So I've read some threads about running E 85 in big horsepower engines(TT). I was always under the impression these engines required higher octane and that E 85 has less. What is it about E 85 that lets those engines live?
So I've read some threads about running E 85 in big horsepower engines(TT). I was always under the impression these engines required higher octane and that E 85 has less. What is it about E 85 that lets those engines live?
Ok so maybe "live" wasn't the best choice of words.
I guess I'm just curious as I know E 85 has less energy then gasoline so I would infer from that it would be more likely to detonate or pre ignite. Apperently this isn't the case as I've seen threads about high horsepower engines running on E 85 or having an E85 EFI tune. I was curious as to how this was being done.
The readers digest version is...
You need close to double the amount of alcohol as you do gas. Just by this fact alone, that helps keep the cylinder temps cooler.
Since it has less energy, you need a 14:1 compression ratio, to make good use of it.
Of course there is more to it than I am saying here, but this is the basis of how alcohol engines work.
I had quite a conversation with Gretch about the stuff up in Burley, since he is running it in the little E boat, and the guy I build dirt modified engines for is getting ready to try it out in a week or so on one of my engines he has been running race gas in. Another of my engines that belongs to a board member, with twin turbos has been running it for awhile now also.
I had actually wanted to do a direct dyno comparison while I was in Idaho, since I had gone up there to be present while one of my Comp Jet engines was run, but he got some kind of advice saying it would not work so he didn't try to lay his hands on a carb that we could test with.
Ok so maybe "live" wasn't the best choice of words.
I guess I'm just curious as I know E 85 has less energy then gasoline so I would infer from that it would be more likely to detonate or pre ignite. Apperently this isn't the case as I've seen threads about high horsepower engines running on E 85 or having an E85 EFI tune. I was curious as to how this was being done.
I consider E-85 as at least 105 octane. Probably equal to 110 when you take into consideration the cooling effect of the ethanol. My green Schiada TT 496 cu. has been on E-85 for about 4 yrs. at 18# of boost and I love it. Am currently changing it from carbs to EFI. I changed my MFI on alcohol PS 13.5/1 engine to carbed on E-85 and love it!!!! Barry also built my 622 cu. in. 10.2/1 TT motor that will see 20-25 #'s of boost on E-85. I have a 427 stroker motor 13/1 with Crower stack inj. on E-85 that is going into my 1965 Campbell woody soon.
this e85 is starting to get my attention and consideration for my next motor. what is the general availability of this fuel at most gas stations? I think this would be a consideration on my final decision.
Thanks
E85 got everyone's attention when it first came out, but not so much anyone.this e85 is starting to get my attention and consideration for my next motor. what is the general availability of this fuel at most gas stations? I think this would be a consideration on my final decision.
Thanks
Bought a boat last month. Running a 498, supposedly 10.1 on E85.. Heres a before pic
View attachment 366460
And heres after 20 minutes at midrange 3000-3500 rpm on 3 when the guys who tuned it say it was 'super rich' and 'impossible' to hurt. I think ill be going back to gas expensive lesson
View attachment 366461
Looking at those domes, assuming 4.25 stroke combination, I #1 really have to question the reality of 10-1 compression, and #2 question the wisdom of running that fuel on a high compression blown engine. When you said "3", were you meaning 3 lbs of boost? How much ignition timing?
I can't remember what my motor guy said he measured it out to be. The guy I bought it from said 498 but my guy said 500".. Its a tall deck if that helps? I'll find out. I question everything only because a lot of things were different than I was originally told. I was told carrillo rods, they're scat, i was told hydraulic roller, its solid roller, I was told it was set up super rich, but obviously its lean. They were saying it was 6 - 8 lbs of boost, top pulley is a 50 bottom is a 46 if I remember right. And I don't know what timing they ran. I obviously trusted the guys that sold it and bought a broken motor. Expensive lesson, but yeah, my guy is saying if I want to run the blower it should be down around 8-1 compression.
All 8 pistons were rattled from the detonation and broke the top of the piston at the 1-2 o'clock position. I guess thats common in that condition because thats where the heat is? All the parts are out getting checked now to see what i can re-use. The seller is still answering his phone and says he may or may not help me out depending on how much it is. But he still thinks I heated the motor up and caused the damage. Not the first time Ive heard this story, just didn't think it would happen to me. Just threw it in this post because I've heard E85 can be tricky to set up. These guys seemed super knowledgable and trustworthy but? it happens
so what happened? it looks like something broke and went threw the motor:yikes:thumbsdown