Can an F-body be converted to use E-85 fuel?
01-30-2008, 12:27 PM
#61
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I know it's been a while since anything has been said in this thread but I have some new information (and a warning) everybody here should be aware of.
I ran E85 fuel in my 87 Fiero 3800 Turbo for a season and then pulled the fuel tank. Turns out the E85 fuel started reacting with my sending unit plumbing -- turning it black in color. The E85 didn't seem to harm anything else in the tank.
Since I found that I contacted Walbro and asked them if their fuel pumps were E-85 compatible. And at the time I spoke with them (it has been about a year) they said NONE of their pumps were compatible with E-85 and shouldn't be used with it.
This is a big disappointment because the car really liked the E85's 105 octane. My wallet really liked the higher octane for the cost that was less than reg. unleaded despite the fact my fuel economy dropped about 20%. I also discovered my injectors which were pleanty big for 100% gasoline were getting close to being maxxed out when running E85. The reason why is because E85 does not contain as much energy content as 100% gasoline, so more E85 must be injected into the engine to make up for the difference.
Now it has been about a year since I have run E-85 in my Fiero and the only component I changed out was the fuel pump (I had one of the older Walbro 307's and upgraded to the new 307/340 replacement). I should note that I did stick that 307 into another vehicle and it still works today. So basically nothing has failed in my fuel system since I ran the E85 for a summer.
I did find a website/company on the net that did some extensive experiements with E85 and found if used long enough, it would eventually corrode steel and aluminum; and would eat thru rubber parts. I think the only reason why I haven't had any issues with my fuel system is because I didn't use E85 long enough -- which is a good thing. As I mentioned above, the E85 was already starting to react with the metal my sending unit is made out of.
So basically what you should take from all this is use E85 in your car AT YOUR OWN RISK. I will tell you that I won't run it again in my car unless I replace all fuel system components with E-85 compatible materials.
-ryan
I ran E85 fuel in my 87 Fiero 3800 Turbo for a season and then pulled the fuel tank. Turns out the E85 fuel started reacting with my sending unit plumbing -- turning it black in color. The E85 didn't seem to harm anything else in the tank.
Since I found that I contacted Walbro and asked them if their fuel pumps were E-85 compatible. And at the time I spoke with them (it has been about a year) they said NONE of their pumps were compatible with E-85 and shouldn't be used with it.
This is a big disappointment because the car really liked the E85's 105 octane. My wallet really liked the higher octane for the cost that was less than reg. unleaded despite the fact my fuel economy dropped about 20%. I also discovered my injectors which were pleanty big for 100% gasoline were getting close to being maxxed out when running E85. The reason why is because E85 does not contain as much energy content as 100% gasoline, so more E85 must be injected into the engine to make up for the difference.
Now it has been about a year since I have run E-85 in my Fiero and the only component I changed out was the fuel pump (I had one of the older Walbro 307's and upgraded to the new 307/340 replacement). I should note that I did stick that 307 into another vehicle and it still works today. So basically nothing has failed in my fuel system since I ran the E85 for a summer.
I did find a website/company on the net that did some extensive experiements with E85 and found if used long enough, it would eventually corrode steel and aluminum; and would eat thru rubber parts. I think the only reason why I haven't had any issues with my fuel system is because I didn't use E85 long enough -- which is a good thing. As I mentioned above, the E85 was already starting to react with the metal my sending unit is made out of.
So basically what you should take from all this is use E85 in your car AT YOUR OWN RISK. I will tell you that I won't run it again in my car unless I replace all fuel system components with E-85 compatible materials.
-ryan
01-30-2008, 01:34 PM
#62
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components in a 1987 car wont have the same composition as parts in a modern car designed to handle standard E10 (oxygenated) gasoline.
most of the aftermarket parts companies will not say their parts can handle E85 simply for liability reasons...so you have to be careful.
most of the aftermarket parts companies will not say their parts can handle E85 simply for liability reasons...so you have to be careful.
02-03-2008, 06:16 PM
#63
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I got handed this brochure, they say its a conversion kit for e-85 the website is www.intelligentethanolsystems.com
let me know more bout this
let me know more bout this
02-04-2008, 09:08 PM
#65
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i asked the dealer of this E85 conversion kit that since there is a limited amount of gas stations that carry ethanol, is it possible to use regular gas and the person said yes, so i guess its a good things to use when at the strip or use sparringly
02-04-2008, 09:08 PM
#66
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[QUOTE=snkeater;8639841]i asked the dealer of this E85 conversion kit that since there is a limited amount of gas stations that carry ethanol, is it possible to use regular gas and the person said yes, so i guess its a good thing to use when at the strip or use sparringly
