The Complete Ethanol Thread

[Hanaldo]

Fugged if I know.

I dropped in there yesterday and asked what's going on as they are listed as having E85 on the website. There were two guys behind the counter, one stared blankly at me, the other clearly knew what I was talking about. The knowing one said they dug up the forecourt (which you could see) to install the required lines but then figured out that the tanks were fibreglass and therefore unsuitable for E85.

Would be interesting to hear from someone in the know. I assume the alcohol and fibreglass resin probably do not get along too well? Anyone know the chemical reason (assuming that is the reason) why there is a problem with putting ethanol into FG tanks?

Whats wring with fibreglass tanks? All new caltex sites are getting fibreglass tanks to replace the old steelies

The issue is that under normal circumstances, fibreglass is resistant to ethanol but not proofed. So over time, your average fibreglass fuel tank will dissolve with ethanol. But fibreglass tanks that are designed for use with ethanol are lined with a special resin that proofs them against ethanol.

So the new tanks will be suitable as they will be designed for it, the old tanks that are already in place will not.

[HYPED6]

I think most cars from other turners don't have AFR's that rich because they don't believe it's needed. I know we sure don't have a need to tune that rich and don't have issues (very long and healthy life motors), but if it works for you then all power to you.

2 things........ If the engine doesnt need 10.5:1 then it wouldnt get it. Tempretures are the decided of this one. You should probalby shoot Nissan, or ford, or toyota an email and tell their engineers that they have had it worng for years and they are wasting valuable fuel in the search of reliability.

Also your idea of high power and dans idea of high power are probably 2 differnt things.

[SimonR32]

In your case, with a single 044 running the show, your tuner probably has no choice.

I'm also referring to cars that actually do fast 1/4 mile times. They are the ones that matter

What are your EGT's?

Just put in a Walbro E85 pump, still only going to run 11.6-11.8

[The Dan]

Just put in a Walbro E85 pump, still only going to run 11.6-11.8

There's nothing wrong with 11.6-11.8 AFR, I was very specific about when though

[SS8_Gohan]

oooo and Ethanol thread... cool

here's my write up of my E adventures... and looking at the date, it's been a whole year already!

E85/98 Flex-Fuel Mission Complete! Thanks To Chequered Tuning!

[HEKT1K]

No e85 @ Eltham?

Mother. f**kers.

[Piggaz]

oooo and Ethanol thread... cool

here's my write up of my E adventures... and looking at the date, it's been a whole year already!

E85/98 Flex-Fuel Mission Complete! Thanks To Chequered Tuning!

Yeah.... Fly your flag more! haha

[NYTSKY]

Most of these engines need 10.5:1 AFR as they come up to peak torque but seldom do we ever see that when cars come from other tuners......and that's why the engines that Sean tunes for us live a very long and healthy life.

My current tune is on the richer side (mid/high 10s) at full load. Keeps EGTs on the cooler side and is a nice buffer when making stupid power.

[Piggaz]

My current tune is on the richer side (high 10s) at full load. Keeps EGTs on the cooler side and is a nice buffer when making stupid power.

High 10's. Is that on petrol AFR's?

[NYTSKY]

I think so.

[Piggaz]

I think so.

I'd hope so seeing that stoich for E85 is 9.76:1!

[HYPED6]

Ok..... I missed something....... and this is very important.

Lambda:1 for E85 is important how every there is a small miss conception about how AFR meters actually read the air and fuel ratio.

Now when all the oxygen is burnt in the combustion chamber and there are no hydrocarbons (raw fuel) left this is lambda 1 for any fuel.

Oxy sensors read in lambda not air fuel ratio.

Now we all know Lambda 1 for 98 octane is 14.55-14.80:1 depending on composition of the fuel and what additives are in it on that day.

Regardless of the AFR you 02 will always read in lambda.

Now, your AFR meter will convert Lambda to what ever calculation you put into it. So if you say that lambda 1 should display 9.76:1 then it will.

An easy way to explain it is to show what happens if you change from 98 octane to methanol on the same tune.....

Tune an engine to 14.7:1 (lambda 1) on a dyno for 98 octane.

Drain the tank, fill with methanol

Start engine...... now the engine will be super lean because Lambda 1 for methanol 6.4:1

So you add more fuel to your tune.... and what do you know...... 14.7 (petrol) on the dyno is still lambda 1 regardless of fuel type because that's what the sensor reads in but will still display 14.7 on the dyno because that's what you have told it.

[Dale FZ1]

Formatting error, will repost

Edited July 15, 2012 by Dale FZ1

[Luke_ENR34]

What fuel filters you guys running? I need something with a Dash 10 fitting on it and the smaller the better.

[scotty nm35]

There is plenty on ebay but I bought the proflow 100 micron stainless mesh ones, no hassles with the Orings yet. A bit pricey though...

[Hanaldo]

Earls

[Piggaz]

1 x 63 micron filter between lift pump and surge tank

2 x 20 micron filters between 044's and fuel rail.

All 3 are washable MSCN items.

[The Dan]

You can get proflow fittings now with filters inside them. Worth considering also. Cuts the cost of filters down and you can put them in place of your regular fittings

[Cowboy1600]

Brand new United just opened on Yan Yeah Rd in Doreen....and it has E85!

Booyah! E85 5 minutes from my house

Happy days! Now it's a matter or saving the pennies for a HG and 1000cc injectors and I'm good to go.

[Dan_J]

a question for the tuners or those in the know,

is it possible to have an e85 tune that consumes fuel the same as running 98 yet makes power the same as running on 98 fuel, for example not tuning for max power on e85 yet priority no.1 is fuel consumption

and power results match up to 98 fuel on max a power tune ?

reason i ask is some people with smaller fuel tanks( 40L ke70's etc) and those that want their fuel to last just as long as 98 dont opt for the e85 route