E85 reliability

[DarkestHour]

Much of the misinformation on ethanol is just that. Older engines, sure, it may cause issues. Modern cars? No.

Sponsored

 

[bunk22]

Stock injectors ?

Yep.

 

[armykyle1 [HACKED ACCOUNT]

Keep in mind, E85 provides zero upper engine lubrication. There are a number of additives you can add to help counter act this. If the car sits for long periods, there's E85 stabilizers out there. Or every 3-4 tanks, run a tank of 93 from a good station. Stick to heavy traffic gas stations, as their fuels sit less.

 

[bunk22]

Sounds like fairly accurate #'s not a happy dyno. Autos seem to do well in recent years when it comes to hp loss to the wheels. You have a nice flowing exhaust set up, IM, and the E85. I would have guessed your power would be right around where it is.

Good to know for sure. I havent run this car, just busy with life unlike when I used to have my C6 and did the dyno, then track to back up claims. Closet track is am 1/8 mile about two hours away. I may get tires, DRs, along with my suspension mods and start runnuning my car when I move to San Antonio. The Circle D converter has been, hands down, the best mod to this car.

With injectors, maybe my tuner can get a little more power out of her.

 

[Saywhen]

I've been thinking of E85, but my car sits for sometimes more than a week at a time.

Unless you enjoy hearing the starter turn over and over and over and over when the temp is below 70*, you'll wanna stay away from e85. It bothered me so bad I switched completely back to 93. I couldn't stand the fact that my car was 8 months old with 4K miles and over 15k invested and it wouldn't crank up on a 60 degree day. E85 is finicky, runs like a scalded cat.....when you finally get it started up, but e frustration of cranking it was too much for me. Just my .02

 

[Edgar702]

I think I'm going with a E85 flex fuel tune that way on regular days or long trips I'll use 93 and track days E85

 

[Tommy V]

Unless you enjoy hearing the starter turn over and over and over and over when the temp is below 70*, you'll wanna stay away from e85. It bothered me so bad I switched completely back to 93. I couldn't stand the fact that my car was 8 months old with 4K miles and over 15k invested and it wouldn't crank up on a 60 degree day. E85 is finicky, runs like a scalded cat.....when you finally get it started up, but e frustration of cranking it was too much for me. Just my .02

I don't know who tuned your car but u need to.fire them,I have started my car in 20 degree weather and never had to hit the start button more then one time.It may stumble a little on first start but never had to keep cranking mine.

 

[Saywhen]

I don't know who tuned your car but u need to.fire them,I have started my car in 20 degree weather and never had to hit the start button more then one time.It may stumble a little on first start but never had to keep cranking mine.

It's not a tuning issue. It's built by finishline performance and tuned by Lund. Not all cars are the same my friend. Quality of e85 has a lot to do with it as well, I have to drive 22 miles to one store (if they have it) or 30 miles one way to the other if they have it just to get e85 and have to take what I can get at that point. For you to bash my tuner for cranking issues on E85 is obsurd. Lund is the best in the business and John jr cant control fuel qualities across the country. I'm happy your ride fires right up on it. That's great...it doesn't work for me

 

[Bluemustang]

FWIW my car has always fired up with E85. I've started in single digits a few times. When its very cold, it does turn over a few times before it actually fires up. Luckily for me my tune works right and I live in an area where finding E85 is not difficult.

I don't run E85 exclusively and usually switch back to 93 every other tank. My car tends to run better when I have closer to all E85 or all 93 octane. The top end power of the E85 is noticeable but more noticeable is the torque gains in normal driving. In the lower RPM ranges the engine feels stronger.

Question, what additives should I consider using for upper engine lubrication, things like that? Or is cycling 93 octane like I am enough?

 

[CEHollier]

Unless you enjoy hearing the starter turn over and over and over and over when the temp is below 70*, you'll wanna stay away from e85. It bothered me so bad I switched completely back to 93. I couldn't stand the fact that my car was 8 months old with 4K miles and over 15k invested and it wouldn't crank up on a 60 degree day. E85 is finicky, runs like a scalded cat.....when you finally get it started up, but e frustration of cranking it was too much for me. Just my .02

When it's cold E85 may turn an extra revolution or two. But nothing like you described. Lund tuned my car too.

 

[1badrz28]

I live in MN and my Lund tuned e85 car fires right up. I don't even notice a difference from 93 to e85. Something is wrong and if the quality of e85 is bad, meaning its like e50, the car should even fire up more quickly. You need to get it looked at or log the car firing up.

 

[DarkestHour]

My car fires up perfectly fine on E85 even on cold morning. Might just need an adjustment to the cold cranking tables.

 

[1badrz28]

I'd also recommend buying an e85 tester. Than you know where you stand on the ethanol content at your station.

 

[Saywhen]

I have tested the fuel at both stations before putting it in my car and it looked pretty good but when it started getting colder outside I switched it over to the flex tune and started running 93. I swear dudes I couldn't stand it. It would turn over so many times I would abandon the start then try and restart it. BUT that was on the strait E85 tune and not he flex tune...I haven't put a drop of e85 in it since I switched it over last year

 

[CEHollier]

I have tested the fuel at both stations before putting it in my car and it looked pretty good but when it started getting colder outside I switched it over to the flex tune and started running 93. I swear dudes I couldn't stand it. It would turn over so many times I would abandon the start then try and restart it. BUT that was on the strait E85 tune and not he flex tune...I haven't put a drop of e85 in it since I switched it over last year

Might want to contact Lund. Mine does fine on cold days. An extra revolution or so and it fires right up.

Sponsored