The Oldsmobile Connection

[c_creations]

So. Ive heard stuff on this, ill post later, but first I want to hear your thoughts on it. And braket racing with E85. Pros/Cons type of a thing.

[andrewk]

The increased alcohol content will eat up the rubber stuff in the fuel system unless it is made of viton or another rubber that can handle alcohol. Thats about all I know about it.

Andrew

[88 Coupe]

Ho c_creations, hello everyone,

Quote: .......... your thoughts on it. And braket racing with E85. Pros/Cons type of a thing.
15% alcohol, 85%gasoline. Here in CA during the late '70s, it was sold, from the pump, as "gasohol". Didn't prove popular.

Based on my knowledge of gasoline and alcohol as fuels:
Lower fuel mileage in trade for cleaner emissions and a theoretical power gain. It may slightly lower radiator temps. Computers will change mixture and timing as needed. Non computer cars will need to be rejetted and retimed for max efficiency.

As far as bracket racing, you change your dial to reflect how it runs on that day anyway. If the alcohol content does make the engine run cooler, it might shorten the cooldown periods.

But then, I don't run brackets and none of my cars need to be cooled down between runs.

I would have already been using alcohol if it were available at the pump, it burns clean and cool.

Regards, Norm

[Brianritchie21787]

i did a little research on this, it looks to me... the deal with E85 is that if you use it on a motor thats not built for it, your not going to see the same numbers as you would if you had made major engine modifications like inductions and power adders, i.e. turbos and blowers, nitrous, ect. all increase volumetric efficiency of the engine thus increasing the chance for detonation. I also read that its highly corrosive. the properties of the fuel extract creates moisture and condensation so you would have to perform proper maintinance to the fuel system to prevent this
-Brian-

[Turbocharged400sbc]

Ethanol is no where near as corrosive or water loving as methanol...which is totally different....
yes you engine system should be tuned for use with E85 ethanol/gas mix as you burn almost 30% more to produce the same amount of power (it has a lower specific BTU per gallon capacity than gasoline)
this is why FFV cars/trucks have higher flowing injectors as well as fuel composition sensors so that the PCM can tune the PulseWidth of the injectors to maintain the proper A/F ratio...

I would use ethanol/methanol injection on a boosted car to lower the intake air temps and to supply the additional fuel...some racers use gas in their drag car but the nitrous system uses methanol/ethanol as its suplemental fuel...others use methanol as the primary fuel and use gasoline with the nitrous to supply the additional fuel...

the washer sprayer systems in cars have plenty of rubber components and uses (typically) a 20% mix of methanol/water (yeah that blue washer fluid) and they last for plenty long...as well as plenty of boosted guys (GTP's etc) use that same washer fluid to cool the inlet temps and keep the cylinder/EGT low enough to prevent detonation/damage...

if you have a Flexible Fuel Vehicle use E85 and calculate your $ per mile value and calculate the same with gasoline believe it or not there really isnt much savings...untill E85 becomes more common/cheaper as gas prices rise higher and higher
then the cost of a E85 conversion would probably be paid for over the life of the vehicle...

James