E85 VS 93 with octane booster like Torco

[armykyle1 [HACKED ACCOUNT]

I have run and dynoed both setups. I run torco in my 93 in the colder months for better starting and to keep from any moisture issues or build up. I run e85 in the warmer months because the car is effected less by the heat and it just plain makes more power. I have run on two different dyno's by two different top level tuners and in both cases the e85 made 10+whp and 15+wtq over 93 with torco. The torco is great to ensure full timing advance for what is commanded but most tuners are not adding that much timing on a 93 tune unless you specifically have them tune with your exact torco mix. Remember everyone that 30* of timing on 93 does not make the same power as 30* on good e85. Advantages of e85 go beyond just the timing. That being said gas mileage sucks (usually 12-16mpg for me), its not always around and its good to run a tank or two of 93 through the system every now and then.

Was the car tuned for torco as well? Or just a light mixture of it?

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[RubyRedBoost]

I'm catless but my O2s have been fine even on E85 as well. I wouldn't run it on stock cats as they really do advise against it. I'm not an expert by any means but I'm sure it would burn them up rather quickly. I started running Octanium about 2k miles ago and haven't had any issues. Too early to claim I won't though.

 

[RubyRedBoost]

Was the car tuned for torco as well? Or just a light mixture of it?

I was wondering that as well because in N/A set ups E85 can make that much over 93. I don't see it making that much over 93 and Torco/Octanium.

 

[Silver50Pony]

I've been doing research on torco and it will not hurt modern cats or o2 sensors because it is unleaded . I'm sure if you use it like every day for a year or two maybe an issue but sparingly, I don't think there could be issues. not sure about octanium

 

[dubster99]

I'm catless but my O2s have been fine even on E85 as well. I wouldn't run it on stock cats as they really do advise against it. I'm not an expert by any means but I'm sure it would burn them up rather quickly. I started running Octanium about 2k miles ago and haven't had any issues. Too early to claim I won't though.

If E85 is bad for cats, why are there factory flex fuel vehicles that can run it?

 

[DarkestHour]

I prefer e85 for its cooling properties, especially now that I'm boosted.

Yes! So many people don't think of this.

 

[Silver50Pony]

If E85 is bad for cats, why are there factory flex fuel vehicles that can run it?

I passed NY state emissions testing with a full tank of e85 .. so the cats were very happy with very strict testing , after all e85 is or was originally meant for environment friendly people who believe in global warming to keep pollution down lol! Turned out to be the cheapest race gas one could ask for

 

[Lonmon]

Was the car tuned for torco as well? Or just a light mixture of it?

It was a 93 tune. I would never have a tune just for torco as it is too easy to get the mixture off a bit. I used torco to ensure full timing advance when using 93. I would not be surprised if someone tuned the torco mix to the edge that small gains could be made but I don't think it would be practical to run all the time. You can't test 93 for torco content like you can for ethanol content. Plus the flex tunes auto adjust for ethanol content and there is no such thing for octane booster. Then theres cost. A 32oz bottle of torco is over $20 added to the cost of premium. E85 is better fuel for less money, despite using 30% more its still a better deal. You cannot match the cooling effect of ethanol to 93 with some torco.

 

[Rhamlinii]

Are you are running 30 degrees of timing on the stock intake manifold? How fast are you all ramping up the timing?

 

[Lonmon]

On my Lund tunes I was seeing 30* on 93 with both my stock intake and gt350 intake mani's. As far as ramp up thats hard to answer without having logs in front of me. I can tell you that it ramps up earlier with e85 for sure.

 

[Bluemustang]

On my Lund tunes I was seeing 30* on 93 with both my stock intake and gt350 intake mani's. As far as ramp up thats hard to answer without having logs in front of me. I can tell you that it ramps up earlier with e85 for sure.

Same here. I was seeing 30* timing on 93 and E85, stock intake manifold. Lund Flex Fuel.

 

[Silver50Pony]

Just did some more research on Torco and it's ingredient MMT , research has been done on vehicles with or without MMT for 100k miles and it does not have any negative effect on catalytic converters, in fact it has been noted that it is safe and helps prevent catylatic converter failure ... so anyone wishing to switch between 91/93 with torco back and forth to e85.. or if e85 isn't available to run torco all the time your good to go. here's the link to the research http://papers.sae.org/942056/

 

[armykyle1 [HACKED ACCOUNT]

Just did some more research on Torco and it's ingredient MMT , research has been done on vehicles with or without MMT for 100k miles and it does not have any negative effect on catalytic converters, in fact it has been noted that it is safe and helps prevent catylatic converter failure ... so anyone wishing to switch between 91/93 with torco back and forth to e85.. or if e85 isn't available to run torco all the time your good to go. here's the link to the research http://papers.sae.org/942056/

Nice find.

 

[dubster99]

Some people say MMT fouls plugs. I have seen them turn orange, but it can be wiped off.

 

[armykyle1 [HACKED ACCOUNT]

Some people say MMT fouls plugs. I have seen them turn orange, but it can be wiped off.

Some people will say octane boosters are snake oil in general.

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