume he meant the deastchwerks 900cc.

Thanks for the heads up on switching between fuels. Seems like I just need my injectors and a new map and I'll be set.

[xxscaxx]

I'd listen to whatever your tuner has to say. He will be the one tuning it so whatever he prefers/likes i'd go with.

Forgot about just having 91 out there..so you should have a bigger bump in power from the E85.

Seems like your pretty much set though other than injectors.

[Pneub]

Yea I'm still waiting to get more info from them but wanted to get more informed on the requirements and expectations before venturing any further.

[wparsons]

Visconti (and I believe FA20Club as well?) sell a flex fuel kit so you don't have to worry about what happens when you switch from e85 to normal gas or vice versa. It actually measures the ethanol content and adjusts the maps accordingly.

You'll probably also need a higher flowing fuel pump as well unless you already upgraded it.

[Foobar]

+1 on going with FA20Club or Visconti's FlexFuel kits - no need to manually switch back and forth, just fill it up with whatever fuel is available, in whatever mix, and let the FlexFuel controller determine what map settings to use.

I don't think anyone has used E85 with an HKS charger yet, so you'll be the first, but another centrifugal setup using Vortech with E85, pump, injectors, and 12PSI of boost ended up with 365WHP/261TQ.

[swift996]

Pump and Injectors should be suffice (I think 700cc is more than enough)

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by Pneub

I believe my charger is rated 400+ and my tuner said I would need 1000cc injectors. I assume he meant the deastchwerks 900cc.

I would find a new tuner. Unless he is solely using the port injectors, there is no way you need injectors that big to hit 400 whp on E85. It sounds like a flex fuel setup would be best for you, but not all the EcuTek tuners have figured out how to use one yet. I would recommend you get in contact with one of the EcuTek tuners offereing flex fuel and go from there.

[Pneub]

I'm really confident in my tuner and the people who work on my car. I'm waiting to hear back from them to see what they say. The flex fuel setup sounds fantastic though. If I could see something like 300whp at 9psi I'd be thrilled.