E85Forum.com

Revision · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Carol Stream, IL

Just a quick poll.
Who in the forum is currently working on their own E85 conversion rather than buying an existing E85 car?

For example:
I'm working on converting a 2005 Subaru WRX using existing knowledge provided by Hotrod. I already have the programable ecu and 550cc injectors needed as well as some assorted exhaust pieces that need to be modifed to suit my needs. Ran out of funds and am currently waiting for a few more parts before continuing. Have access to at least 2 E85 stations which are part of my daily weekly route so getting E85 won't be an issue.

The final goal for the Subaru is reliable travel on E85. This means minimal tweeks to the engine or turbo, but standard upgrades to the exhaust system. This has proven to be the most reliable setup.

hotrod · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 872 Location: Colorado

Same here for 2002 WRX, currently in phase 2 of the process. Car is on blocks in the garage for the winter and doing and re-doing some things.

Will be pulling the oem fuel filter and taking a good look at it after a few thousand miles of ethanol exposure etc.

Back on the road this spring with bigger turbo, new bigger injectors etc.

Larry

quickd100 · Joined: 01 Oct 2005 Posts: 14

I've been converting my old hotrod truck to E-85. It's been confined to the garage until the weather warms up again though. Sad

Dave
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1.595-60ft., 7.621-1/8, 12.19@105.88-1/4

BURNALCOHOL · Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Raymond,NE

I converted a 1999 escort ZX2 using the converter from Brazil, Flextek.
When E85 price around here permits I am working on ways to try to lower my MPG. I get about 15% less right now using staight E85.

I also am thinking about building a Charles 803 Still.
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Jeremy Nicholls

aero · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 3

I've been running it for the last week in my 95 Eagle Talon TSi. I'm using the Megasquirt standalone to run the engine. Gas mileage has gone down quite a bit, alot of which is I don't even have a good base tune using the MS yet. It made a huge difference in detonation resistance of the engine. I'm going to have to go back to premium gas though. The nearest E85 station right now is about 60 miles away.

delco · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa

I have run E85 back when it was cheeper than ethonol. I bought it for my my 95 crown victoria and my lawnmower. I would be willing to convert it but it runs fine. What would I have to fix? The check engine light don't even come on.

sprinto7 · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Iowa

[quote="Revision"]Just a quick poll.
Who in the forum is currently working on their own E85 conversion rather than buying an existing E85 car?

quote]
I'm working on converting my Acura RSX-S powered Autoccross car to E 85. I have a programable Hondata ECU and will be switching from stock 310cc injectors to RC 550 cc injectors.
My original SWAG is to increase fuel supply be 35% an see how it runs.
If anyone has better suggestions I'll be glasd to listen.
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Del Long

sprinto7 · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Iowa

[quote="sprinto7"]

geokoppmann · Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Santa Fe

I just ordered the Full Flex kit for my '98 Ford F150 XLT 2x4 w/3.2L V-6 SFI @ 96,xxx miles. The only changes to the Stock truck are a Monroe Muffler and 3" Exhaut and Tail Pipe; a K & N Air Filter with the OEM housing opened up by 90% and an Auburn 4:11 Limited Slip Differential.

I had two Dyno Runs made on Sat. so I have the 'Before' HP and Torque curves and A/F ratio curves to work from. After the Full Flex kit has been run with a full tank of E-85, I'll make two more Dyno runs to see what difference E-85 makes.

And, for the past year or so I've kept detailed fuel mileage records of before the above mods and after. My current gas mileage varies from 17.1 to 19 mpg depending on whether I run with the tailgate up or down and whether I'm fighting a tail wind or not. Also, my normal running altitude varies between 5,000' msl and 7,800' msl.

I'll keep you all posted on how things progress and will post the Dyno run files.
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George in Santa Fe

quickd100 · Joined: 01 Oct 2005 Posts: 14

I bought a LM-1 meter and have since converted a carter thermoquad over to E-85. My mileage is about 90% of my best gas mileage. I also increased my compression to 11.2-1 and wish I had another point compression. Dave
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1.595-60ft., 7.621-1/8, 12.19@105.88-1/4

WR^2X · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Geneva, IL

Just to add to the discussion...

I have a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi that I have converted to run on E85. In addition to E85, I have E35, and 93 octane E10 maps. These three maps cover basically the entire range of fuel mixtures that my car would see. For daily driving I am running the E85 map and getting between 88 and 90% of my usual 93 octane E10 fuel economy, though I am still tweaking it.

I'm running UTEC engine management, tuned by myself for the E85 and E10 maps, using a TurboXS Tuner with a VW WBO2 sensor for wideband readings. Additional modifications include a 20G turbocharger, 850cc injectors, upgraded fuel pump, catless 3" turboback exhaust, intake, and upgraded top mount intercooler. The E35 map dynoed at 350 WHP with an exhaust leak... Butt dyno says the E85 map has noticably more power.

ender · Joined: 12 May 2006 Posts: 15 Location: minneapolis

i'm currently working on converting a toyota MR2.
i'm still in the process of slightly recoding a GM 7749 ECM to run the toyota engine. this will allow me the freedom to run whatever mix i want, since it's possible to load more than one map onto a chip and switch between them on the fly.

i plan to run staged injection as well, with the secondary injectors coming on as i come into boost to preserve driveability in low load situations. i'm trying to determine if i should code this into it or simply change the boost VE table to compensate.

i'm really anxious to get it done as well, with the TD06 on the car it should be pretty quick...

97hatch · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 5

im converting my 90 crx drag car to run e85

Steve · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Lake Orion, MI

My Cavalier has been converted over to E85 using a FullFlex kit. She runs really well on E85. I'm currently putting gas back in to see how it runs with the FullFlex. It's not happy, I'll play with it for awhile to get it to run better. With gas I'm getting a PO172 code with the Trac Off light turning on. Here's a photo for those who care to look.
http://www.michigansoccer.net/2002_chevy_cavalier.htm

1outlaw · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Central Wisconsin

Keep us posted Steve- I will be interested in your results- cause of the code, MPG on NL gas before, MPG on NL gas & E85 after, performance and observations about operability issues such as cold start, hot idle, etc.
I have considered buying one myself for my 5.3L 2000 Yukon. What engine is in your Cavalier??