To those running E-85..

CoMoEvo · Aug 9, 2009, 03:02 PM

hey all just a couple of questions..to those lucky enough to be running e85 right now, how many of you run an ethanol content analyzer gauge in your car?do you find it's truly worth it? we all know that ethanol isn't controlled by the epa so at various pumps (without regulation) can have different ethanol contents.. so do you feel that it is necessary for this gauge?i plan on tuning in chicago with AMS for e85, and i have a hunch that the ethanol there will be similar to that of the ethanol here in central missouri -- hopefully my hunch is correct!and my last question is with more and more people running the tephra/ map switching capabilities i am really interested in doing that since that would save me having to purchase a windows laptop just to have an e85 and a 91/93 octane tune for winter. if you have had your car tuned at AMS and have this set up what was the extent of AMS' work on your car? did they just get your dyno tunes done and on a computer for you, and you had to upload the tephra stuff for the map switching capabilities using the i/c sprayer button?also, since i'm running an 05 MR without the i/c sprayer option would i be able to add that switch easily without having to put in a harness i.e. is there already a harness in there for it? how hard would it be to do that, and if it's too hard could i just put a switch in myself?what would you recommend?i know i can search, but i'm having a hard time finding out answers to my specific questions with regards to AMS dyno tuning my vehicle. thanks in advance!p.s.: think there's an advantage with getting an a/m intake and exhaust manifold for just an bolt on e85 tuned car wanting to get close to 400whp? i know i won't quite hit it (i don't plan on porting the turbo); however, i may add eventually a COP system.. as far as the gains vs. the money spent on the a/m IM and EM and/ or an a/m throttle body..

project_skyline · Aug 9, 2009, 04:25 PM

You can hit 400whp(DJ) on e85 fairly easy depending on supporting mods, even without IM and ex mani upgrades.

I would recommend the map switch kit by jack of all trades, it comes with everything you need and some great instructions. I plan on getting it here soon when i get some extra money.

I dont personally run the ethanol analyzer, its pretty expensive to get setup and i dont plan on getting it anytime soon. I use the same two stations and both run around the same mix of e85 so i dont have many problems.

Talk to AMS about map switching and those options, since i dont have any experience with them. Otherwise get the car tuned with two maps and you can have someone help you out with setting up the map switching for your car.

Hope that helps some.

Jim in Tucson · Aug 9, 2009, 04:54 PM

I have the CEL flash-on-knock mod, but no E85 content gauge and no wideband. I think it would be imperative to have at least one of the three. And since the knock light is the least expensive...

skiracer · Aug 9, 2009, 07:09 PM

There was a situation in NorCal recently where a E85 station had it tanks tested by the state to have only 50% ethanol..... Running at 50% ethanol on your 85% ethanol tuned vehicle at wide open throttle would not be a good idea.

Also, if you live in a region where ethanol varies between 85% versus 70%, the ECA would be most useful....

If its doable, bring down the E85 from your home to AMS.

I know a few peeps that brought E85 from their hometown in Vegas to get tuned in Los Angeles area

If you don't have a IC sprayer, a simple toggle switch can be used to switch the maps.

project_skyline · Aug 9, 2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiracer

There was a situation in NorCal recently where a E85 station had it tanks tested by the state to have only 50% ethanol..... Running at 50% ethanol on your 85% ethanol tuned vehicle at wide open throttle would not be a good idea.

Also, if you live in a region where ethanol varies between 85% versus 70%, the ECA would be most useful....

If its doable, bring down the E85 from your home to AMS.

I know a few peeps that brought E85 from their hometown in Vegas to get tuned in Los Angeles area

Thats not a bad idea either. You can always test the e85 from each station without the content analyzer, you can get some kit that tells you. I haven't looked into it personally because a couple people around here have done it so i just know what stations run.

CoMoEvo · Aug 9, 2009, 09:28 PM

i appreciate the info guys, i'll look into a cheap and effective way of testing e85 in my town if possible. so far i haven't been able to get any substantial info from the people that work the gas stations (go figure) and nothing is labeled on the pumps as far as the actual content and or class/ category of e85..

WannaRace · Aug 9, 2009, 09:36 PM

You can test yourself with a test tube and distilled water. That's what I did the first couple times I filled up, then I just started trusting that the station was dispensing the same fuel every time. When it starts getting colder out, I'll test again and so on...

CoMoEvo · Aug 9, 2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaRace

You can test yourself with a test tube and distilled water. That's what I did the first couple times I filled up, then I just started trusting that the station was dispensing the same fuel every time. When it starts getting colder out, I'll test again and so on...

how do i test the amount of ethanol in the mixture with this option?
more info please!

rawburt · Aug 10, 2009, 12:29 PM

Yeah your best bet is to pick one e85 station and stick with it. I recently was tuned for e85 at ams and when talking to them on the phone, they told me to bring my car with a full tank of e85 that I would be using.

inco9nito99 · Aug 10, 2009, 12:43 PM

http://www.fueltestkit.com/instructi..._test_kit.html

dmoevo · Aug 10, 2009, 12:55 PM

ive gotten e85 from at least 10 different stations down here in south florida for the past 8 months,no problems so far with ethanol content being different, and i dont have a ethanol content analyzer(kinda pricey), personally i just stare at the a/f gauge, if somethings up that gauge will tell me.

WannaRace · Aug 10, 2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoEvo

how do i test the amount of ethanol in the mixture with this option?
more info please!

You can use the link inco9nito99 recommended, however, you will just have to measure out some more markings and add numbers since it only reads up to 30% ethanol.

I obtained mine from a dealership that uses these to test vehicles for specific problems that could possibly be related to the use of too much ethanol in vehicles not equipped for E85.

ssteve · Aug 10, 2009, 03:12 PM

The zietronix wideband is nice cause you can hook up their warning box invade your not able to watch your wideband all the time. I have their wideband and the factory cel knock link hooked up and had a bad tank of e85 run me as lean as 12.9:1 with no knock. So if i didnt jave the wb i would have kept beating on it running super lean.

dmoevo · Aug 10, 2009, 06:25 PM

yea wideband is a must. those ethanol content analyzers are more profit for the vendor IMO

CoMoEvo · Aug 11, 2009, 10:03 AM

i agree, i'm gonna run an aem uego.. i've used those in my wrx, sti, and 03 cobra..
i'm gonna check out that ethanol testing, that should be nice..
now i just need to get in touch with chris @ ams to ask about the tephra switching mod with my tunes

i talked to them yesterday and i'll need to bring e85 and 93 from my home town.