E85

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Dec 18, 2021 | 09:30 AM

chesster51

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Tuned

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 305

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From: Middleburg, FL

E85

Anybody running E85 or have any info here? I'm looking at this conversion kit: https://eflexfuel.com/us/auto-produc...conversion-kit. Even though they say it works with stock injectors, I think they will have to be upsized. I have an inquiry sent and waiting to hear back on a few questions.

Dec 18, 2021 | 12:50 PM

xlt4wd90

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From: SoCal

Do you need to run E85 for particular reasons? Ethanol has about 1/2 the specific energy of gasoline, so if you switch from "regular" gasoline, which may be 10% ethanol, to E85, you get about 60% less energy per gallon that you purchase. Even though the cost of E85/gallon is a little less than "regular", it's not 60% less; more like 5% to 15% less. So you will end up paying more per mile driven, and you will have to fill up more often.

Dec 19, 2021 | 06:08 AM

chesster51

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Tuned

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 305

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From: Middleburg, FL

Wouldn't be doing it for gas mileage. Due to higher compression and tuning I'm already running 93 octane which is 3.94 gal. E85 here is 2.94 gal. E85 has an octane rating of 104 and runs much cooler which allows for increased timing and substantial hp/tq gains. I run it in my Gen 3 coyote Mustang and the down low torque in noticeably higher. No dyno numbers, car was remotely tuned by Lund, but it's widely reported to be a 30 hp increase.

Dec 19, 2021 | 09:56 PM

xlt4wd90

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From: SoCal

All else being equal, if the specific energy of ethanol is only 50% of gasoline, you would need to inject twice as much of it to match the power output of gasoline. But if you can also advance the timing with ethanol, that would be a small gain, so you may not need exactly 2X the injector. But that gives you a ballpark figure to start with. You will probably also need a bigger fuel pump to keep up.

I'm just guessing here, but maybe you can find out what injectors are used in Ford's flex fuel vehicles vs the gas only vehicles of the same model and engine size. Find the ratio difference and adjust yours accordingly.

Dec 20, 2021 | 12:34 PM

DaveMcLain

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Quote:

Originally Posted by chesster51

One of my circle track customers could use E85 fuel. I spent a lot of time doing development work and I never got it to run any better than gasoline in the engine, about equal but not better. On the track it ran a bit cooler but that was about all. Maybe you'll get it to make more power but don't be surprised if power is disappointing.