E85: why aren't more folks running it?

[MikeyPee]

Availability? Mileage? Concerns about motor life? Cold start issues?

Thinking of converting, but it seems unpopular. Why?

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[RustedAngel]

Seems like more folks are concerned with immediately swapping to FI to make power as compared to really honing in on the power the engine has sitting on the table from the dealer lot.

Although I'd guess it doesn't help that you have worse gas mileage and less readily available fueling stations, combined with the fact that without testing constantly, you run the risk of damage.

 

[Chameleon]

Worrying about finding convenient E85 stations.

 

[TXREDNECK]

I make gasoline for a living so.... kind of job security to not run e85 lol

 

[Vile_the_Bastage]

Seems like more folks are concerned with immediately swapping to FI to make power as compared to really honing in on the power the engine has sitting on the table from the dealer lot.

Although I'd guess it doesn't help that you have worse gas mileage and less readily available fueling stations, combined with the fact that without testing constantly, you run the risk of damage.

Bingo. FI is always on once you upgrade. Slap a supercharger/turbocharger on your car, get it tuned, and for the most part forget about it. Run the same gas all year round without the need of a chemistry set to test your car's juice.

Some people are choosing to buy the Ecoboosts Mustang, not because of price, but because of fuel economy. A GT on E85 would spend a good chunk of its life sitting at one of the very few E85 stations. Oh, and per gallon, that stuff isn't that much cheaper then normal gas, if at all.

So to make up for the limited availability of E85, and the lower gas mileage, you are going to need two tunes. Don't think you are going to just run 93oct through 47lb injectors and call it a day. Have to tune your car to accept the upgraded injectors, and then of course there is a tune for running E85. If you are keen on continuously running E85, I suggest you take multiple fuel storage tanks with you, or prepare to wait for your slow ass SCT-X4 to swap your tunes back and forth.

I've run E85 on two different FI cars, and it is awesome. But, I can completely understand peoples unwillingness to run it because like Rusted said, it can be a chore to maintain.

 

[BCeagle08]

Because it's a pain in the ass if you need to fill up and there's no e85 around.

On my BMW 335i the piggyback tune allowed you to fill up on 93 without having to reflash your ecu off of your e85 tune. That was convenient.

 

[Grim_Reaper]

More companies need to start developing flex fuel system/tunes for this car. Best of all worlds

 

[TheHydro]

Lack of availability

 

[MikeyPee]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

I bought a nGauge, so switching 91 octane/E85 tunes should be easy I hope.

I can see how testing every fill up could be a pain in the ass.

My only real concern, I guess, is maintaining the health of the motor. Safe to assume there would be no issues running E85 long term?

 

[Mikeiscoo2]

I Run E85 in my mustang when I take it to the drag strip other than that I convert it back to 93. as someone who changes from E85-93 a lot I can say that E85 is worlds better even for a none FI car. the car runs smoother and at lower temps. power comes on better as you apply throttle and the car still has a noticeable increase in power. If E85 were more common I would run it all the time. as for MPG. I went from 26 on the highway with 93 down to 19-20 with E85. around town I went from 15-18 with 93 down to 11-13 sometimes 14 mpg with E85. the cheaper price kinda compensates for the worse mpg. like I said though if it were more common there is no way in hell I would ever run 93 again.

 

[MikeyPee]

FWIW, I have a Chevron with an E85 pump two blocks from my house.

 

[evin23]

How do I run e85 on my mustang?

 

[Grim_Reaper]

I Run E85 in my mustang when I take it to the drag strip other than that I convert it back to 93. as someone who changes from E85-93 a lot I can say that E85 is worlds better even for a none FI car. the car runs smoother and at lower temps. power comes on better as you apply throttle and the car still has a noticeable increase in power. If E85 were more common I would run it all the time. as for MPG. I went from 26 on the highway with 93 down to 19-20 with E85. around town I went from 15-18 with 93 down to 11-13 sometimes 14 mpg with E85. the cheaper price kinda compensates for the worse mpg. like I said though if it were more common there is no way in hell I would ever run 93 again.

What did you do to support the use of E85? How do you switch back and forth?

 

[rio16]

FWIW, I have a Chevron with an E85 pump two blocks from my house.

wifeys parents live close by stevenson and paseo... must be that chevron in the corner =)

 

[Vile_the_Bastage]

How do I run e85 on my mustang?

Get some 47lb or greater fuel injectors and purchase a tune; all the reputable tuners have a map for it. Also make sure you have a tune for regular pump gas as well to accommodate for the new injectors.

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