E85 Conversion adapters...

[johndjmix1]

Anyone tried one? Thining about it, as even with the lower milage E85 is cheep here in greeley and it does give more power...



--john

[dochummer]

Let us know how it goes...and how much it costs...

[f5fstop]

Not cheap, if even possible.

[Captain of the Titanic]

Why do it? You get less MPG per dollar than regular gasoline (which BTW in many cases is E90). With the price of gas falling, all that cash just doesn't make sense.

Here in North Dallas, The price of gas (low price) is 2.29/gallon, and Kroger will give you .10 off per gallon if you spend $100 on groceries. I have a charge card that gives me 5% cash back on gas, which means I'm paying a net of $2.08/gallon.

I would wait and see if gas keeps going down.

If you really want better gas mileage, I suggest headers, true dual exhaust (dual cats/mufflers) with 3" pipes and a free flow air filter. I have had good luck with this setup. I plan to do it on my new H2 as soon as my wife gets over the new rims and tires....

Good Luck!

[31_bandits]

to convert an engine to E85 means computer changes and internal engine changes as well.

pumps and lines and different things have to be made resistant to E85... my understanding is that it cannot be done to a 6 liter (an E85 conversion).

[mdoyle]

There are a few other things about E85 to consider; it is electrically conductive which could present a hazard in a non compliant fuel system.

It's BTU yield is less than gasoline so any savings in purchase price is usually negated by lower mileage. It's also hygroscopic meaning it attracts water, again this is a problem for non E85 flex fuel vehicles.

The higher octane rating while attractive to prevent detonation (engine knock) won't be realized without a change in the compression ratio (major engine modification) or timing advance (minor output increase).

I'm not knocking E85, our Town & Country is equipped for it and I just finished a 1750 hp motor design for an ethanol plant in Kansas last week.

Depending on who's math you agree with, Ethanol production currently uses more energy than it produces and could not exist without subsidies. Sugar Beets actually provide more yield but are not in widespread production.

I'm all for developing alternate fuels, but heavy reliance on the food supply for fuel production has high risk. It reminds me of being broke in college, do you want to eat or drive this week?

[ZigsRig]

Originally Posted by johndjmix1

Anyone tried one? Thining about it, as even with the lower milage E85 is cheep here in greeley and it does give more power...



--john

DONT DO IT!!!! My tahoe is a flex fuel truck, I get terriable milage (under 200 miles a tank) when i just use the E85 and it SUCKS driving in the high altitude!! Vail pass me when i tried to go over with the E85....

[johndjmix1]

Few things I know.

SEVERAL people, including one county for all of their county vehicles (looked up on google) have installed the e85 electronic box and done no other mods. One guy that did just that has an H2 and from what it looks he has been going 60,000 Plus miles so far.

Here is one of the adapters: http://flextek.com

The price of E85 should in theory always stay far enough below gas to make it worthwhile to run. If it didnt no one would buy it.....

Mike, i heard from others the same deal about e85 in the tahoe....definatly interesting. However, i also read up on people using e85 in other vehicles not having nearly as bad milage loss. Seems to depend on the vehicle.


--John

[mdoyle]

Wow, that link is downright wrong. Their basis for modification without violating any EPA mandates is due to an out of context quote, and even worse their science is wrong.

Here's the facts- E85 has 28% less energy than Gasoline, the 105 octane rating doesn't begin to offset that fact.

If you're really interested, here's a Wikipedia link that isn't from a company trying to sell anything:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85

After reading the Wiki article, you'll have a pretty good understanding of what E85 is all about.

Like I said before, E85 is a good alternative, but it has to be applied correctly. Snake oil salesmen and misuse will only work against it's acceptance.

Cliff's notes version, keep it out of your H2. You're risking damage to the catalytic converter and major engine components.

[johndjmix1]

Interesting. Heck, since gas has been coming way down its a null point to me now. Im thinking it will come under $2/gal here in colorado....

--John