E85 Problems?

[phm14]

I've never liked ethanol in my fuels, for the potential damage it can do. I've learned to treat fuel that goes unused for more than 2 months. I'm in the process of choosing a tune for my new Hakone, and Flex fuel set ups have come up. So what the heck, let me research a bit. This was written ~2years ago: https://fuelandfriction.com/weekend-...less-you-know/
Got me wondering about how they keep the storage tanks of this stuff fresh...It's humid in SE Texas, so not gonna be something I do.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Any car made since ~2000 that’s not a total piece of shit can handle E85 just fine, provided the fuel system flow has plenty of capacity (you need ~30% more fuel). You do need a tune for it but most cars made in the last 20 years have ethanol compatible fuel systems.

[PulsarBeeerz]

These cars have been using it since 2013, why is there a concern?

[phm14]

The article is not specific to our platform, and I have heard from a reputable contributor here, who has first hand, long term experience running E85, that he's had little to no problems. That said, there are negatives to E85, vs gasoline...availability, decreased storage life, lack of lubricity for fuel pump & fuel exposed head components, attracting water, 20-30% worse fuel economy, to name a few. Just because a particular platform designed for E15 can run E85 without many ill effects, even for years, does not mean that some component life spans are not shortened as a result. I'm glad to see all development and AM support for our platform, but E85 isn't something I want to do to my street car.

[AKITA]

Originally Posted by phm14

E85 isn't something I want to do to my street car.

But.. I love my E85

Ok seriously it's probably ok to run it every now and then. I've just started finishing up with some Perrin MAF scaling on 93/91 and carried it over and after working that out for E85 it's been a lot of fun for just a little change of adding around 10hp NA. I'm not sure I would run it continually and not so much for engine damage concerns.. it's the other with it. I live in major met area and I've got several to choice from in a 20 mile radius but they're still a little out of the way. Up north where I travel doesn't have any E85. I've seen it nearly a $1.00 cheaper than 93 around me but either way gas mileage sucks. My last calc showed 20mpg city driving, might could pull off 26 or so highway maybe. It doesn't hit ya in the pocket book so much just you drive it reguarly in a week you'll be filling that tank up every week.. spending 13-15 bucks .. because one, that last qtr tank don't last as long as it used to, and two you can't just pull over anywhere to get it. About the same in price spend 25-30 every two weeks on 93 with regular driving. But I can get it anywhere and it extends range.. so pick your poison, right now...

I'm choosin a lot of fun

[Sapphireho]

e85 Plus for me is it bumps power by 70 hp with FI.

Bummer is I get 14mpg with it.

Great thing with flex fuel kit and great tune is I can fill with either one at any time and just drive.

[phm14]

Nice to have options. If I really did need that +10 NA peak HP, I'd definitely spend the extra ~$600 for a "flex fuel" kit.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by phm14

Nice to have options. If I really did need that +10 NA peak HP, I'd definitely spend the extra ~$600 for a "flex fuel" kit.

Is 10 hp all it really does with stock setup? I had no idea, I did my kit after FI. Plus I needed fuel pump and injectors to support. It is really fun taking it to what I call "ludicrous speed" with e85. One reason I think I'm going staggered. Tires spin too easy. One reason I usually just burn 91.

[phm14]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Is 10 hp all it really does with stock setup? I had no idea, I did my kit after FI. Plus I needed fuel pump and injectors to support. It is really fun taking it to what I call "ludicrous speed" with e85. One reason I think I'm going staggered. Tires spin too easy. One reason I usually just burn 91.

One of our local experts says 20 hp on a stock car: https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81493

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by phm14

One of our local experts says 20 hp on a stock car: https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81493

Love the avitar. Cars always reminds me of the last year's of my paper route. I had a radio on my handlebars.

[AKITA]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Is 10 hp all it really does with stock setup? I had no idea, I did my kit after FI. Plus I needed fuel pump and injectors to support. It is really fun taking it to what I call "ludicrous speed" with e85. One reason I think I'm going staggered. Tires spin too easy. One reason I usually just burn 91.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81493

pretty good write up there by Steve on what combos equate to.. personally it's a good reason to dyno the car now.. since I've about finished what I would do on NA project. But obviously different mods, tune, and quality of 85 will make less or more which is why I said around... but with petrol, catless header with tune around 20 with E85 about 30.. so just added around 10 .. but the post does say that if you have all stock and go tune and E85 you get 20 then the catless header is only adding 10 .. so it appears thats volumetric efficiency and flow of the stock engine best you can do is around 230-240 total at the fly.. 190-200 at the wheels, which for most intent and purposes that's pretty enjoyable and me wanting to FI it is just greedy, but I don't know if I can help myself.

[BRZ_88]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

e85 Plus for me is it bumps power by 70 hp with FI.

Bummer is I get 14mpg with it.

Great thing with flex fuel kit and great tune is I can fill with either one at any time and just drive.

I don't know how accurate it is but my car is telling me I'm at an average 20mpg since switching to E85 with my supercharger kit.

[Lantanafrs2]

Originally Posted by BRZ_88

I don't know how accurate it is but my car is telling me I'm at an average 20mpg since switching to E85 with my supercharger kit.

Probably a little optimistic but who cares. I've calculated my ots tuned frs at 20 mpg on e85 n.a. There might be some room for fueling adjustment but I'm leaving it.

[BRZ_88]

Originally Posted by Lantanafrs2

Probably a little optimistic but who cares. I've calculated my ots tuned frs at 20 mpg on e85 n.a. There might be some room for fueling adjustment but I'm leaving it.

Honestly once gas prices get back to normal E85 will be considerably cheaper again, so 20mpg will be just as cost effective as running normal gas or very close at least.