I'm a complete newbie but am keen to learn.

What Is the point of e85 is it just to keep your motor running cooler which makes more power and reduces chances of detonation?

Whats the difference between the two from what I gather they're both ment to cool your motor to reduces chances of detenation.

I ask with regards to a boosted 5.3L in the 700rwhp range. I'm assuming I'll need an intercooler for this type of power goal will the motor need methanol or e85 aswell ?

 

I will assume you had a spelling error in the title and meant meth/methanol/alky injection not method injection.

alky injection is an auxiliary fueling system typically with a small tank to hold the alky and programmed to add supplemental fueling primarily to provide charge cooling and detonation resistance that alcohol fuels provide but just during time of high demand , typically triggered by a certain boost threshold - over "X" psi system activates and provides the added fueling.

E85 is the marketing name for a series of high concentration ethanol fuels that can vary between 70% ethanol and sometimes slightly over 85% depending on location , season , and blending variances - colder climates will drop to 70% during winter months , warmer climates will hover around 85% year round.

Methanol is wood based alcohol and is highly corrosive , ethanol is grain based ethanol and is far less corrosive - all the alcohols you drink at the bar from beer to everclear are ethanol , you cant drink methanol t is deadly.

Benefits of E85/reasons people would use it:

e85 varies in octane depending on percentage of ethanol present , the pump decal will say 105 octane but remember those yellow decals state "minimum octane rating" so the 105 is actually for a 70% concentration or "E70" winter blend. 85% would be 112 octane but act like much higher due to the charge cooling properties of alcohol fuels. the higher the octane the more it resists detonation.

Charge cooling , alcohol fuels provide a cooling effect keeping engines cooler which gives many benefits keeping heat soak at bay and other drivability issues you can get from a hot engine. Another benefit is keeping hot spots from forming in the combustion chambers , detonation usually starts with a hot spot this is where alcohol fuels act like higher octane than they are rated.

Cleaner running , tear down a gas engine and one run on high concentration ethanol and you will see a lot less carbon , varnish etc... on components exposed to fuel.

Cost , e85 is generally less per gallon than regular gas depending on demand and local pricing yet in many cases provides as much or more hp than race fuels costing over $15per gallon !

disclaimer* it takes approx. 30% more fuel to run e85 due to lower stoichiometry gasoline is 14.6/14.7 to 1 afr at stoich. e10 is approx. 14.1 at stoich and e85 is around 9.8 depending on actual alcohol content so you will need more headroom on your fuel system , bigger pump , bigger injectors , boost a pumps etc...

e85 can also be purchased by the 55 gallon drum this will give you best consistency as drum e85 will be very close to 85% less variance than pump e85. Shipping can kill this unless you can lay out the cash up front for say 4 drums shipped on a pallet or do a group buy.

You can also buy e98 by the drum octane is closer to 120 and it is very common on e98 to see factory intercoolers removed as they are just an in needed restriction at that point since the fuel provides all the necessary charge cooling ( check the e98 threads on the modular ford forums).

Availability is another factor up here in Maine the closest station is still 2 states away , I studied the fuel when I had a boosted platform previously but it still hasn't made it here , if you live in a state with good e85 availability and are planning 700 boosted hp just spend an hour on you tube watching "e85"videos to see the fuel in action !

 

Hi, a good above report !

I would ADD one item little known = Bus Fuel is E-95

There are many areas where this Bus Fuel (E-95) is common AND required for operation in some locations.
This fuel IS under greater Federal Regulation for content, more standardized.
This fuel was created for use in HIGH Compression Turbocharged engines.

DO USE an intercooler as this will reduce the mass flow requirement of the turbine.

The question of Water/Meth Injection use = NO

What is your location ?

Lance

 

I live in Vancouver, BC

 

Thank you Murphinator for the write up I appreciate that.

I live in Vancouver, BC - Pantera

Would you recommend intercooler and e85 if it's available? Or do you think I can get away with 93 pump ? It seems like e85 would protect the longevity of the motor.

 

I would find out what others with similar setups are using for fuel , especially in your area I don't know if e85 is even available in Canada...

 

Hi, yes Vancouver, BC has the BEST water taste in the World.
My wife's parents were Canadian, Walters father built/owned the Canadian National Rail Road.
Their home was in White Rock.

I would like to help you with your project ?

YES use an intercooler EVEN with the "E" fuels.

I have done the AL GEN-IV 5.3 at 98mm Bore with Twin Turbos.

This 'base" engine core works well for a Turbo with LOW Cost.
I can do an EAP Model, no cost, to predict your engine output.

Lance

 

I would love a helping hand. I'm going to look at a 2006 5.3 tonight. I like the look of twins they are more appealing to me but at a cost of course. What really is the additional cost of running twins beside an extra turbo, extra waste/Bov?