When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am constantly reading about people going above an beyond to measure ethanol content. There are guys losing their **** with 73% results vs 85% or 90%. Does anyone have any actual data or instances were there has been a failure or drastic change in results from 70-85% content? I think the vast majority of people running E85 are misinformed about what its actually capable of..
I know people running the same timing on E60 as they are on E85.. Just seem to me that people are getting worked up over nothing.. Discuss.
Google Delphi study on e50 vs e85 fuel. ZBrown was kind enough to send it to me on YB. Its easy to find and the results are exactly what you say. Same detonation resistance with e50 vs e85. Injector duty cycle will be down using 50-60 vs 85 along with stringing out your pump(s) a bit more. So that's a plus. I plan on mixing my own e50/60. The only difference I've heard is the smell.
If you're tuned for E85, any lower E content will result in rich mixture at WOT.
I've run 1 part 93 to 1 part E85 (E48) with no difference compared to straight E85. Stock 02 6.0, 10.6:1 comp.
There's some scientific article floating around showing that E50 has the same knock resistance as E85.
I always forget about that guys are still using HPT or non adjusting management systems, So i can see the need for need for the flex fuel sensors. I've read the article, I probably should linked it. I think a lot more people should pay attention to the differences between 50/85. It might free up the need for such a drastic fuel system and ease some minds.
Google Delphi study on e50 vs e85 fuel. ZBrown was kind enough to send it to me on YB. Its easy to find and the results are exactly what you say. Same detonation resistance with e50 vs e85. Injector duty cycle will be down using 50-60 vs 85 along with stringing out your pump(s) a bit more. So that's a plus. I plan on mixing my own e50/60. The only difference I've heard is the smell.
I always forget about that guys are still using HPT or non adjusting management systems, So i can see the need for need for the flex fuel sensors. I've read the article, I probably should linked it. I think a lot more people should pay attention to the differences between 50/85. It might free up the need for such a drastic fuel system and ease some minds.
I only run straight E85 now, but when I did mix I would just adjust the fueling in my tune. Takes all of a couple minutes. There's no good way to use an ethanol sensor on an 02 operating system with EFI live COS tune.
All being said, I do prefer the piece of mind with the full e85, on a stock motor.
I get that the antiknock index of E50 may be almost the same as E85. I wonder if the cylinder cooling effect of higher alcohol percentages also play a big roll.
I mean methanol and ethanol have basically the same octane. But the ratio of fuel to air is so much higher with methanol that it's proven to be a superior fuel. Does the same apply to an E50 blend VS say e85 or e98 etc... Higher percentage of alky in the fuel the more fuel you'll have in the CC cooling things down.
I never hear much about e87, is that better than e85?, we just got a new quick trip near me that has it, was thinking that I may switch over to it for my turbo 5.3.
I really dont understand why there isn't much difference in anti knock and octane between e50 and e85. Where is the cut off? Would E40 vs E85 be a huge difference. Or E10 (regular pump gas) and E30 be close?
Makes sense to me. I'm guessing the lesser octane fuel that is blended doesn't magically disappear when you add ethanol. It is still going to burn much faster and light off the ethanol in the process.
With E85 your base fuel is sometimes 85 octane or lower. That base fuel is going to light off much earlier than the ethanol. Ethanol can only do so much to slow the burn down when there is a lower octane in the mix. That's why mixing a low and high octane fuel isn't the best idea.
Better to use as high of a base octane as possible. If I were mixing E50 its easiest to grab 2 empty 55 gal drums. Fill one with a known good 85% ethanol (or higher) source and the other with the highest octane ethanol free fuel you have(91-93 etc). Then mix them yourself prior to filling your tank. 2 drums should last you all year.
5 gal of E85 and 3 gal of premium will give you 53% ethanol by volume and have the higher octane base fuel.
You could also mix a barrel at a time.
35 gal e85
20 gal reg = 54.1% ethanol
But I'd be worried the fuel would separate sitting in the drums for extended periods? (possibly not? No idea).
Power increases from 50% to 85% will come from the extra oxygen carried in with the ethanol and burned. After 87% these gains stop as you need some gasoline to get the mix going properly. I think with forced induction there may be some advantage to the shear amount if fuel you can light up for the cooling properties.
I'm very interested in doing this.
It will allow me to get away from being on the edge fuel system wise.
And putting real fuel in will eliminate the goo.
I finally got a 55 gal barrel. We have both E85 and 92 Oct ethanol free fuel available. Of course not at the same station....
Is there a list of stoich values for the various blends?
I'm very interested in doing this.
It will allow me to get away from being on the edge fuel system wise.
And putting real fuel in will eliminate the goo.
I finally got a 55 gal barrel. We have both E85 and 92 Oct ethanol free fuel available. Of course not at the same station....
Is there a list of stoich values for the various blends?
Look at chart on post #8 above. 11.57 for E50.
I'm at 40ish percent ethanol now. Was trying to purge the fuel system for winter storage. Pulled 20% fuel across the board. I can barely idle the Racetronix low-Z 160's this way (MS3 AEM injector driver). Fumes are much worse in the cabin as well. Figure I'll stick to the E70 at the "bad" gas station. We get that year round here. Not driving out of my way for that extra 15% will be nice this year.
Last edited by Forcefed86; Feb 17, 2016 at 11:44 AM.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.
Ethanol Content and actual results 
