Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

E85 swapping, some CR ?'s

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-11-2010, 07:09 PM
  #1  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default E85 swapping, some CR ?'s

Hey guys, I want to switch to E85 because: I have the fuel system to, Its more readily available locally now, and the car is down for the summer heat, so i figured it was the perfect time to. I just had some questions before upgrading..

Current setup:
stock block/crank
Mahle 16cc dish
Patriot Stage 2 heads w/ GM mls gaskets
Patriot Xtreme Springs
CamMotion custom cam (223/218 @.50" 577/565" 116lsa+4)
GTK1000
made 630/680 on 91 octane @ 15-16 psi

The current setup should net a 8.8:1 CR but I want higher for E85 like closer to 10:1. I was thinking I can keep my current heads and just have them milled to 59cc ish chambers and switch to a cometic mls .040 which should net 9.7:1. @ the same time I had contemplated doing a bit bigger cam but am now unsure of my PTV clearance with losing .030 off the heads then possibly having more lift or duration...

Any ideas?
Old 07-11-2010, 08:49 PM
  #2  
7 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
NicD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,722
Received 283 Likes on 187 Posts

Default

I would just mill the heads a bit and run more timing with E85, or maybe even just put more timing into it for starters and see where that gets you with E85 before pulling the heads and milling. I would probably leave the cam as is for now too.
Old 07-11-2010, 09:47 PM
  #3  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (8)
 
quicksilverado's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Marietta, Ga.
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

If you mill the heads, the decks will be thinner and more prone to lifting.
Old 07-12-2010, 01:28 AM
  #4  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the reply guys,
I was hoping to keep the cam in so I'm ok with that..
I wonder how much effect taking .030" off will have on lifting heads..?
If we assume the heads are .5" thick that's only like 6%, Have any experience with that?
Old 07-12-2010, 07:53 AM
  #5  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (17)
 
camarols1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NW Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I would just run it as is.
There is a bit more power to be gained by bumping the CR, but the same cane be done by bumping the boost up another pound or two.
The throttle response will be better off boost with a higher CR, but I built my setup at almost the exact same CR as you just incase I need to go back to pump 93 someday.
Old 07-12-2010, 03:46 PM
  #6  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (127)
 
NemeSS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston,TX
Posts: 6,886
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

i would just run more psi. and leave heads alone. like stated below. in case decide to go back on pump gas
Old 07-13-2010, 11:49 AM
  #7  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for all the input guys, I'm going to keep the engine as is for now and just switch to e85.. but I suppose since it's apart and I dont need to spend on my engine I can buy the GTM78 I've had my eye on! Score!
Old 07-13-2010, 11:51 AM
  #8  
LS1Tech Co-Founder
iTrader: (34)
 
Pro Stock John's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 44,653
Received 1,099 Likes on 721 Posts

Default

8.8:1, that's practically 9:1... I think you will see more power from adding timing than one point of compression.
Old 07-13-2010, 01:02 PM
  #9  
7 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
NicD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,722
Received 283 Likes on 187 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by rx_treme
Thanks for all the input guys, I'm going to keep the engine as is for now and just switch to e85.. but I suppose since it's apart and I dont need to spend on my engine I can buy the GTM78 I've had my eye on! Score!
I think that's a good idea. It's going to be much easier to just add timing and boost with E85 and from what I remember you didn't have a whole lot of timing in it from way back when so there are definite gains to be had by just switching to E85. Hell I'm around 8.5:1 because I built mine for 91 oct as well and switched to E85 a year ago and haven't looked back and just threw more timing and boost at mine.
Old 07-13-2010, 01:08 PM
  #10  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Nice, Thats good to hear I didn't realize you ever switched over.. I've been holding off merely because the inconvenience factor, but finally gave in.. I just recalcd my compression and it is 8.66:1 so a lil lower than I thought. yea when we last tuned (actually both times) it was hot and i think you had kept the timing pretty conservative b/c 91 octane + heat + beating the **** out of it=no bueno. Are you still on a .96 AR hotside?
Old 07-14-2010, 01:13 PM
  #11  
7 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
NicD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,722
Received 283 Likes on 187 Posts

Default

Yeah, I'm still on a .96 only because I can't get something bigger. Since switching to E85 my back pressure has gone up a bit for sure and I sure could use a larger exhaust housing.
Old 07-14-2010, 03:40 PM
  #12  
TECH Apprentice
 
94 slow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: ca
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Nic,

Which car is running E85? The single turbo or twin turbo?
Old 07-14-2010, 04:59 PM
  #13  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I think its the camaro..
Old 07-14-2010, 09:03 PM
  #14  
7 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
NicD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,722
Received 283 Likes on 187 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 94 slow
Nic,

Which car is running E85? The single turbo or twin turbo?
Just the Camaro, E85 isn't readily available enough for me to convert the GTO over to it at this point in time.
Old 07-14-2010, 09:21 PM
  #15  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Time to buy a motec with a fuel comp sensor!
Old 07-15-2010, 10:52 AM
  #16  
7 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
NicD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,722
Received 283 Likes on 187 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by rx_treme
Time to buy a motec with a fuel comp sensor!
Hell just buy one of those dual chip flip switch PCMs and load up a gas tune and an E85 tune.
Old 07-15-2010, 11:34 AM
  #17  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yeah i was looking at those,great idea, only problem is when I end up with a portion of one fuel and a portion of another..
Old 07-15-2010, 01:22 PM
  #18  
Gingervitis Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
slow67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Why not run a flex fuel GM PCM then.
Old 07-15-2010, 02:03 PM
  #19  
Restricted User
iTrader: (17)
 
98Z28CobraKiller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WPB, FL
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by NicD
Yeah, I'm still on a .96 only because I can't get something bigger. Since switching to E85 my back pressure has gone up a bit for sure and I sure could use a larger exhaust housing.
That's good to know.
Old 07-16-2010, 11:24 AM
  #20  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rx_treme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by slow67
Why not run a flex fuel GM PCM then.
I've been looking for one, any ideas?



Quick Reply: E85 swapping, some CR ?'s



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:30 AM.