Pros and Cons of going E85
#16
Evolving Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cold and hot starts can absolutely be fixed by a tuner, or yourself, using the vast information found in this (alternative fuel) forum.
For the trips where E85 may not be readily available, simply have your tuner set you up on 93 octane and E85 with maps that you can switch between. The swtich takes very little time and is painless.
In addition, the gas mileage is not horrific, as I still average close to 19 mpg around town. Of course, this is heavily dependent on driving habits.
Bang for the buck, you simply cannot beat E85. Your car, with the advance in timing and increase in boost, will feel completely new...
For the trips where E85 may not be readily available, simply have your tuner set you up on 93 octane and E85 with maps that you can switch between. The swtich takes very little time and is painless.
In addition, the gas mileage is not horrific, as I still average close to 19 mpg around town. Of course, this is heavily dependent on driving habits.
Bang for the buck, you simply cannot beat E85. Your car, with the advance in timing and increase in boost, will feel completely new...
#18
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
different cars tunes and weather make for different experiences, when I first made the switch I started up on the first crank and it would not die while warming up. even on a cold morning
it will retain water but you should be good to store it for 1 to 2 months depending on your containers and where its stored.
I was thinking of putting some silica gel packs on the bottom of the caps to help the e85 last longer but I don't know if that will help very much and I don't really store it for long periods of time. I DD the car until my left overs from the track days are gone cause I don't want to risk storing it until the next track day and having it spoil.
Last edited by Montu; Apr 14, 2011 at 10:39 AM.
#19
Evolving Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you mean hygroscopic...sorry, just trying to make sure you know the difference between the two.
#20
thank you ALL for the fast replies and answers that clarifies all my questions but there is still one thing im confused about. whats the deal with all the gunk/gum build up on the valves and injectors? i was under the impression that e85 is cleaner and wouldnt have the nasty gunk build up we get from regular gasoline. again thank you fellas!
#21
Evolving Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thank you ALL for the fast replies and answers that clarifies all my questions but there is still one thing im confused about. whats the deal with all the gunk/gum build up on the valves and injectors? i was under the impression that e85 is cleaner and wouldnt have the nasty gunk build up we get from regular gasoline. again thank you fellas!
To combat this potential issue, you can either run an inline filter to protect you fuel system, etc. or you can run a batch of 93 octane once every 5 or so E85 fills. The gasoline will loosen and remove the deposits, but all may cause "hot spotting" on your pistons if you have a solid amount of deposition in your system.
The best best is an inline filter if you are worried about getting a bad batch of E85.
#24
As stated cold starts can be had with a good tune. Also note the cold weather mileage on the trip meter. if I can daily drive with it year round in Minnesota anybody should be able to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgejK5IDs0
Enjoy e85
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgejK5IDs0
Enjoy e85
Last edited by kruthles; Apr 14, 2011 at 11:39 AM.
#28
Evolved Member
iTrader: (5)
I DD'ed my car on e85 for over a year one thing i noticed was that cold timing trim helps with e85 if your one of those people that just hops in and goes like i do. Before the engine warms up fully e85 tends to have ignition blowout if you reach any level of boost. The solution for me was to create a timing reduction trim using the warm up timing trim table and the wamup trim percentage table to phase it out gradually as the car got warmer.
E85 also seemed to like substantially more fuel when the engine temp dropped below 60F the fuel to get the car to reliably kick over with initial fuel pulse rising much more than regular gas.
Another warmup table touched I found it easier to make the car run slightly rich on warmup with maf comp vs engine temp so cold engine performance wasn't as effected. I live in a place with a pretty large and steep driveway so you need more than the average amount of power to make it and having the car go lean wasn't an option.
E85 also seemed to like substantially more fuel when the engine temp dropped below 60F the fuel to get the car to reliably kick over with initial fuel pulse rising much more than regular gas.
Another warmup table touched I found it easier to make the car run slightly rich on warmup with maf comp vs engine temp so cold engine performance wasn't as effected. I live in a place with a pretty large and steep driveway so you need more than the average amount of power to make it and having the car go lean wasn't an option.
#29
As stated cold starts can be had with a good tune. Also note the cold weather mileage on the trip meter. if I can daily drive with it year round in Minnesota anybody should be able to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgejK5IDs0
Enjoy e85
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgejK5IDs0
Enjoy e85
looks just like a normal start but a bit slower. i can live with that
#30
Like everyone else stated cold starts have been my only issue and my tuner got it to where im starting second crank every time even in -40 weather. The only other downside is the few amount of gas stations but other than that its great. Enjoy!