E85 | Why so popular on our cars but not others?

[themajesticone]

E85 | Why so popular on our cars but not others? Because we have a high compression ratio out the door? Why is that some sports cars (minimal amount) have the ability to utilize E85 while others don't? This would be more in the sports car spectrum - not SUV's, etc.

Has it just not caught on as a potential option?

[Akari]

Our cars are pretty well set up for a E85 conversion from the factory. Our fuel system is compatible, our injectors are sized large enough to support the extra fuel necessary and ECU learning works well to transition to it(with a proper tune). Any vehicle can be made to run on it but for the average person there's no reason to convert.

If you look at any car specific forum you'll find people using E85, it was with both the Mustang and STi forums that I was on before. Our platform draws car enthusiasts that want more power and E85 is one of the simplest ways of accomplishing that.

[themajesticone]

That makes sense. The reason I ask is because I have a friend who is swapping engines right now. He is putting a k24a2 in his 1998 integra type r. I asked him if he will maybe run a flex fuel kit on it and he said perhaps but the Honda community doesn't really use or mess with E85.

[continuecrushing]

frs owners(many) are pretty cheap.

Honda owners are cheap.

There are tons of cheap parts to make hondas go fast, but not that many cheap things to make frs fast. Therefore, one of the best bang-for-your-buck sorta things is e85.

[Allch Chcar]

It's mostly because E85 was popular with turbocharged Subaru engines prior to the twins. A number of Subaru guys contributed to discussions here over the years, especially in the early days. Granted, the high compression and direct injection make a difference but it's mostly cultural acceptance mixed with how easy it is to convert to E85. E85 is considered a no-go according to the Owner's Manual so it took a few trail blazers to try it out. So far we've only had the one report of a filter failure surrounding the low pressure fuel pump.

I've been here for a bit and that's just what I've seen. I've been asking about it for awhile but I was pleasantly surprised by the number of E85 tunes and Flexfuel kits that have come out. The NC MX-5 doesn't have this much support!

E85 is typically avoided by Imports like the plague, manufacturers and owners alike. The exception being Hondatec and the Evo crowd and the NASIOC forum. I suppose they tend to be more experimental. Domestic car owners tend to avoid it too though, most of them might have little to no exposure to E85 even though most Domestic manufacturers are making more and more Flexfuel(E85) vehicles. Imports are shipping their Flexfuel vehicles elsewhere so very few sold here are labeled for E85 use. Higher Ethanol blends are also used in Sweden and Brazil.

In my humble opinion, it's a matter of how much information and experience owners have. I've chatted with truck/muscle car guys that love it simply because they're known about or personally run alcohol for 20-30 years. And the switch to E85 is easier. On the other hand, I've talked to people who don't know the difference between E15 and E85. Remember that running 15% Ethanol is considered "controversial." Nevermind the fact that any engine running OBDII with Canbus is capable of running 30-40 even 50% Ethanol without a CEL.

[steve99]

Originally Posted by themajesticone

E85 | Why so popular on our cars but not others? Because we have a high compression ratio out the door? Why is that some sports cars (minimal amount) have the ability to utilize E85 while others don't? This would be more in the sports car spectrum - not SUV's, etc.

Has it just not caught on as a potential option?

Because for $500 you can buy an Open Flash Tablet that comes with E85 tune (as well as petrol tunes) for a stock car, no flex fuel kit required.

for other platforms you would be up for aprox $1000 for tune then a flex fuel kit and fitting close to another $1000 .

E85 on FRS/BRZ/86 = $500 cheapest NA horsepower around and easily reversable to stock in minutes.

Other's cars probably $2000 so generally reserved for forced induction guys who have already spent big.

[Atropine]

Originally Posted by steve99

Because for $500 you can buy an Open Flash Tablet that comes with E85 tune (as well as petrol tunes) for a stock car, no flex fuel kit required.

for other platforms you would be up for aprox $1000 for tune then a flex fuel kit and fitting close to another $1000 .

E85 on FRS/BRZ/86 = $500 cheapest NA horsepower around and easily reversable to stock in minutes.

Other's cars probably $2000 so generally reserved for forced induction guys who have already spent big.

I was going to say exactly what you said...thanks for saving me the time lol

[danman2_2999]

Originally Posted by steve99

E85 on FRS/BRZ/86 = $500 cheapest NA horsepower around and easily reversable to stock in minutes.

Hey it might be a dumb question but what is the process for your gas tank when you have regular 91+ gas in there and then start using E85 for a while then reverse back?

Do you just manually swap out the fuel, and change the different MAP or whatever setting on the tablet?

[steve99]

Originally Posted by danman2_2999

Hey it might be a dumb question but what is the process for your gas tank when you have regular 91+ gas in there and then start using E85 for a while then reverse back?

Do you just manually swap out the fuel, and change the different MAP or whatever setting on the tablet?

check out the links below their is noe for E85 on stock car and procedure to change over it pretty simple un tank down to low fuel light fill with 85 flash 85 map see links for exact steps

e85 stuff is about a page down in first link