E85 vs 93 oct

krackerstache · Nov 1, 2009, 05:51 PM

I live in New York and commute from Long Island to Manhattan on a daily basis

I've been noticing that a lot of drivers have switched over to E85 fuel. I have a few questions about making the switch:

How do i go about the process??

difference between e85 and 93oct??

difference in performance department(stock rr evo x)??

Thanks =)

goofygrin · Nov 1, 2009, 06:24 PM

I'd not do it if you're stock...

Conversion requirements:
- injector upgrade (1000cc typically)
- fuel pump upgrade (walbro)
- fuel pump housing (HBSpeed, UR's is alum. and that corrodes in E85)
- fuel filter
- fuel line for in tank (E85 rated)
- retune

E85 uses about 30% more fuel, so your MPG does down, however it's like 105 octane, so you can run more boost and more timing, so you get more power.

Check out the dyno forum for before/after dynos, but think 40-60hp/ftlb tq.

buchnerj · Nov 1, 2009, 06:30 PM

Yes, If you are willing to sink a little into some supporting mods it is very worth the upgrade, especially if E85 stations are in your area. You would need what was listed above, specifically the injectors and pump, the rest are needed if running it in long duration. Also you must retune for this switch in order to even run the car. It will be a little tough to start up in the winter, especially until they make the switch to ~E70. E85 is typically 85% ethanol and 15% 93 (in our area some use 89 or similar fuels). With this combination the RON or octane rating is 100-105 depending on the seasonal mixture, so you can throw more boost at it and run more timing safely without knock. Switching to E85 is probably one of the best bang for your buck mods, so I would definitely make the switch, if you can afford the supporting mods and tune. Plus its cheaper than the 93 octane you put in normally, so it will pay you back eventually over time, and yield much more power.

doibugu2 · Nov 1, 2009, 06:36 PM

I thought I read where people have been able to switch back and forth from E85 to 93, correct? Can you do that whenever you want? Any side affects?

I have an E85 near my work that I could get it from and like mentioned above, would save me about .30 a gallon right now. That would add up real quick.

TTP Engineering · Nov 1, 2009, 06:40 PM

You cannot switch back and forth on an Evo X. Only evo 8-9 with JOT altmaps cable.

buchnerj · Nov 1, 2009, 06:42 PM

Edit: clarity.

You could ride with your laptop in the car and flash whatever map you wanted based on fuel you had in the tank, but just dont get caught with no E85 station in sight and your laptop dies...

Also, make sure if you are running E85 to almost run the car out of fuel before switching back to 93. It takes a tank for the leftover E85 to run out of the lines. You just don't want to get caught in that 50% ethanol 50% 93 no mans land, the car will run like poop, if at all.

doibugu2 · Nov 1, 2009, 06:53 PM

I almost always have my laptop in my car, have one for work.

What would be the estimated cost to run it? Getting the mods for it that is?

supergengo · Nov 1, 2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doibugu2

I thought I read where people have been able to switch back and forth from E85 to 93, correct? Can you do that whenever you want? Any side affects?

I have an E85 near my work that I could get it from and like mentioned above, would save me about .30 a gallon right now. That would add up real quick.

The money you "save" at the pump will be eaten up by decreased fuel economy. I would not do this mod to save money. For the evo X, e85 is basically a cheap performance fuel.

doibugu2 · Nov 1, 2009, 07:33 PM

I would do it for the preformance, but was hoping that the difference in gas price would offset the cost of the mods.

murlo26 · Nov 1, 2009, 07:50 PM

Well with E-85 I now get 13.5-14.5 mpg.

Before I got 18-20mpg. I boost more now because its so much more fun, but don't expect to be saving money with it even if you drive the same.

buchnerj · Nov 1, 2009, 07:57 PM

Yeah, it is just a cheap performance fuel. Much cheaper than the 8 bucks or around there you can pay at the pump up here for 118 oct VP race gas. The cost of the gas will offset the fuel mileage, so you will most likely be stuck with eating the cost of the supporting mods, maybe a little more. It is worth it still in my opinion, if you want to get more out of your car safely and with little modification to run it.... my .02

goofygrin · Nov 1, 2009, 09:13 PM

It costs about $1k to upgrade (including parts, install and tune). In my area, E85 is typically 50 cents/gallon cheaper than 93, and 60 cents if you can get a discount for shopping at the store.

If you can keep your foot out of it, I calculated that the break even point is around 3 years or so.

Ltdanish07 · Nov 1, 2009, 10:30 PM

e-85 would be nice. The closest e85 station is 22 miles from me.

Kryx · Nov 1, 2009, 11:40 PM

I wish I could consider E85... The nearest station is 60 miles away from me. Using half a tank of gas just to get a tank of gas isn't particularly economical.

m0nkie · Nov 2, 2009, 12:41 AM

I got a station 5 min away... but it seems like hard work to switch between fuels.. I only have 1 station around, so if im else where running out of gas, im screwed without a labtop?