Any EFI guys explore running E-85?

[rtreads]

I have a friend that works for a speed shop and owns a very fast Honda Prelude (last dyno I saw was 880+HP). He was telling me how he runs e-85 in it for the performace it can provide... 100+ octane, costs less than gas, and readily available.

I was wondering if anyone has set up a bronco to run on it? I think it would be REALLY cool.

[ZOSO]

Other than cheaper to fill and worse mileage its not worth it in the everyday vehicle. I run it in my cobra and being supercharged it loves it. It requires about 30% more fuel. So you need to make sure your fuel pump is up to it and the injectors are big enough. You will see gains from it if your turboed or supercharged.

[Shawns Fords]

Not in my Bronco, but it did great in my work truck, saved me a small fortune in a year the last time fuel was this high. I would seriously consider it if I had it up here. there are a lot of myths going around out there about it. I documented my mileage for a year comparing both types of fuel in a FFV and the E85 out performed both 85 and 87 octane gasoline. A lot of my friends at Bandimere have converted to "Tested E85". Is ypour friend by chance named Toby? HP Performance I think. Had a Honda Hellement the last time I saw him.

[rtreads]

...no his name is Steve.

[ZOSO]

Toby's hellement was badass for sure.

Are you sure you dont have E85 in steamboat. Last time I was up there for RMMR there was 1 station with it.

[Shawns Fords]

Toby's hellement was badass for sure.

Are you sure you dont have E85 in steamboat. Last time I was up there for RMMR there was 1 station with it.

There might be one, but I havent seen/noticed it. the more I think about this I may consider conversion. I have a pro charger from a 5.4l Lincoln but need brackets for a 289 (I have 5.4l Brackets) and then the Ethanol fuel would make that lil V8 turn them big axles with a lot less effort. Hmmmmmm

[Jesus_man]

A mechanic friend of mine runs a mixture of it in his 4.0L jeep. My brother accidentally filled his late model Saturn up with it and it quit on him. I would maybe run a mixture, but I don't think I'd run pure E85.

J.D.

[jim02]

I'm not going to get into the argument on this, i will say a few things so hopefully people will check their facts and go into E85 with full knowledge.

E85 has less stored energy then normal gas, and its a pretty good amount less, less energy means you are going to get less mileage due to this.
Maybe your a lucky duck and somehow less energy makes no diffrence in your mileage or your driving habits or other conditions changed and you did not notice.
Diesel has higher energy over gas and this is why diesels get better mileage over gas.

Can E85 damage an engine/components not made to use E85, yep. Will you have failure that you will notice during the time you own it, maybe and maybe not.
Maybe your not concerned because you wont keep your engine that long or you race and your engine is not suppose to last you 200k + miles, thats fine.

Lots of miss-information on the web, check the individual facts on this one, if opinions is what your after then your head will be spining with all the diffrent ones you will recieve.

[ZOSO]

I'm not going to get into the argument on this, i will say a few things so hopefully people will check their facts and go into E85 with full knowledge.

E85 has less stored energy then normal gas, and its a pretty good amount less, less energy means you are going to get less mileage due to this.
Maybe your a lucky duck and somehow less energy makes no diffrence in your mileage or your driving habits or other conditions changed and you did not notice.
Diesel has higher energy over gas and this is why diesels get better mileage over gas.

Can E85 damage an engine/components not made to use E85, yep. Will you have failure that you will notice during the time you own it, maybe and maybe not.
Maybe your not concerned because you wont keep your engine that long or you race and your engine is not suppose to last you 200k + miles, thats fine.

Lots of miss-information on the web, check the individual facts on this one, if opinions is what your after then your head will be spining with all the diffrent ones you will recieve.

I agree 100%. Speaking from personal experiance here. I have been running E85 in my mustang for almost 3 years now. It takes 30% more E85 to create the same power as gasoline. It does have it's perks. But a lot of down falls. Now for a regular vehicle you will not see the power gains that most boosted cars see. I had a few buddies switch over that had some built LSx's and didnt see any gains. As for mileage it's a drop but not as bad as one thinks. I have done a lot of tuning on my car and the mileage has been getting better.

On a bronco you will need to change the rubber hoses to a new hose that is better rated for the alcohol content. But E85 isnt as corrosive as most believe. The bad is the water content is greater. Tons and tons of info out there.

In all reality is it worth it on a bronco. No.

[Justin]

Again, what Jim said. A high compression or boosted Bronco will see greater power with E85, but you would need to run it 100% of the time to see major gains. The primary benefit of the E85 is the greater resistance to detonation, which allows higher cylinder pressures and therefore more torque. My turbocharged Mazda will make a little more power with E85 because the computer has some ability to adapt an pull less timing, but I'd reach the limits of the stock tune pretty quickly and only see a little benefit. There are guys in the Colorado Mazda Club making fairly big power (325-350hp instead of my 285) with E85 limited mods, but it takes aftermarket tuning solutions and custom maps. I agree, not much benefit in a Bronco unless you're looking for major power and are willing to spend a decent chunk of money on tuning and E85 compatible rubber parts.

[Shawns Fords]

Anyone in the parker area, watch for a early 90s F 250 7.5l ford filling up on E85 he is there or at the castle rock store. Let him know hes been ruining his truck for about 5 years now. LOL

[ZOSO]

It's not really ruining it. Just not really the best for it. If he has spent the time with a tuner and has had the EMS tuned then it will run just fine. Most vehicles built in the late 80's and newer can handle it. All of the fuel is now minimum 10% ethanol anyways.