Running on E85?

**FL3JM** · 08-26-2008, 07:47 PM

I don't know how common it is in the states to be able to use E85 (ethanol), but here in Sweden you can get it on every gas station, and its quite a bit cheaper (our gas prices are probably aprox 2x yours

). So i was wondering, is it possible to run a Magnum RT on E85 without any mods? If not, what mods are required? Anyone with experience of using E85 here?
E85 has an octane rating of 100-105, so you can increase the compression quite a bit and thus getting some extra hp as well, but is it possible to change timings with a tuning computer (ie Diablo Predator) or do i have to get a brand new electronic control system for the engine?

Thanks guys!

**stevesrt8** · 08-27-2008, 08:15 AM

the major problem with E85 is that per gallon it lacks the specific energy of gas. Thus you need LOTS more to get the gains everyone promises.

So you can get the HP but you will suck it down FAST!

Ask anyone who races an alcohol car at the dragstrip.

**Smoove06CSRT** · 08-27-2008, 08:39 AM

Diablo should have a tune for e85... but I think the fuel pump is not rated internally for e85.

**GasGunR** · 08-27-2008, 11:44 AM

Our car's fuel system in compatible with E-85. Diablo has a tuner in S.D. I think they recommend, that has alot of experience tuning for E-85.

Biggest problem is, there is no sensor in your fuel system to tell the computer what you are running. So you need to have a gas tune and an E-85 tune in your Predator and change back and forth when you change fuel. If you can run E-85 exclusively, that simplifies things considerably. If you don't care about the mileage, E-85 is a great choice for H.P. and a TON cheaper than race gas if / where you can find it.

**stevesrt8** · 08-27-2008, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by GasGunR

If you don't care about the mileage, E-85 is a great choice for H.P. and a TON cheaper than race gas if / where you can find it.

But can our fuel injectors flow enough????

Anybody?

**HEMISFEAR** · 08-27-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by GasGunR

Our car's fuel system in compatible with E-85. Diablo has a tuner in S.D. I think they recommend, that has alot of experience tuning for E-85.

Biggest problem is, there is no sensor in your fuel system to tell the computer what you are running. So you need to have a gas tune and an E-85 tune in your Predator and change back and forth when you change fuel. If you can run E-85 exclusively, that simplifies things considerably. If you don't care about the mileage, E-85 is a great choice for H.P. and a TON cheaper than race gas if / where you can find it.

Just curious Gunr, where did you get that information? I did some research last year on running e85 in our rides and the consensus was that the injectors had to be larger, fuel lines/fuel system had to stand up to the Ethanol. I know Leo out of Vegas is/was running E85 in his 300SRT8. I'll have to dig up the post for you. I also know that the PCM's had programming for E85 within them but never heard that the fuel system was capable. Several studies have shown people running E85 in non-FFV vehicles without issue for thousands of miles. Any info would be helpful.

**Warlock** · 08-27-2008, 02:42 PM

interesting

**CombatMedic67** · 08-27-2008, 03:17 PM

interesting indeed...

**Jimsmag06** · 08-27-2008, 03:32 PM

I would like to have the alternative of running e-85, but the only place I can(not) get it locally in N.California, is the Lawrence Berkeley Lab. CNG is more available, but outta the question.

**FL3JM** · 08-27-2008, 04:35 PM

Would be really interesting to find out more info about running E85 on our cars, it may have less energy (and thus decrease mpg), but it is still worth it (at least here in sweden, and it prolly is in the states aswell).

Check this video out, they compare taring on two engines, one that has been running on ordinary gas and one that has been running on E85 allmost all the time, and the E85 engine looks better than the other one!

Eighty-five percent ethanol fuels non FFV for 100,000+ miles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-MNQFlRilE

Very informative vid! Makes me more eager to run E85 in my car!

And about the power, i have a friend who converted his Evo to run on E85 and got a noticable performance boost after mapping it (hasnt been dynoed yet but it IS faster, we have raced before and after the conversion). Probably around 20-30 hp increase without a doubt.
(I have checked out some swedish forums and people say that if you increase compression and adjust the spark timings, you can gain 20-30% hp! Dunno if that applies to HEMI engines tho, but it should! :D)

**HEMISFEAR** · 08-27-2008, 05:42 PM

http://www.srt8oc.com/forums/showthr...hlight=ethanol

**pimp mobile** · 08-27-2008, 06:44 PM

i have run E85 for about 18 months. i got the "piggy back" computer from leo ( pm me if interested). i get a little less mpg 15%. better performance. the best 0-60 time i had was 5.50 on 91 octane. on a full tank of E85 i pulled a 5.00 . both on superchips,cai, catback in the same week on the same street. now i run 4.36 with heads and cam plus headers. when we pulled the heads for the swap, my buddy pointed out how clean everthing looked---E85. i aslo have 6.1 injectors.

**HEMISFEAR** · 08-27-2008, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by pimp mobile

i have run E85 for about 18 months. i got the "piggy back" computer from leo ( pm me if interested). i get a little less mpg 15%. better performance. the best 0-60 time i had was 5.50 on 91 octane. on a full tank of E85 i pulled a 5.00 . both on superchips,cai, catback in the same week on the same street. now i run 4.36 with heads and cam plus headers. when we pulled the heads for the swap, my buddy pointed out how clean everthing looked---E85. i aslo have 6.1 injectors.

Is that the only part you changed to the fuel system? Tank, lines and everything is the same correct?