E15 and maybe E30 fuel ? - Page 3 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

batchman · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghlkal

I would think the E85 would be corrosive to a number of components ...

Recent Grassroots Motorsports article on fuels indicated E85 as a problem for aluminum. One of the few times that magazine has had me wishing for more tech. I was having visions of gaining power, that quickly turned to an image of expensive intake ports and combustion chambers pocked to hell...

Best,
- Jeff

ghlkal · 01-02-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by batchman

Recent Grassroots Motorsports article on fuels indicated E85 as a problem for aluminum.

Wow, that would be a problem.

Lots of good stuff here, guys. I, too, wish we had a little more solid research on the effect E10+ on our systems.

Starman · 01-02-2013

At the very least get ready for all new fuel injectors (again). I've already put the RC injectors in my car. Two years ago when I bought them I did not see any injectors for a ZR-1 that were rated for more than 13% Ethanol.

I do have a Flex Fuel 5.4L 2010 F-150. I can tell you that it runs great on E85 (~105 octane) and is rated for 10 more HP than when on gas. I see about a 25% fuel economy penalty when using E85 over gas, 13 mpg vs 17.

The F-150 does have aluminum heads, so I would not worry about major components like that, but the "wetted" parts in the fuel system would have to be upgraded in size and materials. You will need about a 30% flow rate increase with E85 to delivery the same energy as the current system.

Interestingly enough, Ford does not recommend continuous operation on E85, suggesting every 4th tank or so be gas, I believe due to that lack of lubricity of the E85.

Jim Nolan · 01-02-2013

Here in the panhandle there are a few stations that advertise ethonel free premium fuel. It is only 91 octane but that is the lowest I can go with my mods. There is a web site that lists ethanol free stations by state and city.

01-02-2013	#23
Starman Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Speedway, IN Posts: 125	Re: E15 and maybe E30 fuel ? At the very least get ready for all new fuel injectors (again). I've already put the RC injectors in my car. Two years ago when I bought them I did not see any injectors for a ZR-1 that were rated for more than 13% Ethanol. I do have a Flex Fuel 5.4L 2010 F-150. I can tell you that it runs great on E85 (~105 octane) and is rated for 10 more HP than when on gas. I see about a 25% fuel economy penalty when using E85 over gas, 13 mpg vs 17. The F-150 does have aluminum heads, so I would not worry about major components like that, but the "wetted" parts in the fuel system would have to be upgraded in size and materials. You will need about a 30% flow rate increase with E85 to delivery the same energy as the current system. Interestingly enough, Ford does not recommend continuous operation on E85, suggesting every 4th tank or so be gas, I believe due to that lack of lubricity of the E85.

01-02-2013	#24
Jim Nolan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 241	Re: E15 and maybe E30 fuel ? Here in the panhandle there are a few stations that advertise ethonel free premium fuel. It is only 91 octane but that is the lowest I can go with my mods. There is a web site that lists ethanol free stations by state and city.