E-85 not so bad on the fuel system....pics

[jasjamz]

This is my car. I have the Rock Auto GM307c tank that is about 4 years old. I have had these pumps going on 3 years and the sender was used when I picked it up 4 years ago. I can say I do not see any abnormal issues here. I did not drain the tank over the winter, nor was it full. I wanted to see what would happen. I drove it a few times and did not add anything to try to prevent corrosion or rust. My socks look just like they did when I changed the pumps the first time. I looked for signs of the plastic being eaten away or the fibers reacting to the E-85...nothing. I have pumped out 110 oct and added the E85 and vice versa. None of the Leaded fuel and E85 reactions either. I will tell you what I did find. The wires from the hanger to the pump have hard insulation now. the wires seem to be very stiff. I didn't attempt to test how hard they had become in fear of them breaking. I simply modded my Walbro 340m pumps that both tested fine under single operation, replaced the socks and installed new rubber lines. I did that to say I did something besides look at the stuff. The hoses were still flexible, no cracks or splits and the clamps were fine also. The inside of the tank was also fine. I look around with the light until I was content with the smell of ethanol I guess.

So.... I am ready to see what this season will bring and will check it all again this time next year. I f you are thinking about using this fuel I say do it. No fancy parts here and she is still kicking! I guess you have to try it and see for yourself instead of reading and believing what someone else says.

 

[EVIL]

good to know.

D

 

[TurboBuick86]

That's what I'm talking about Jason... Same results for me, I wish people will believe that e85 isn't bad, but there will always be the non-believers. They don't know what they missing!

 

[696]

I just installed my wiring harness from the Hotwire to the top of the fuel sender and the included intank wiring. I upgraded the intank wiring when I installed my Walrbro 340 (it was heavier than stock) but this intank wiring was MUCH heavier as described above. X2 about the coating, I had to bend and tweak the intank wiring but it worked. All wiring was from Racetronix w/ TT340 pump.

 

[jasjamz]

Mine are larger than stock but not as big as the new stuff being offered. I have bigger better DP on standby with larger wires, feed line and pumps. I want to see how far this one will take me. What lines are you using with the TT340?

 

[696]

All stock right now, fuel pressure is a little bit high so I plan on eliminating the Saginaw fitting on the return line. I could see replacing the feed and running the feed as a return, but not in the near future

 

[jasjamz]

Let us know what gets the pressure down, I have a car I want to try this on later in the year.

 

[696]

One of the guys posted it on here. Basically, remove stock return line from saginaw fitting and reg. Cut off the flared end on the return line and use a 1/4" compression fitting . Use a 90 with a 1/4" end to a 8 an fitting....i believe. When I get to the bcomputer it's on I'll copy and pasted it.

 

[KevinB]

I believe the return line at the fuel pressure regulator is a Saginaw too.

 

[BEATAV8]

Same here. No issues. No special parts, still running original lines and hoses and tank. Going on 3 years with E85.

 

[BEATAV8]

Also no special storage during winter months... Just fill it up and park it in the garage. Start it right up in the spring. Still haven't even burned through last year's E85 so far yet this spring.

 

[we4Mateo]

Also no special storage during winter months... Just fill it up and park it in the garage. Start it right up in the spring. Still haven't even burned through last year's E85 so far yet this spring.

I'm curious how many miles are you guys putting on every year? Under light use, I would expect the E85 to have less effect. I'm not doubting and I want to go this route, but I fill up a lot now, but I also drive a lot, so the mileage is really the only thing holding me back. And I'd like to see how a car holds up to 10k miles/year on E85 if anyone is doing that.

TIA

 

[jasjamz]

I'm curious how many miles are you guys putting on every year? Under light use, I would expect the E85 to have less effect. I'm not doubting and I want to go this route, but I fill up a lot now, but I also drive a lot, so the mileage is really the only thing holding me back. And I'd like to see how a car holds up to 10k miles/year on E85 if anyone is doing that.

TIA

I see what you're saying. Look at it this way. The only thing mileage will change is the life if the pumps. I saw a post from Itsqik2 about the walbro 255 pumps being used by the Evo cars for a long time on E85 without issues before the Buick crowd really started tampering with it. All the parts will be exposed to the fuel if it sits or is driven. I do not drive my car as much as I did when the combo was set and i didn't tamper with it all the time. I'd say 3000 miles a year and 40-50 passes at the track now. This year my friends have put more miles on it than I have. I will be putting it on the street more once its the way I want it. Don't think twice about switching. Its worth it! I will cahnge the feel of your car without a doubt. I still love pump gas and alky. But since my car is a local car, E85 is better for me. I will not drive it more than an hour away so locating E85 is not a fear. If you want a car you can drive on two hour trips or more you have to plan accordingly if you don't have the ability to switch back to 93 when needed.

 

[we4Mateo]

I see what you're saying. Look at it this way. The only thing mileage will change is the life if the pumps. I saw a post from Itsqik2 about the walbro 255 pumps being used by the Evo cars for a long time on E85 without issues before the Buick crowd really started tampering with it. All the parts will be exposed to the fuel if it sits or is driven. I do not drive my car as much as I did when the combo was set and i didn't tamper with it all the time. I'd say 3000 miles a year and 40-50 passes at the track now. This year my friends have put more miles on it than I have. I will be putting it on the street more once its the way I want it. Don't think twice about switching. Its worth it! I will cahnge the feel of your car without a doubt. I still love pump gas and alky. But since my car is a local car, E85 is better for me. I will not drive it more than an hour away so locating E85 is not a fear. If you want a car you can drive on two hour trips or more you have to plan accordingly if you don't have the ability to switch back to 93 when needed.

I drive my car too far away from home to have to worry about E85 and I'm not interested in switching chips if I can't find it. I'll probably wait until I have a 2nd TR to set it up on.

 

[KevinB]

I wonder if it's a good idea to run some lube like marvel's with the e85. The oem engines designed for e85 have stainless rings and blocks with higher nickel content than our 109's. I ran e85 all last year and developed a major ring issue towards the end. Not saying it was because of e85, but cant rule it out either imo.

 

[BEATAV8]

I drive my car too far away from home to have to worry about E85 and I'm not interested in switching chips if I can't find it. I'll probably wait until I have a 2nd TR to set it up on.

A thumbwheel chip could do the trick. I have one on hand in case I ever want to switch back and forth between gas/e85 on the fly. Eric can flash one setting for e85 and another for gas.

 

[jdpolzin]

I wonder if it's a good idea to run some lube like marvel's with the e85. The oem engines designed for e85 have stainless rings and blocks with higher nickel content than our 109's. I ran e85 all last year and developed a major ring issue towards the end. Not saying it was because of e85, but cant rule it out either imo.

Kevin, we have an original 109 that has been run for 6 years on E85 that we will be taking the heads off again soon. This particular motor has 110K miles on it with original pistons/rings and the cylinder walls still retain factory honing and look great. I would say at least 35K miles were put on this motor at 28-32# of boost and the head gaskets have been blown 4 times now so the motor has been put through hell and back. I dont think E85 has anything to do with ring wear becuase if it did, this motor would be having some issues by now. I'll follow up with pics once we get the heads off again, which will be soon. ---Jeremy

 

[KevinB]

That's good to know. My pistons are 5+ years old and have probably a 1000 runs on t5hem. Couyld be the ring lands just getting worn out. They are pretty loose.

 

[jasjamz]

Lube, nah, stainless rings...too late motors running and I don't see any boosted factory E85 cars yet to steal secrets from. I think its just a state of paranoia that will pass. Jeremy headgaskets blown 4 times...how did you guys do that? Nevermind, I just watched your crew leaving the Jimmy's car show again LOL. Your crew keeps the throttle blade OPEN! Steve the SD chip is all he'd really need. Lower the overall fuel and turn that alky back on. Done! 1 chip, 3 fuels and WB tracking. XF, DF, Pro EF, what? Nope, blew the budget on the rest of the parts and still need a few things.

 

[jdpolzin]

Lube, nah, stainless rings...too late motors running and I don't see any boosted factory E85 cars yet to steal secrets from. I think its just a state of paranoia that will pass. Jeremy headgaskets blown 4 times...how did you guys do that? Nevermind, I just watched your crew leaving the Jimmy's car show again LOL. Your crew keeps the throttle blade OPEN! Steve the SD chip is all he'd really need. Lower the overall fuel and turn that alky back on. Done! 1 chip, 3 fuels and WB tracking. XF, DF, Pro EF, what? Nope, blew the budget on the rest of the parts and still need a few things.

Yeah I personally have never blown a headgasket but the crew certainly has! The last one was on the way home from the Hot Rod Power Tour when the Hot Air (turbonut85) and Austins IC car decided to race on the interstate. Well the GPS was topped out at 159! When Austin let off the gas pedal, the head gasket blew. I would imagine that was from having no fuel to cool the cylinders. Funny thing is, Keith's Hot Air stayed right next to Austins quarter panel the entire time and didnt blow anything up!!! That really shows what E85 can do. Keiths HA is going to be a force to be reconned with this year with the new 4.1, GN1 head set up! When they were racing on the interstate, keith was still running a 3.8 with mild port irons.