It's great that some of you guys are testing the E85 but just a fair warning...be careful on the tune because otherwise you'll be right behind me getting a new motor built by Dan at DLS! When running E85, you NEED to make sure you are adding enough fuel delivery. I would NOT try any of this on a stock computer!!! If you have a Translator Pro or even better, a FAST or BS3, have at it. A stock computer alone will not be able to add enough fuel. I'm going to be testing this stuff next spring once I get my car back together. I'll definitely have the upgraded fuel system for it. I'm gonna talk to Dan and see if he has any suggestions as far as the motor build goes when preparing to run this stuff.
It can be done with a stock computer , chip and injectors. However you have to use a 50/50 mix or so. Having said that understand that I have a Translator so I can trim the fueling curver somewhat. I've run hundreds of miles with this stuff and I like what I see and feel from the car. Even with an incorrect fueling map, the part throttle driveability, idle is better. I don't have to press the gas as much going up hills, etc. I can roll into the throttle and pitch the car sideways from 40 mph. never been able to that before even with the Propane injection turned on.
I know what some will say,
don't even start it... because I'm running a fuel pressure gauge on the hood, knock gauge in the car and my Directscan on all the time. I'm not being foolish about this. This is a test and shouldn't be done without any of those tools I just mentioned.
There are a few people that I've talked to, one not on this board that was running 25 lbs boost 25-26 deg timing with E-85 in a Turbo Buick. No other power adders. all that with only 105 octane, but the cooling effect and slow burning Of E-85 is the key. I have found that you can really lean out the cruise fuel with E-85 and not run into any problems. In fact other Turbo cars ( EVO, WRX, even GTPs ) have been able to tune cruise mode well enough to get back any loss of gas mileage due to the decreased amount of BTUs available in E85.
As far as motor builds go. N/A motors really like E-85 at about 14.1 - 15.1 compression. That seems to be the magic number. This takes advantage of the E-85, produces more power than pump gas and the fuel mileage would be better in most cases than 93. Yes to take full advantage of E-85 a different motor build is in order when it comes to
N/A engines. In regards to our motors maybe a lil high compression to improve driveability in part throttle applications. Not sure, but with the right fueling you could really turn the wick up in our motors.
Eric @ TT and I are working on chip for my 83s and I'll pop those in the car and go for kill mode
, with 100% E85 Its my understanding that I will have to use a hotter spark plug as well.
My final goal is to run 100% E-85, with a newly updated ME-R setup with a wideband and then add the METH on and top see if I can find the sweet spot. Razor doesn;t seem to think there will be any problems.