Hello,

I'm considering trading my 2004 FX4 somewhat soon and live in northwestern Minnesota near the North Dakota border. E85 is very plentiful around here and last I saw was about $1.55 vs $1.85 for 87 octane. I've driven the 2014 3.5 Ecoboost but not the new 2.7 Ecoboost I'm sure either engine would be more than enough for my outdoor hobbies and driving style. I was blown away by the 3.5 Ecoboost and have no concerns over durability with it or the 2.7 for that matter. My question is about how many people have tried E85 in the newly upgraded (power wise) 5.0? I have always read some feel Ford really sandbags the power on the 5.0 and that running E85 really "wakens the 5.0 something fierce?" I feel a person cannot go wrong with either but dang I love the sound of the 5.0. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Subscribed.

 

Protip: You can go under Thread Tools, hit "subscribe to thread", and subscribe without having to crap up every thread with a post saying "Subscribed"... this is the second thread back-to-back I've read where you did this...

 

Thanks for that tip! I didn't realize that could be done. But I'll do that in future.

 

Can somebody explain how E85 would "wakens the 5.0 something fierce"
This is an honest question....not trying to sound smart.

I've always try to limit the Ethanol to the lowest blend of E10 which is common here.
At one time they used to have an Ethanol special pump which was an 87 Octane. Is stepping up to 87 Octane what your referring to?

 

E85 has more octane which would allow more timing advance. More aggressive timing would equal more power.

E85 is now all but a faded memory where I am.

Iosh

 

Ethanol has about 30% less energy per gallon than gasoline, so fuel economy will suffer accordingly. As Josh points out, the higher octane allows the engine to run with more timing advance which increases power. A properly setup engine will make more power on E85, but you'll be burning substantially more of it.

 

I've read the same Tom I am just wondering if anyone with a 5.0 can comment on any noticeable power gains? Before the "upgraded 5.0" the regular numbers were 360/380 on 87 octane and using E85 could boost them to 375/390. So with the newer version of the 5.0 that should put the numbers right about 400/400 on E85. However, you're right mpg will suffer.

 

At work I drive government fleet vehicles. A few years ago they would recommend that we fill up with E85, and to this day nearly all of the ones we have are flex fuel. I've noticed a power gain in every model I've tried, but fuel economy goes in the tank.

 

Not thinking fuel economy matters when you're .30+ a gallon cheaper for E85 when compared to 87 heavens forbid you compare to 93, right? our 93 can be .80 or more a gallon more.

 

Fuel economy matters to those of us who aren't independently wealthy. The less I spend on fuel the more I can spend on other things.

If you're getting 30% less fuel economy the break-even point is around 55 cents cheaper. At the moment gas is around $1.80 here in Minnesota; if E85 isn't $1.26 or less we are actually paying more. The cheapest I've seen it is $1.59, so you're paying significantly more.

 

ok, wasn't clear on actual mpg loss. 30% seems excessive. Now the difference between 93(tuned) and 87 might just be something.

 

Here's one done by Edmunds with a Silverado, they came up with 25% worse.

E85 vs. Gasoline Comparison Test

 

E85 is nearly $1 more a gallon than 85 octane here in Northern Colorado.

 

Having seen what ethanol can do to pumps that are made for the ethanol and what ethanol storage tanks look like before they clean them there is no way I would run it in my truck even if it said I could. My truck says no more than 20% ethanol.