E85 vs. Race gas

[95talongirl]

So I have been debating this for a while.. well since its Winter, and there's nothing else to really do. I inquired about running E85 on my car, so really push this 16g. However I have some concerns about it....

1. The corrosive nature of alcohol. Now, in the discussions I've had over facebook and on a build thread, it seems that with more regular fuel flushes, running 93 once in a while, and changing out fuel filters seem to alleviate this. That seems a little high maintenance just to run it. Of course, the other option would be to change out the entire fuel system with rubber orings that can handle alcohol, and lines made of stainless steel. Again, seems a bit much...

2. E85 not really being E85. What I mean by that is how E85 is not as regulated as pump gas, therefore the E85 could be more like E70, but you wouldn't know. Granted I'm sure this doesn't make that big a difference, otherwise so many of you wouldn't be using it.

So it comes down to this question, what are the advantages of E85 over a race gas like 100 or 110? Other than price? With race gas, I would not have to change out fuel system components, other than injectors, if need to go bigger.

It just seems people forget about the race gas option altogether, and I'm wondering why? Is it just price or is there some other advantages of E85 I am missing?

Thanks.. and if this has been covered before, please link me!

 

[livedsm4g63]

Mainly price. Why spend a million dollars on race gas when E85 is 3.20 at the pump. Yeah you get a little less gas millage and you end up paying a little more then $15.00 more per tank, after you do all the math. Overall for it being around 100 octain, it gets the job done and its easier to get ahold of.

 

[MY1GDSM]

Here are a couple Threads on E85 here that got merged an pieced together from most the E85 related post on here... I'd take some of what is posted in these with a gain of salt not everyone posts with real world experiences.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/59040-alternative-fuel-e85-ethanol-corn-gas-e70-beginner-merged.html

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/372386-alternative-fuel-e85-e-85-ethanol-corn-gas-e70-advanced-merged.html

As far as corrosiveness it is I wouldn't worry a bit about all that... I've been running it for nearly 5-6 years now on a pretty much stock fuel system without a issue related to anything to of how corrosive Ethanol is... Depending on what kind of race gas you pump you could run into issues just as well.

When it comes to Lower blends In most cases if you are tuned on high blend of Ethanol when the blend changes it's not hard to tell and in most cases it doesn't hurt a bit to leave it be to an extent as it will fatten up a bit and that's not bad for the lower blend.

I know for me at one time I use to pay less then a $1 a gallon for E85 when I started running it at the time Race gas was over well over $5-6 a gallon. No brainier for me... Even with the price differace these day not as far off between pump 92 and E85 as it use to be it's still way cheaper then race gas.

 

[livedsm4g63]

Dont for get about the Lead

 

[bastarddsm]

E85 will make more power than a traditional race fuel 110, 112 ect. Highly oxygenated fuel like VP Import, or VP 113 will be closer to E85's performance.


E85 to E70, I've noticed about a 7% power drop, without touching the tune. Might have gained some back leaning it and taking timing out. I was at MBT on E85.

 

[95talongirl]

Thank you!