[Trochoidal]

Let’s see how much we all like our alternative fuel. Just a couple of questions for some quick answers. (Inspired by Ventmaster)

So how long have you been running E85?

Do you use E85 or 93 more?

Has E85 provided a good experience?

It’s been almost two years. I run E85 more than 93 and it’s been a good experience.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=10

[Mike Aruba]

Been on e85 since Tuesday night. One thing I noticed, it changed the tone of my exhaust a bit. Car sounds deeper now, and doesn't pop or burble as much anymore.
I'll probably keep using e85 unless I get lazy one day or am just in a rush for whatever reason and just put 93. The e85 is a bit out of my way.

[Puddin]

Been on straight E85 for three years now with no issues. It's especially useful since I have no cats so the smell isn't near as strong as 93.

[KingLT1]

Been running E85 or a mix of for 3yrs...personally I like to run E55-60. Still pretty much nets all of the power gains as full E85, cranks less on cold start, and gets about 1-1.5mpg better then E80. Exhaust tips stay pretty clean too. Once you get below E50 then you start to give up some gains and the exhaust tips turn black faster. Moral of the story...E60 is the sweet spot imo.

[Trochoidal]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Been running E85 or a mix of for 3yrs...personally I like to run E55-60. Still pretty much nets all of the power gains as full E85, cranks less on cold start, and gets about 1-1.5mpg better then E80. Exhaust tips stay pretty clean too. Once you get below E50 then you start to give up some gains and the exhaust tips turn black faster. Moral of the story...E60 is the sweet spot imo.

Something I didn’t know was MBT @ E60 until I read one of your past post.

[laynlo15]

Little under a year. Love it but can't run it during the winter since its so cold here in Missouri, but thats just a few months. I run straight 93 octane starting about November 1st just incase I can't drive if for a while. I don't want it sitting in my garage for 4-5 month with E in it since it has so much alcohol.

[s346k]

So how long have you been running E85? since april 20

Do you use E85 or 93 more? ethanol when i'm driving the car, 93 during winter when i don't drive it.

Has E85 provided a good experience? yes. wish i had done it sooner.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Been running E85 or a mix of for 3yrs...personally I like to run E55-60. Still pretty much nets all of the power gains as full E85, cranks less on cold start, and gets about 1-1.5mpg better then E80. Exhaust tips stay pretty clean too. Once you get below E50 then you start to give up some gains and the exhaust tips turn black faster. Moral of the story...E60 is the sweet spot imo.

Help me understand why E60 is the sweet spot. Not a challenge, a real question. I’ve been running E85 for a few months. Where I live I can get E85 for $1.99 within a mile of my house. I can get 93 for around $2.60 at Costco or $2.89 everywhere else. Car has more power using E85, tips stay cleaner. Gets better fuel economy using 93, but not enough to eat up the price difference.

[7LitreC5]

I've been running E85 since August 2019. I run it exclusively until right before I put the car away for the winter. I switch back to 91 at that time and then back to E85 when I take the car out in the spring.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Help me understand why E60 is the sweet spot. Not a challenge, a real question. I’ve been running E85 for a few months. Where I live I can get E85 for $1.99 within a mile of my house. I can get 93 for around $2.60 at Costco or $2.89 everywhere else. Car has more power using E85, tips stay cleaner. Gets better fuel economy using 93, but not enough to eat up the price difference.

Hey,

Yes I have done all the calculations on the cost running E. I have been running the stuff for several years now. E85 is still cheaper to run due to the cost difference but some don't like to see the mileage loss.

Just to be clear you can't buy "advertised" E60. You have to mix 93 and E85 about 60/40 E85/93(ymmv depending on the pumps actual Ethanol content) to get a 60% E content ratio. Also keep in mind, Just because you buy "advertised" E85 at the pump doesn't mean it's actually E85 either. I see it range from E70-E82 around here at different pumps in the summer and E60-E66 in the Winter.

E60 provides about 95% of the power gains of E85. It also provides a little better fuel mileage, easier cold starts, and takes a bit of strain off the fuel system. The latter only matters if you have enough mods that the fuel system is close to it's limits. So that is why I consider it the sweet spot. The caveat is you have to mix it and on a basic bolt-on car it's easier just to fill up whatever the E pump gives you and drive on down the road. I too just ran it straight when I was NA because it was easier. What I said probably pertains more to those who have Forced Induction.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Hey,

Yes I have done all the calculations on the cost running E. I have been running the stuff for several years now. E85 is still cheaper to run due to the cost difference but some don't like to see the mileage loss.

Just to be clear you can't buy "advertised" E60. You have to mix 93 and E85 about 60/40 E85/93(ymmv depending on the pumps actual Ethanol content) to get a 60% E content ratio. Also keep in mind, Just because you buy "advertised" E85 at the pump doesn't mean it's actually E85 either. I see it range from E70-E82 around here at different pumps in the summer and E60-E66 in the Winter.

E60 provides about 95% of the power gains of E85. It also provides a little better fuel mileage, easier cold starts, and takes a bit of strain off the fuel system. The latter only matters if you have enough mods that the fuel system is close to it's limits. So that is why I consider it the sweet spot. The caveat is you have to mix it and on a basic bolt-on car it's easier just to fill up whatever the E pump gives you and drive on down the road. I too just ran it straight when I was NA because it was easier. What I said probably pertains more to those who have Forced Induction.

Thanks for the explanation. I think I’m pretty much done with my mods and intend to stay NA, so I’ll likely stay all E85.

[MatthewAMEL]

E85 for more than 3 years now. Only use 93 when I can't find E85 traveling.


Keeps the tailpipes nice and clean and my wife says it smells like popcorn when I start the car.


One thing to keep in mind about E85...the non-ethanol part is standard gasoline, but the octane of the 'filler gas' varies widely from supplier to supplier.


I have seen 83 octane used and 93 octane used. RaceTrac uses 87 octane here in Florida. There are a few pumps around that use 93 octane as the filler. That's the gas I use when going to the Dyno.



Just something to keep in mind if you are chasing a magical 'octane number'.

[Trochoidal]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

E85 for more than 3 years now. Only use 93 when I can't find E85 traveling.


Keeps the tailpipes nice and clean and my wife says it smells like popcorn when I start the car.


One thing to keep in mind about E85...the non-ethanol part is standard gasoline, but the octane of the 'filler gas' varies widely from supplier to supplier.


I have seen 83 octane used and 93 octane used. RaceTrac uses 87 octane here in Florida. There are a few pumps around that use 93 octane as the filler. That's the gas I use when going to the Dyno.



Just something to keep in mind if you are chasing a magical 'octane number'.

Earlier today a friend and I were talking about the “base” fuel in E85. It was a two fold conversation. One was the octane of the base fuel. The second was the fact E85 prices have been increasing at the same pace of gasoline. (Or close To the same pace)

[laynlo15]

Corn prices are up this year and so is oil. I've been paying about 2.24 (yesterday E65) and 93 was 3.06 so a good saving and I'm not doing this because of cost, I'm running E cause it makes a shit load of power over 93 and smells much better thru the exhaust. Its the best bang for the buck if you drag race and worth almost a full 1/2 second and 4 mph in the 1/4 mile. Add headers and x pipe and over 9 tenths and 9 mph over 93 octane with no other mods on the same track with almost identical temps and DA. You can't go wrong with it in my opinion. Don't worry about what the dyno says its the track times the count for me.