Gas mixed with ethanol

[Purple Venom]

My Uncle and Dad have this theory that gasoline mixed with ethanol will lower your fuel mileage. At first, I really didn't give this much thought, but I know from personal experience, that when I fill up with ethanol, I get 16mpg on the highway. With gasoline mixed with ethanol, I usually get 18mpg. I noticed this last time, I filled up once on gasoline that wasn't mixed with any ethanol, at least, there was no sign saying so. I got 20mpg. So, next time you fill up, notice if it's 10% ethanol in it or not, then notice your fuel mileage and let me know. Also, aren't gas stations required to post if it's an ethanol mix or not? Ever notice a difference in price?

[PaulProe]

Tim,
There is a term called "heat of combustion" that scales how much energy is in a given material. Gasoline is 20,000 BTU/lb. Ethanol is 12,000 BTU/lb The more ethanol you mix with gasoline, the number averages lower, thus the lower energy and also the lower MPG.

I think the station does have to say if it is using ethanol, it is a common "oxygen-ator" to blend into fuel to meet pollution requirements. Some used to use MBTE but I don't think it is as commonly used anymore. Amounts are higher in the winter to meet EPA requirements. Thus your mileage drops slightly in the wintertime.

If you can still find 100% gasoline, that will give you the highest mileage. But it is also more expensive than the 90/10 ethanol blend. E85 is less expensive per gallon, but your mileage also suffers appreciably.

Now, if you delete the gasoline and mix in about 60% of nitromethane . . . :D:eek: Mileage isn't that great but boy does she go!

[A Snake]

E-85 is cheaper only because of government subsidy in form of less fed tax.
Ethonol is higher in octane, but as Paul says, not as effecient.

[mike w]

Pick 1 flex fuel vehicle and go on line to see mpg stats on gas and E85 its about 1/3 less mpg on E85 also 1 other down side many E85 cars have had problem starting in cold weather. Drag racers use E85 due to equal to 106 octane

[Purple Venom]

Thanks. Anyone know of stations in the area that sell 100% gasoline? Mike, for drag racing where fuel mileage obviously doesn't matter, does the higher octane in E85 really equate to more power? I've read where it has to be higher octane to equal say, 93 octane in gasoline.

If I knew my dollars buying E85 were 100% supporting american farmers, I would have no issue buying it regularly to support them and suffer the lesser mpg's. But, I'm sure the foriegners have their hands in that too. :rolleyes:

[mike w]

There is one slight problem with E85. Today you may E85 and check it and might be surprised to find it tests E90 or E75 it is not very stable but works great in newer cars with EFI due to if to lean the system will fatten up for you and if to rich will lean down. Mobil station by bass pro had it a year ago and it works great as a fuel de-icer 2 gal in your normal car fuel system in the fall will not hurt anything. E85 is 106 octane and you should use a synthetic oil due to moisture collecting in crankcase, at 1 time I was thinking about building a E85 carb and running it till I found out about the stability problem

[Purple Venom]

I thought E85 was mostly alcohol? Doesn't that evaporate moisture?

[A Snake]

As fuel prices continue to be volitile I purchashed a "chip" for my Mercury Mountaineer. I took a 1300 mile trip to North Carolina last week. It was a good test for me. Over the mountains and 2-1/2 hrs of stop and go traffic due to the weather. I gained 3 mpg..15%.
This chip is a good investment. Normally $300+..I got it for $75 delivered.
I also pulled my boat yesterday and could see a noticeable increase in power. I have the
4.0L V-6. I normally get 11-12 mpg and I got a whopping 14.5.
www.gforce.com
be patient as it took some tome to actually receive via USPS(10 days from date of shipment)
I also purchased one for my son-in-law's 5.7 Silverado but he has not installed it yet so I cannot report on it. Most fuel purchased was 10% ethanol

[Purple Venom]

Good info Mike. Do you have to specify what type of tune you want, or just order a standard chip burn?

[A Snake]

This not chip you put in the computor....it is a real simple external hook up.
Go to the sight and ordering info is simple...even I could do it.

[rednour1]

OK, I give up, I couldn't find it on the site. Just racing gear, helmets, gloves, etc.

Would this be the correct site:

http://www.gforcechips.com/

[TBULL]

Hey Mike, Good to know. I just purchased one from the same outfit 2 days ago for the 540. Right now my gas milage sucks, but it's coming around. I bought it mainly to go back and forth to work. I'm hoping the chip pays for itself quickly. Tim the site lets you select the chip for the make model and year of the car. I've been reading the thread with interest. The car gets bad gas milage with whatever type of fuel I run right now. I'll finish with the new plugs tomorrow and the chip next week hopefully. I want the car between 20 and 25 mpg. We'll see. Once everything shakes out I'll keep better track of the ethanol and and regualr gas. (If I can find any)

[mike w]

You guys may want to read up on these and be ready to disconnect these devices lie to the pcm and lean down the mixture. Not to harmful till warm weather then you can get detination. You might want to talk to Ommar about doing this 1st. This type tells pcm that intake air is much cooler. Check out this site http://www.obd2crazy.com/techdiat.html This is just 1 that touches on this subject

[A Snake]

Your are correct Mike...most after market chips do the same thing. I was after the mileage aspect and not the power. I will keep my eye on it when pulling the boat. This is a two wire plug and play and can be disconnected quite easily should problems arise.
I thought , for $75 what the hell, I'll try it.

[A Snake]

sorry 'bout that...it is www.gforcechips.com

[rednour1]

When I do a google search, almost all of the car forums have really bad reviews of this item. I'll stay posted and see what you guys come up with. To me, it almost seems like it is simply a resistor placed in the circuit.

[mike w]

Rob Mix has raced and worked with carbs for more than 30 years. Several years ago--from just an idea and the thought that if we can make a difference and have fun doing it--he started working with E85--researching, testing, including many Dyno hours and real-world tuning. Working from a great idea and seeing some of the most powerful engines run well on E85 has kept E85 Carbs moving forward. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, the shop can do many conversions a week. With UPS overnight E85 Carbs can do the work needed and have it back within a week. Conversions that we do are real-world tested before release. All final tuning will be up to you, the owner. E85 is 85 percent alcohol with 15 percent gasoline and has a 105-octane rating; this can cover lots of boost. Up to 13.5:1 compression. Yes, you need 30 percent more E85 than gas, so you do lose some mileage; so typically you will see a 3-cent-per-mile increase in cost over premium unleaded, but with racing-engine power.... Hmmm, let me think???

E85CARBS.COM

Price of gas per gal for this octane is around $7.50

[A Snake]

Willies Carb (now available at JEGS & Summit)in Mt Carmel, Il has been building alcohol carbs for years...mostly for the circle track crowd. He has dyno's and can tune your car also.
A few years back ('08)on the Hot Rod Power Tour, GM had highboy that was running E-85. They had some minor issues but were able to iron them out.
I considered converting my Cobra to E-85 when I put in the new motor...would need to change all lines and put a kit in the carb. Willie thought I would see noticable increase in performance.
My .02

[Purple Venom]

Anytime you use alcohol, you increase your chances of bad things happening, right? Interesting stuff.

[mike w]

Hey snake just say something I have the needle n seats and 30 and 50 cc green pump cups. I am looking for a old bg carb with the screw in boosters have the metering blocks already.