E85 and possible mods

[Zac Reish]

I run an ecotec engine and I'm interested in being able to run e85. Is there anything I have to change within my fuel system to be able to run this type of fuel. For example. Fuel foam, fuel pump, fuel pressure. I understand that the tune in the ecu will have to be set up and tuned for e85 fuel but I want to make sure to cover all my bases. I ran 91 octane in my fuel system before. Beyond fuel, and ecu tune is there anything elso that needs to be changed?

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[redmist]

Fittings, lines, cell foam all need to be Ethanol safe. You'll also need to get considerably bigger injectors (you'll burn at least 30% more Ethanol than Petrol). Fuel pump and pressure regulator may also have to be changed if your burn exceeds what the pump is capible of. You'll also need to drain your cell after racing as Ethanol naturally absorbs water.

[Zac Reish]

I have AN fittings and stainless lines. Are these safe? The injectors in the motor are for ethanol or gasoline. Its a flex fuel engine so it can take both. Do you still recommend getting larger injectors beyond what comes stock on the engine. I want the option of being able to run fuel and ethanol via 2 fuel system switches.

[baja stu]

Don't do it, you will get horrible MPG.

[Zac Reish]

At this point I'm not worried about the mileage, I'm more interested in having the option and what it will take to do so. Thanks for the info though.

[redmist]

I would think that all AN fittings and stainless lines would be suitable for E85. Given the injectors will be sized for Ethanol fuel I'd think you should get more power on E85 than pump gas. I wouldn't go larger injectors. You want to work the injector as hard as you possibly can while not fusing the pintle. That's generally about the 85% injector duration. Given the engine is dual fuel and it's rescricted stock state the injectors won't be worked that hard. You'll certainly have to watch your fuel cell foam. To date I think Fuel Safe are the only ones to offer Ethanol safe foam. Also check your reg with your manufacturer. The seals and diaphram can wear prematurely given Ethanol based fuels.

As Ethanol has a very light top end and likes to bond with water you'll want to drain your cell/surge tank after every race and keep all fuel sealed.