e-85

[john910]

does anyone have pros and cons of converting over to e-85. we have a sbc 355 with 2 .02 valves, 292 501 lift cam, in a 32 austin. our problem is it has a small rad. temp gets to 210 . thought it would let it run cooler. thanks for any help. looking at quick fuel convertion kit.

[curtisreed]

Is this a race car or street car?

Curtis

[john910]

its a drag car 1.65 -68 60 foot, 10.20's 1/4

[slowmotion]

Here's a guy that has been helpful in the past with e-85. http://www.marksullens.com/

[Dahlton]

I have one question. how high compression ratio should it be when running on e85 and roots blower? 10,11??

[zipper06]

I have one question. how high compression ratio should it be when running on e85 and roots blower? 10,11??

Why would you even want too run E85, with a 540 blown alcohol motor? when you can buy alcohol for $2.00/$2.50 a gal.
I used to run 13.5 with a 540 with a Littlefield 1471 @30% overdrive in a Rodek blk. with solid Brodix heads and that was over 20 yrs. ago.

Zip.

[john910]

well has anyone switched over and what was your results. thaks for any input

[Dahlton]

i want to use e85 because it is not legal to run methanol on the street.

[zipper06]

i want to use e85 because it is not legal to run methanol on the street.

OOPS!!! :oops:

Didn't know that, no experience with E85.

Zip.

[Dahlton]

i want to use e85 because it is not legal to run methanol on the street.

OOPS!!! :oops:

Didn't know that, no experience with E85.

Zip.

is it legal to run methanol on the street in USA?

[zipper06]

i want to use e85 because it is not legal to run methanol on the street.

OOPS!!! :oops:

Didn't know that, no experience with E85.

Zip.

is it legal to run methanol on the street in USA?

Not really, because the states donot get the road tax assoicated with the stuff out of the pump. It's also not legal to run Avaition gas (102 octane plus)for the same reason, no road tax. Most states have smog testing stations, but La. and Ms.are not one of them.

Zip.

[bjuice]

in S.C. you could run whatever you want...no emission laws here...actually you can run a bare frame with a motor and tape two flashlights to the front and could drive it....lol....No joke !....No inspection laws either...they done away with that law years ago.......its a common sight to see people running around with busted out windshields/side glasses everyday

[Pwmax]

Personaly, e-85 is a hassle for guys that cruise their cars a lot. The mileage sucks, and if you hammer on it a lot, you better have access to a station, because you WILL need to fill up. I build my fair share of E-85 stuff, and its great for a performance engine, except the above hassle.

For a drag race deal, that you just run at the track, its a very economical way to go. It works great with forced induction set ups. For it to be even worth using for a street car, you should run 13+:1 compression. Thats the whole point of it. Its a cheap high octane fuel, that allows high compression. If you use it on your 10:1 engine, it will pick up some power, 10hp, 10ft/lbs, if its tuned well, but isn;t worth the hassle. 3 points of compression, on a stout 10:1 steet engine, your talking a pretty healthy bit of power, and is worth the hassle for a limited use deal. Even daily driver stuff like your new Ford truck, that can run on either E-85, or gas, most never use E-85, because it gets shytty mileage, plus, its WAY worse for the environment than gas, for many reasons, none of which is the improved emmisions.

Another fuel I like, and its NOT a dry fuel, what ever that means, is the above mentioned low lead av gas. I have been using and recomending that stuff for 20 plus years. Its been consistant the whole time. Its technicaly not street legal, but, neither is race gas. Its another cheap way to go for good fuel. it will support a lot of compression. I have ran it on 13:1 iron head bbc's, and it made more power than 110 octane race fuel. The main reason its not street legal, is because it still has lead in it, which by default, makes it NOT a dry fuel. Lead is a lubricant, a detonation supressor, and it cushions valve seats, so, it is not a dry fuel like I hear A LOT. E-85 on the other hand, if anything is a dry fuel, that is. It acts like methanol, which, could be considered dry. Thats why you use an upper cylinder lube with either E-85 or methanol.

Frank

[Pwmax]

Now that I read the above, being in finland, and your other option is methanol, E-85 is a better choice. You will actualy get a mileage increase, lol. I think they are a lot stricter in European countries about the legality of motor fuels. Here, who checks it? Even if it is illegal to run. How many people in California run stuff they aren't supposed to? They have inspections, but thats easy enough to get around. But, if you get caught, thats another story. In states with no inspections, who is going to nail you? A cop? Like most cops would know that you have av gas, race gas, E-85, 92, whatever.

[bjuice]

Now that I read the above, being in finland, and your other option is methanol, E-85 is a better choice. You will actualy get a mileage increase, lol. I think they are a lot stricter in European countries about the legality of motor fuels. Here, who checks it? Even if it is illegal to run. How many people in California run stuff they aren't supposed to? They have inspections, but thats easy enough to get around. But, if you get caught, thats another story. In states with no inspections, who is going to nail you? A cop? Like most cops would know that you have av gas, race gas, E-85, 92, whatever.

u just proved my point with your last 2 sentences in reference to No state inspection here in S.C.....No-one cares what you run....truthfully spoken.

[Dahlton]

Personaly, e-85 is a hassle for guys that cruise their cars a lot. The mileage sucks, and if you hammer on it a lot, you better have access to a station, because you WILL need to fill up. I build my fair share of E-85 stuff, and its great for a performance engine, except the above hassle.

For a drag race deal, that you just run at the track, its a very economical way to go. It works great with forced induction set ups. For it to be even worth using for a street car, you should run 13+:1 compression. Thats the whole point of it. Its a cheap high octane fuel, that allows high compression. If you use it on your 10:1 engine, it will pick up some power, 10hp, 10ft/lbs, if its tuned well, but isn;t worth the hassle. 3 points of compression, on a stout 10:1 steet engine, your talking a pretty healthy bit of power, and is worth the hassle for a limited use deal. Even daily driver stuff like your new Ford truck, that can run on either E-85, or gas, most never use E-85, because it gets shytty mileage, plus, its WAY worse for the environment than gas, for many reasons, none of which is the improved emmisions.

Another fuel I like, and its NOT a dry fuel, what ever that means, is the above mentioned low lead av gas. I have been using and recomending that stuff for 20 plus years. Its been consistant the whole time. Its technicaly not street legal, but, neither is race gas. Its another cheap way to go for good fuel. it will support a lot of compression. I have ran it on 13:1 iron head bbc's, and it made more power than 110 octane race fuel. The main reason its not street legal, is because it still has lead in it, which by default, makes it NOT a dry fuel. Lead is a lubricant, a detonation supressor, and it cushions valve seats, so, it is not a dry fuel like I hear A LOT. E-85 on the other hand, if anything is a dry fuel, that is. It acts like methanol, which, could be considered dry. Thats why you use an upper cylinder lube with either E-85 or methanol.

Frank

Is it not a little high 13+:1 compression with forced induction on e-85? Or did you mean 13+:1compression NA engines?

[Tod74]

I am also very interested in nthis subject. Sorry to highjack./...

I am putting together a 454 out of spare parts that I have lying around...I have a rotating assembly that is 12.5 to 1 . I am thinking of trying e85 just because I do not want to buy pistons and have it rebalanced and there is ann e85 station down the street. I will have to buy a carb but I need one anyway....It is a car that will be driven rarely and power isn't a concern....just want to use the parts I have but using race gas is a pain since you have to go buy it someplace and then poor it in the car...can't just pump it in. I used to run CAMII in my small block on the street because they sell it at SPEEDWAY gas stations... They would never allow me to pump it into the car...I had to put it in a gas can first. So I would drive up to the pump and hold up the can...they would turn on the pump then I'd pump 5 gallon into the can,poor it into the car,then 5 more gallon into the can then the car ...lol :D etc. That was when it was $3.00 a gallon and pump gas was less than $1.00

[Tod74]

in S.C. you could run whatever you want...no emission laws here...actually you can run a bare frame with a motor and tape two flashlights to the front and could drive it....lol....No joke !.

:lol: :lol:

[Pwmax]

13:1 naturaly aspirated

[john910]

has anyone had any luck with e-85

[bbchevy]

It wont be MUCH Longer and I'll have a Answer for You?
572"BBC ,8/71 Blacks and Whites,Hilborn 4-Port Mag Bug,Have'nt got a Mag yet?Probably go with a Mallory S/M 4?I will start out @ 1 to 1 on the Blower and look for 1100-1200HP?Way more than what I Need for this 98" W/B?
I have a Bud,that has ran it for 2 Sesons w/His Blown 406.3350lb 70 1/2 Camaro,they run on a 8.90 Index.
Later
G 8)

[Joes69]

you can go to e85 forums and talk to guys over there.My buddy ran it in his car last year and it worked great for him.I just bought a prosytems e85 carb and will be trying it for myself this year.IT was 2.39 per gallon the other day by my house compared to the cheap racing gas which is 6.50-6.75 per gallon.And thats only the half of it.At least where I live you have to chase the racing gas down.The e85 burns about 32% more fuel than gas so at that rate you will have roughly $3.16 for e85 to get the same volume and or mileage I guess as 6.50 racing gas.It burns cooler and there is a increase of hp and torque.e85 is right in the middle of gasoline and alchol.I have only been researching this for a short time so please go talk to the experts they are out there..

[promod45]

talked to a guy at ODDYs and he told me they have done a few blown small blocks on e-85 and made 1000 HP and said is a great feul. I know with any ahcohl feul on a small block you should not go any higher then 11 to 1 on static cmpression