bogey1

This is an interesting thread. Lots to learn about E85! Sounds a bit like a crap-shoot in terms of what you get at any given pump. Big power has its risks I suppose.

32krazy!

not really. if you dont have the ability to adjust the tune on the fly you simply run a lower e85 file say a safe e60 file. or use a proven station like i do. thortons fuel never lets me down even though my setup tunes on the fly

A418t81

pressure ratio

I apologize. My reading comprehension was not very good there. Eating lunch and distracted at work was not the best time to read and send a reply.


Although I agree about the test tube tester is only taking a small sample out of a huge tank, it still warns me if it tests out at a low mixture. Mainly if I was on a road trip or away from the stations I normally fill up at and are known to be good. And again, your inline sensor is not without issues either. It has issues with reading correctly due issues with water in E85. Having an incorrect reading in a flex-fuel set up can be hazardous to your engine as well.

I use mainly Thortons as well. Whenever I am there filling up, there is another car or two filling up that is a performance car. These stations sell a lot of e85 and they get tested with the test tube as well as the inline sensor in stand-alone gauges. Info that people share on local car sites. It is nice to have constant samples. It is also interesting that Thorntons' E85 seems to be pretty solid all year round. But pump e85 definitely poses some concerns that anyone should discuss with their tuner. Being on the same page as your tuner is important.

And yes, If you want to have an aggressive tune and track the car or do highway pulls that way, a drum of E85 from a supplier is going to be the most consistent and safe. Cheap insurance but a lot of people don't want a 55 gallon drum of fuel in their garages. But some sell down to 15 and 5 gallon pails if that works better for people. Many speed shops and some hobby shops have good options for e85. You just might have to plan ahead and order it as they might not stock it.

32krazy!

for me i run a proefi 128 standalone engine management that constantly moniters ethanol levels and adjusts the files accordingly. so no matter the pump fuel i run the computer adjusts for it. and im lucky enough to have a shop close to me that stocks ignite fuel by the 55 gal drum in e98 and e115. i just carry my 5 gal cans there and fill up! more expensive but at the track theres no substitute

Gate

32krazy!

first and foremost its an engine. nothing really sophisticated about it. a huge air pump. second good quality e85 equals 110 octane race fuel better than any pump fuel on the market and has almost zero detonation runs cooler and produces more power than pump gas.

dprantl

Sounds like Gate is talking about regular gasoline octane in Europe which is 95 and 98. This discussion is about ethanol fuels, not regular gasoline...

Dan