Switching to E-85...HELP!

[bkstang95]

I am thinking of making the switch to E85 over the winter and before it heads to the dyno to get tuned before the season starts...It seems the more I read, the more confused I get...

What (if anything) will I need to replace to SAFELY run this with my current setup? 96/lb injectors, Magnafuel ProTuner 750 pump, stainless line from rails to a Y-block then hard line back to a few feet before pump (goes back to stainless braided line again).

I keep hearing that i will need more injector...which is true...but would just like to make due with what I have for now...and obviously can't afford to pay for Q16.

[TurboNG]

Need more info on your motor! You N/A or forced? Current HP numbers? Do you know what your injectors Duty Cycle is with your current set up?
Mike Bell Ran stock fuel Lines to Barney and it was a 390 something Windsor with 500HP <I think that was the HP and only had 42lb injectors, NA.
15% more fuel is average for most swaps!

[bkstang95]

It's a Dart block based 327, C4, PT-88 turbo. Off the top of my head I can't remember what the current injector duty cycle is but i'm thinking we pretty much maxed out 93 octane...

[TurboNG]

If the 96s are maxed out then you might want to look at something around 110-120 so they arnt at full duty cycle, or you could turn the boost down, you would make more power with the E-85 so you might be able to turn the boost down and make the same power but at a lower boost because of the E-85, or get new injectors and make more power..LOL

Some of these Tuners need to Chime in here....

[bkstang95]

I was afraid of that, but I keep seeing people making in the 800's on 96's...I guess i'm mainly concerned with anything that may wear due to making the switch. I've heard i have to get new O-rings for the injectors and the braided line will leak, etc., etc.

[dsmawd350]

youll be fine with what you have as far as line and shit . the 96's will make about 800 with 60+ psi of base fuel pressure

i have 10 gallons of c16 ill sell you cheap. just have 2 tunes one for 93 one for c16

[bkstang95]

Cool! I just keep hearing all these horror stories how E85 will eat away at things.

Is it safe to run 60psi base fuel all the time (on the street?)

[dsmawd350]

some injectors are made to handle high pressures better than others. thats why going to a bigger injector would be better you can run 43.5 base and not bandaid the system by just bumping up the pressure. I just picked up some 160's :)

[bkstang95]

I wonder if i will need to get a better regulator to bump the base pressure. I just have a pretty basic Aeromotive one....what do you think?
I'm pretty sure i'm set on keeping the injectors i currently have...tired of wasting money on this car. Always going to be someone else out there faster, so might as well just enjoy what i have for now. :lol:

[dsmawd350]

If its an adjustable 1:1 boost ref regulator you should be fine

[NXcoupe]

Cool! I just keep hearing all these horror stories how E85 will eat away at things.



All bullshit, I proved that with my vert and with barney. Vert made 600 rwhp with 60s and twin Walbro inline pumps. We tuned John's mod and made over 700 rwhp with his setup returnless, triple pump hat, and 83lb injectors I do believe. All on E85.
Why not just turn down the boost and see how you like E85 before you go making sweeping changes?
As for pumping up line pressure, you can do that, but it gives you one rich idle that isn't fun. And base pressure is 40 lbs on a ford, you can go higher, but why, unless it's an underinjected issue?
Call or pm if you have any questions about it....

[Jeff88coupe]

I would just switch to E85...turn the boost down..get it tuned right on low boost first. Then work your way up boost and power wise untill you find the limits of your injectors. Your fuel system will be fine with E85. I run a Weldon 2035 pump with teflon lined braided lines, 160# injectors, Magnafuel Adj. FPR. with E85. You should be able to make 750+ with your 96's on E85.

[dsmawd350]

As for pumping up line pressure, you can do that, but it gives you one rich idle that isn't fun. And base pressure is 40 lbs on a ford, you can go higher, but why, unless it's an underinjected issue?


which it is :lol:

[bkstang95]

This is all good news to hear! I was so afraid i was going to have to make a bunch of changes to even make the conversion. It looks like it will just be limited by the injectors is all then...

[05yellowgt]

E85 is just about the best fuel out there for a Turbo car. The power under the curve that you will pick up is amazing since the Turbo is going to be spooled much more quickly with the extra fuel volume needed for the E85. Plus the increased power potential due to the evaporative properties of the fuel.

[NXcoupe]

which it is :lol:

I was referring to the 43.5 statement you made....:lol:

[NXcoupe]

This is all good news to hear! I was so afraid i was going to have to make a bunch of changes to even make the conversion. It looks like it will just be limited by the injectors is all then...

Yep, unless you do what most everyone has said, and turn down the boost a bit to see how you like it first. Then swap injectors when funds permit.

[bkstang95]

Another dumb question...do i need to run a different heat range spark plug? I think i have been running NGK TR6's??

[05yellowgt]

I think my setup could have used a step higher heat range plug, but it ran fine with what I was running. I'd recommend sticking with what you were running for gasoline and see how it reacts and go from there. You won't need any colder of a plug, just maybe a step hotter.

[bkstang95]

Cool. Thanks!

[dsmawd350]

6's geez im running 9's in mine

[bkstang95]

How fast has yours run with 9's in it?! Hahahahaha jfwy!

[Jeff88coupe]

I've run -9 and -10's in mine...didn't notice a difference between the two.

[dsmawd350]

how fast has your dart block 88mm car gone with 6's? exactly....:lol:

[bkstang95]

Oh it hasn't set any records by any means...

[dsmawd350]

lol im just fucking with you but id definately look into running a much colder plug than a 6. 6's are for a h/c 75 shot ls1 lol

[bkstang95]

Word...may as well pick new plugs up before I hit the rollers...been sitting in the motor for 2 years now haha

[Paul408Notch]

I have regular ol Autolite 3924s in mine. According to Autolite, their heat range is a 4. :lol: 685/777 to the tire with no issues at all.

[bkstang95]

Hey Paul, just curious, what injectors are you running?

[Paul408Notch]

Hey Paul, just curious, what injectors are you running?

160lb Ford Motorsport.

[rollingthunder]

what are the storage requirements if a person wants to get say 55 gallons at a time. metal or plastic??

[91lxnos]

Ok this is all well and good for you injected folk, what about us carbed guys? What king of changes would I have in store to run the E85? And can you run reg gas on an E85 tune or run E85 on a reg gas tune? Just curious Im in the beginning stages of my build and was thinking E85 but didnt know what I had to do. Thanks Guys

[MFIELD]

Definately an adjustable carb will help. You can get an E-85 specific carb but then you will be pig rich if you run gas. As far as going bak and forth you would have to be changing jets, bleed and other things or you will be way to rich or to lean depending on how you had it tuned. I would suggest making a decision on what you want to run before you get started.

[91lxnos]

Definately an adjustable carb will help. You can get an E-85 specific carb but then you will be pig rich if you run gas. As far as going bak and forth you would have to be changing jets, bleed and other things or you will be way to rich or to lean depending on how you had it tuned. I would suggest making a decision on what you want to run before you get started.

ok then I could have an E85 carb and a gas carb and just have to change out carbs and thats all. for example... I was going to drive to Bowling Green and wanted better gas milage( I have been told E85 gets lower gas milage then reg gas) I could slap on my gas carb fill er up with gas and go.....Then when I get to Bowling Green swap out carbs and gas for E85 change plugs, and be good to go? What mods need to be done to run E85 with a carb? Running a 750 DP holly for E85?

[MFIELD]

I guess technically that would work. I would make sure when you switch you get all the fuel or e85 out before running it hard. Dont want to go lean and hurt something. As far as other stuff it should all work with either fuel. Just make sure you can supply enough with the e85. It doesnt get as much fuel mileage because you burn more of it. You would have to look at how much it is compaired to pump gas and decide if its worth making the swap. I think I would just stay with e85 and live with less mileage. The only other thing I could think of if you switch back and forth is keep a good eye on the filter. E85 will clean the varnish out of the lines and plug the filter I have heard.