E85? Pros/Cons

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • 475_enduro
    Member
    • Jul 2007
    • 99

    #1

    E85? Pros/Cons

    I run a 4412 on a 383 in a dirt street stock, i know of a few guys that are running the E85 fuel, just wondering what you guys think about this fuel and running it in a race motor, i like the idea of E85 being about half the price of race fuel, and ive heard you can gain around 25hp and that it runs cooler. I also heard of a few guys burning down their motors because of this fuel. Just wondering what everyone elses take was on this issue, and what others had heard pro/con wise.
  • hnamea
    Member
    • Apr 2011
    • 81

    #2
    we have ran it for 2 years with no problems. just talk with your engine builder about your motor specs and buy a good e-85 carb from a good builder that can set it up for your motor and you will be fine.

    Comment

    • racer69
      Senior Member
      • Apr 2009
      • 249

      #3
      Definitely run a true E-85 built carb! Cost of E-85 is soon to rise due to tax breaks ending for manufacturers. Only real problems I have heard are from guys trying to run modded gas carbs and from fuel that wasn't blended right. Purchase from someplace thats trustworthy.

      Comment

      • RACEMAN
        Senior Member
        • May 2007
        • 323

        #4
        Check the SG

        One thing you have to be aware of if you're buying the E85 from the local gas station is that the fuel you buy will not be exactly 85% ethanol. EPA, DOT and I think a couple other alphabet agencies granted the fuel providers leeway in the ethanol to gasoline ratio over the seasons and the availability of the base ethanol. If I remember correctly in the summertime the percentage could be down to 75% ethanol. To know for sure you'll need to check the specific gravity of each batch of fuel you buy. I would suggest that the racer should buy the E85 in large batches (maybe a months worth at a time) to reduce the number of times the SG needs to be checked.

        Comment

        • 50j
          Senior Member
          • Jun 2007
          • 1047

          #5
          Actually it drops in the colder months in some places. Not all. You can test the fuel with a $15 tester that checks the ethanol percentage, not the sg. It's very simple to check and the fuel works well.

          Comment

          • chevy370lsx
            Member
            • Mar 2011
            • 50

            #6
            I know a lot of 1000 hp+ drag racers than run e85 and love it.. Everything from nitrous big blocks to twin turbo small blocks.
            If you burned up a motor on it you didn't know what you were doing and it's your fault the the fuel..

            Comment

            • 50j
              Senior Member
              • Jun 2007
              • 1047

              #7
              IMO the key things are to get a GOOD carb, not a conversion kit project or generic E-85 shelf carb, a good pump, and test the fuel. If it's set up right and you check your fuel you'll be just fine. The people I've seen have problems were trying to cut corners to "save money". Good stuff and diligence doesn't cost that much more, an engine does.

              Comment

              • 72Dubya
                Senior Member
                • Sep 2011
                • 504

                #8
                Even though E-85 is cheaper, it burns off twice as fast than normal racing fuel. So, whatever money you save in price per gallon will be lost in gallons you will have to buy from what is being burnt. If your track allows it, I would try switching to an oxygenated race fuel, like VP CHP. Usually you will have to tune your carb richer, but you burn the same amount of fuel, but gain a lot of HP and Torque. I know that if you send your 4412 to Willy's and say that you are going to be burning an oxygenated fuel, they will tune and dyno your carb for you.
                #72W U.M.P Stock Car

                Comment

                • 50j
                  Senior Member
                  • Jun 2007
                  • 1047

                  #9
                  Respectfully that's not right either. Methanol will use twice as much. E-85 which is 85% ETHANOL does not. Two different fuels. Look at bsfc numbers to see the difference. I think that the amount of misinformation contributes to the "problems" people have with using it. If your stuff is right, it works and costs less.
                  Last edited by 50j; 11-25-2012, 03:10 PM.

                  Comment

                  • DANNY
                    Senior Member
                    • Jun 2007
                    • 791

                    #10
                    Originally posted by 50j View Post
                    Respectfully that's not right either. Methanol will use twice as much. E-85 which is 85% ETHANOL does not. Two different fuels. Look at bsfc numbers to see the difference. I think that the amount of misinformation contributes to the "problems" people have with using it. If your stuff is right, it works and costs less.
                    I have to agree there, I hear at most 25% more use and that is most likely high. The most fuel (gas) I have run through on a 50 lap race was 11 gal. had tons of caution laps we most likely ran 75+ total.
                    »»*†HÀ†§ HÓ††™««

                    Comment

                    • Crash 4
                      Senior Member
                      • Jun 2007
                      • 671

                      #11
                      Is E-85 legal for UMP stock car?

                      Comment

                      • 475_enduro
                        Member
                        • Jul 2007
                        • 99

                        #12
                        I dont see why not, its pump gas

                        Comment

                        • stockcar5
                          Senior Member
                          • May 2007
                          • 1289

                          #13
                          Originally posted by 475_enduro View Post
                          I dont see why not, its pump gas
                          its alcohol.

                          Comment

                          • powerball
                            Member
                            • Dec 2011
                            • 70

                            #14
                            Originally posted by stockcar5 View Post
                            its alcohol.
                            thanks for that tid bit of info, but it is still PUMP GAS!! ive been running it for 3 yrs

                            Comment

                            • laurajts
                              Junior Member
                              • Dec 2012
                              • 1

                              #15
                              puauvr moncler jackets
                              vqs5

                              GpxpCFZS ugg boots outlet
                              kivsDKGoq http://www.menafn.com/menafn/canadagoose.asp
                              vppaupsmjl ugg boots clearance
                              VEVxUaptu qacndm cheap canada goose
                              XiqFTTAHmul HvhgIDRK cheap canada goose
                              knliAEKyz PxgzRFZU http://www.menafn.com/menafn/moncler.asp
                              dzyyNOShs
                              beats by dre
                              gjniNFBvc cheap moncler jackets

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X