My 99 F-250 now runs on either gasoline or E85. I had a flip switch programmed for both tunes. So far the E85 is doing better than expected for MPG. I am getting 9.8 w/ E85 verses the 10.5 that I should be getting with gas. (lots of short trips and city driving)

6.6% drop in mpg
19.7% drop in cost per gallon (87oct 3.09 & E85 $2.48)


The real comparision will come with a few longer distance trips...

 

Waht all do you have to do? I've been told you not only have to reprogram the PCM, but you also have to replace the fuel lines and injectors. With the continual riase of gas, it maybe a worth while investment.

 

One of the shops I looked at had an 01 Crown Vic that had run on E85 for 40,000+ miles. There are many people that believe that the non-flex fuel vehicles have fuel systems that can handle E85.

I just had a program written and put on the diablo flip switch. Runs great, only difference I noticed is at start up it idles higher to begin with, but the computer may just need to get used to the new tune. There has been no noticeable change in power.

 

The fuel lines, tank and injectors should all be fine with E85 as far as the material goes. Depending on the duty cycle of the injectors they might need to be upgraded. Other than that, the tune takes care of the rest.


mizzitch, did you have them adjust the shift points and such with the tune or is it just simply converting to E85?

 

They used the shift points etc from my 87octane dyno tune.

I'm not sure if they lowered the rev limiter to compensate for the injectors, I know one shop was saying that they may have to lower it.

 

I would love to run the E85 on my V10
Did it in my wife's Ranger and liked it alot
Theres even an E85 station right accross from my work

 

mizzith,
Who did the programming? Cost?

I'm interested in this for both the Excursion and our Accord, but it has to be cost effective with a relative short ROI. Right now there are very few stations that sell e85 in my area, but it's $.25 cheaper than gas.

I've been searching around and found 'conversion kits' ranging from $300 to $500... which is robbery.

 

$200 plus my used Diablo Preditor

www.rune85.com

Andy was pretty good for a guy that just had his wisdom teeth removed...

 

VERY interesting thread

 

I concur

 

Similar cost... I guess if I already had the diablo, it would be worth it - but with the small price difference and loss in MPGs it just doesn't add up for now (at least for me). But it's something to keep in mind.

 

it depends where you live in the country - E85 prices vary quite a bit - since it can't be distributed by pipeline

 

Right now in ND its $0.80 cheaper than Regular depending on the station.

 

Yup, that sounds about right SLE. Where in ND are you at?

 

Here in Charlotte, NC - there are only a few E85 stations. Price is only about $0.25-$.030 lower than gas.