GST Tuned on E85 safe to drive on 93 Octane?

[stilletto]

The owner of this 97' GST is stating that the car has been tuned on E85, but is still drive-able on 93 Octane, though the car feels noticeably different.
I realize I'd have to have the car re-tuned on 93 Octane, since I live in Chicago, and there aren't too many stations that distribute E85, nor do I want to run a car on it, but is it safe to drive it on 93 Octane until taken into a shop?
I know nothing of E85, and couldn't really find any answers while searching.
Thanks in advance!

Cars for Sale: 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST in DUNDEE, IL 60118: Hatchback Details - 301280031 - AutoTrader.com

 

[kenuwine4g63]

Didnt look at it, but when you run e85 im pretty sure the injectors are HUGE for 93 oct. And the timing may be advanced too high to for 93 oct. Try to get it tuned with some sort of logger, link, aem something. Just so you know where you stand

Ok i just read it. You should be fine 750s are a decent size but for e85 they may be too small. recirculate that bov, and definitely get it tune if it isnt already. If it is already im pretty sure its been on straight gasoline. But im not the seller so idk. Ask more questions from the seller..

 

[stilletto]

The owner says the BOV has been recirc'd since the pictures, so that's ok.
He's running E85 right now, and says it runs great.
I'll have to start looking for a shop that can take care of it.

 

[phunny]

No you can't. It would run like garbage.

 

[stilletto]

Is there something simple that can be done? Re-flash the ECU to stock?

 

[kenuwine4g63]

The owner says the BOV has been recirc'd since the pictures, so that's ok.
He's running E85 right now, and says it runs great.
I'll have to start looking for a shop that can take care of it.

He's runing e85 now?? Nah turn the boost down, run gasoline DO NOT go on any WOT pulls. You do not know how it is tuned. It may not even start if u put gas in it depending on how its tuned

 

[Absit]

It's tuned with an SAFC, and based on the actual injector size it's probably not tuned at all, just zero'd out. You could do a rough and tumble tune right there to get it ballpark and drive it relatively safely on premium - the timing won't be altered at all and based on injector size he's not running any more boost than you would on a stock fuel system. That's assuming he's got it tuned via SAFC as the ad implies.

 

[stilletto]

If I can pick this thing up for cheap, what's my best way around getting rid of that E85 junk?
Trailer it back? Drain the tank? Reset the ECU?

 

[400hp93talon]

By the way it sounds your not to experienced with this stuff so your best bet would probably be to trailer it home honestly!

 

[Absit]

You need to learn about tuning before you buy a car that you'll need to re-tune just to get to a shop/home.

 

[FearlessNick]

Yea, take it to a tuner ASAP.

 

[MY1GDSM]

I live in Chicago, and there aren't too many stations that distribute E85, nor do I want to run a car on it,

I know nothing of E85, and couldn't really find any answers while searching.
Thanks in advance!

Mind if I ask why you don't want to run a car on it ? Since you know nothing about it?

FYI, From my understanding there is plenty of E85 Stations in the Chicago area...



Also the amount of fuel that going to have to be pulled with 750's on gas(using a Safc) is going far from safe compared to the fairly small amount of fuel when using E85 since E85 requires roughly 25% more fuel (depending on the Blend)...

 

[Absit]

Also the amount of fuel that going to have to be pulled with 750's on gas(using a Safc) is going far from safe compared to the fairly small amount of fuel when using E85 since E85 requires roughly 25% more fuel (depending on the Blend)...

Didn't even think to mention that but he's right. 750s will run barely larger than stock on E85, but are considered untunable on gasoline with an SAFC. You'll need to replace the injectors or tuning solution immediately.

Since there's obviously E85 where he lives, just drive it home and to the shop on E85?

 

[phunny]

If I can pick this thing up for cheap, what's my best way around getting rid of that E85 junk?
Trailer it back? Drain the tank? Reset the ECU?

Just by this statement I would recommend not buying this car. Thinking that you can "reset the ecu" and that "e85 is junk" you are more than likely going to get fed up with the car and just sell it. You should do a lot of research and go from there. But if you must buy it, trailer it to a good shop and have them do all the work.

 

[stilletto]

You need to learn about tuning before you buy a car that you'll need to re-tune just to get to a shop/home.

I'd rather spend the cash and have the car re-tuned for 93 Octane by a professional.

 

[MY1GDSM]

But.... Why not just continue to run Ethanol?

Its far from "junk"

Another FYI it has a minimum 105 octane rating

 

[19BLACKGST98]

Didn't even think to mention that but he's right. 750s will run barely larger than stock on E85, but are considered untunable on gasoline with an SAFC. You'll need to replace the injectors or tuning solution immediately.

Since there's obviously E85 where he lives, just drive it home and to the shop on E85?

You can adjust the 750s with the safcII but just barely. Any bigger and you will need somthing else.

Edit: mine were delph 750...a higher flowing 750 may not work.

 

[stilletto]

But.... Why not just continue to run Ethanol?

Its far from "junk"

Another FYI it has a minimum 105 octane rating

I guess I'm not comfortable enough with it, since I've never dealt with it.
This is going to be my new daily, so I'd rather not toy around with it too much right away.
Aside from that one issue, what does everyone think?
He has paperwork proving he had the engine rebuilt and turbo installed by professionals.
Also talked him down to $5500.

 

[Absit]

I'd rather spend the cash and have the car re-tuned for 93 Octane by a professional.

Yeah, much better to be completely ignorant of it so if the tuner just happens to be an idiot, or messes something up, or misses a small detail, you're blind to it and your car explodes.

This is going to be my new daily, so I'd rather not toy around with it too much right away. Aside from that one issue, what does everyone think?

A daily driver modded by someone else, always brilliant.

Also talked him down to $5500.

I'm sorry, did you say a modified GST for $5500? You're completely insane.

 

[stilletto]

Not sure where all the hostility is coming from, sorry if I provoked it with my question.
If I do indeed pick this car up, it will be taken to a reputable shop for service and inspection.
I was in search of a simple question.. that's it.
I appreciate those who gave me useful advice.

 

[Absit]

I thought I was being quite nice.. Regardless, what I said stands. This just isn't the car for you based on your input, and certainly not at that price, unless you just have money you don't want anymore.

Take it how you will. I won't pollute your thread anymore.

 

[19BLACKGST98]

In all honesty I wouldn't buy a GST for $5,500. It is a really clean looking car for having 150,000ish miles on it.

I would buy one if it was bone stock driven by a 50yr old lady and had 50,000 miles on it...and before I would drive that back home I would throw a new timing belt on it.

You should just wait around for a better priced GSX with less mods done to it so that you can have your reputable shop do what YOU actually want done to it. Just my 2 cents.

Also I'm not a GST hater I actually have one. Locally there was a GST for sell last month that just needed the timing adjusted and it sold for $1000...I wanted to buy it but my wife didn't feel the same.