Question About Converting to Ethanol
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Question About Converting to Ethanol
Hello Everyone,
I am sadly not what you would call a car person, and some of the reason is that I have never found car related projects that have sparked my passion. Recently, I read a website about creating and running a car or truck under E85 blend, and this is something that is really interesting to me. The maker of the website states that conversion to E85 for older cars is simply a matter of changing over the fuel pump chip to change how the car takes in air. (I know I just summed that up very simplisticly.)
Can anyone here tell me where I could find such a chip for my 1987 F-150 (AKA Money Pit). I would also be interested in hearing any other information I may need about the conversion process.
Thanks,
Michael
I am sadly not what you would call a car person, and some of the reason is that I have never found car related projects that have sparked my passion. Recently, I read a website about creating and running a car or truck under E85 blend, and this is something that is really interesting to me. The maker of the website states that conversion to E85 for older cars is simply a matter of changing over the fuel pump chip to change how the car takes in air. (I know I just summed that up very simplisticly.)
Can anyone here tell me where I could find such a chip for my 1987 F-150 (AKA Money Pit). I would also be interested in hearing any other information I may need about the conversion process.
Thanks,
Michael
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 1
I would not recommend the E85 for your F150. Ethanol only provides half the power created in combustion as gasoline. You will have less power, and less mpg. We in the midwest have a 10% ethanol blend in almost any gasoline sold here (to help out corn farmers). Those in other areas call this a "winter blend/mix."
Your emissions system would also have to be in tip-top shape to allow for the fuel system to be flexible enough to handle the change.
Also, conversion is more than a chip change. Ethanol is "drier" than gasoline. Some of the materials in the components of the fuels system are not fully compatable and might crack. If you look on the manufacturers website for new cars, or the E85 website, only certain models are deemed fit for E85. Those models have E85 friendly fuel system components installed.
E85 is currently slightly less expensive than gasoline because of governement subsidies. Current production technology is much more expensive than refining crude oil.
Your emissions system would also have to be in tip-top shape to allow for the fuel system to be flexible enough to handle the change.
Also, conversion is more than a chip change. Ethanol is "drier" than gasoline. Some of the materials in the components of the fuels system are not fully compatable and might crack. If you look on the manufacturers website for new cars, or the E85 website, only certain models are deemed fit for E85. Those models have E85 friendly fuel system components installed.
E85 is currently slightly less expensive than gasoline because of governement subsidies. Current production technology is much more expensive than refining crude oil.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 523
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From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Its not half. Its only half if you dont take into the consideration of the 10% increase in vapor point. You have to make the stroke longer for that 10%. There is a guy at MTSU that has the world record for 4 of his vehicals. I could have bought one of them if I wanted. but on topic you will have to replace alot of the rubber hoses due to the fact that they will crack as he says. You can do it but I dont recommend it. Its alot of work I mean alot.
