Fuel mileage and overall cost of burning E85

Alky V6

Let's go racing, boyz!
Joined
Jul 29, 2001
Question for those using E85. I bumped into a fella at the track that started sharing his experience with E85 in a purely street application. He told me that he switched back to gasoline because of the poor mileage and overall cost of running the E85 fuel. What has been the experience, fuel mileage and overall cost wise, of those of you using E85 for the street? Never mind the performance side of it, just the economics of burning E85.
 
A buddy of mine used it in his Ranger and went back to gas as well. He said he got such poor mileage out of the E85, he didn't save anything... plus he had to stop for gas more often.
 
running straight E85, my regal would lose about 25% of it's mileage- but as long as it costs 25% less at the pump, it's a wash, cost wise. i just needed to stop more often.
however, running it mixed 50/50 with 87 octane, i don't lose any mileage- so my cost per mile goes down, and i don't need to stop any more frequently that running straight gas.
but, as the saying goes, your mileage may vary...
 
Yep, You will lose out on mileage for sure, But if you were to compare it to Torco 110 at the pump for $6.00 per gal you come out way ahead using E85. I triped the odometer when i filled up and i have used an 1/4 tank and i seem to have gotten around 40 miles so far, and thats with the occasional 1/8 mile blast:biggrin: :D :eek: So if you ever want mileage you don't want to use E85. But if you mix it 50/50 you will come out about the same if you were to use 93 octane for mileage @ over $4.00 per gal. E85 here is $3.25 per gal. I can say that so far it has been the best change that i have done so far, so that i can run higher boost and not have the worries about things going wrong. Just my .02 cents:)
 
Question for those using E85. I bumped into a fella at the track that started sharing his experience with E85 in a purely street application. He told me that he switched back to gasoline because of the poor mileage and overall cost of running the E85 fuel. What has been the experience, fuel mileage and overall cost wise, of those of you using E85 for the street? Never mind the performance side of it, just the economics of burning E85.

I lost about 25%/30% after the switch. But I made the change for the performance of the E85. I don't drive my car much on the street, so it doesn't matter to me much. 28/29lb boost No Knock for $3.39 gallon. Can't beat it!
 
I lost about 25%/30% after the switch. But I made the change for the performance of the E85. I don't drive my car much on the street, so it doesn't matter to me much. 28/29lb boost No Knock for $3.39 gallon. Can't beat it!

If the car was a daily driver, would you still be burning it?
 
I just pumped 8 gallons of e85 this evening. $3.49 per gallon. I have mixed it with 87 and 91 octane at 50 -60%. My car seems happier with the 87 . Mileage went down 2 mpg over 100% 91 octane. 20psi with zero knock and 45 daily driven miles each day. I would never switch back and will be at 100% as soon as I can upgrade injectors and fuel system. ( 100% duty cycle comes Quick :eek: !! ) Plus it just smells awesome when I'm stuck in traffic.:biggrin:
 
I just pumped 8 gallons of e85 this evening. $3.49 per gallon. I have mixed it with 87 and 91 octane at 50 -60%. My car seems happier with the 87 . Mileage went down 2 mpg over 100% 91 octane. 20psi with zero knock and 45 daily driven miles each day. I would never switch back and will be at 100% as soon as I can upgrade injectors and fuel system. ( 100% duty cycle comes Quick :eek: !! ) Plus it just smells awesome when I'm stuck in traffic.:biggrin:

LOL. It does have an interesting smell.
 
There's a late model Camaro or Firebird that goes to the track that burns E85. The first time I was next to him in the staging lanes, he made me leave my car and go get some french fries. Made me hungry.
 
Jay Leno's Garage - E85 demystified

In this video Jay Leno talks to Gale Banks about E85.

If you don't have high speed inet, it sounds like you would have to go to 16:1 - 18:1 compression to get better mileage. All though you probably couldn't turbo charge it at that compression.

Also, this is a good website if you like cars.
 
E85 works for turbo Buicks because it has 105 octane rating and a much higher latent heat of vaporzation than gasoline (thing of it as chemical intercooling). Around Charlotte, NC, E85 is close to the price of gasoline so it doesn't make economic sense compared to 93 octane high test gasoliine. Compared to race gas, it is a winner!!!!!
Conrad
 
There's a late model Camaro or Firebird that goes to the track that burns E85. The first time I was next to him in the staging lanes, he made me leave my car and go get some french fries. Made me hungry.

You Damn Funny...:biggrin:
 
if you do the proper mods to the fuel system does e85 produce more HP and TORQUE than 94 and alky on a 600 hp plus motor
 
First of all, I haven't "run the numbers" so don't know for sure BUT if one can assume that the latent heat of vaporization will be a wash between E85 and methanol injection, you still have 105 octane for E85 vs 94 for methanol injection. My guess would be yes, more HP and Torque. I really like the better fuel w/o having to depend on the methanol pump to actually turn on when it is supposed to. It has to be better to have the ethanol going into the intercooler and the engine ALL THE TIME! Am I crazy or what?
Conrfad
 
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