Racers,

for those of you racing with E85, please tell me what you think of doing so. Also, if you have run with both E85 and Methanol, how do they differ? What are the pros and cons of each.

The E85R does intrigue me from a possible performance standpoint, cost comparison to race gas and the fact it runs much cooler. As much as 8 months of Texas heat from spring to fall could definitely benefit a serious bracket racer. I too would like to learn more about this fuel. LC

I can not find any advantage with E85 over Methanol

E85 can be purchased usually 24/7 by the gallon instead of buying it in 55gal drums and having to handle and store them.

E85 is the cheapest of the three fuels too use it is more consistent than Gas but not as consistent as Methanol. I use a VW scirroco radiator to cool my iron headed sbc even in 100 degree temps. E85 doesn't milk the oil like methanol starts easier than methanol and warms the motor faster than methanol. Ive been running it for ten years. You will need a tester.

What are any downsides to E85? I have heard conflicting recommendations on if a fuel pump upgrade is needed over gas. I run gas but have considered E85 as an option. What jetting adjustments over gas are standard thumb in the air estimates? It is definitely a more economical approach.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Woodfin:
Racers,

for those of you racing with E85, please tell me what you think of doing so. Also, if you have run with both E85 and Methanol, how do they differ? What are the pros and cons of each.

Here's my experience...

Methanol ran cooler/took longer to get heat in the engine, was faster by about .1-.15 in the 1/8th, was readily available at most tracks, but did put moisture in the oil. This was with a Ken Jones carb

Ethanol used less fuel compared to methanol, slower than methanol but was just as consistent, not available at most tracks, no moisture in the oil. I started with a Mark Sullens conversion in 2009, bought a new Horsepower Innovations in 2010, and just had Mark Whitener set up another E85 carb with annular boosters.

The main problem with ethanol is making sure it can be purchased locally. Also if you are attending races out of town, make sure you bring enough fuel with you. If your compression is greater than around 12.5-13:1 I would talk to an E85 carb builder before making the switch to ethanol. I'm around 12:1 and have ran anywhere between E70-E87 with no problems.

The main advantage for me was fuel cost. I have made 24 passes in one day and used about 13 gallons of fuel and that was including initial warm up. I purchased that fuel at $1.69 a gallon...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: the rain maker,

I think E-85 is about 85% as good as alcohol, anything E-85 will do alcohol will do better IMHO.

I've ran both with MFI.
E85 smells like dirty socks! Hated the smell!
Around me there was only one place to get E85 and sometimes it would be low as 55% and it was a 20 min drive each way. It turned in to a pain in the a$$.

Methanol was a lot easier for me. 99% every time and can get at the track or from another racer.
Doesn't really matter much for me now since my local track is going to be an auto auction.

Best of luck

True, I do not like the smell of E-85 at all.

We ran E85 for a couple of years then ran into a supply issue in Vegas. So we went to the VP C85 and I would NEVER go back to pump E85 after using the VP stuff.

E85 = welfare fuel

Larry I run all SBC 406 motors. I like e85 over gas due to the fact my blocks are poured and it helps a lot over the 112 I was formerly running. Never an issue with heat now. It has a lot more torque than the 112 with the same timing. It did not pick my Et up any actually I lost some went from high 5.80s at 115 to low to mid 5.90 @ 114. How ever the ETS are just as consistent easy to dial and varies little from temp changes. It is sold within minutes from me. Only downside I have found so far is when it gets below 55 you have to start on gas to prevent any backfires. As far as comparing it to methanol I cant advise as I have never run it. I will say lots of guys in my area love it when tuned correctly and many of them go rounds on any given day at any track. One guy has been points champion several years running Pro and SP. One thing I would advise , is to have someone that is a proven e85 carb build capable and proven. I had my first e85 carb built and it did not work at all by a noted builder. Had one built locally and it was spot on out of the gate.

Couple of questions. Is there a upper limit on CR for E85 that you wouldn't exceed? Are there any water accumulation issues with it's use?

BG7
I tested all I bought from the same vendor all year and it was always @ 90% instead of 85. I haven't had any issues with water. I race with some guys who buy the Renagade e85 and one of the guys ran out and used the pump e85 and there was no difference per him in ET or otherwise. I would think it would be better formulated but he ran same et. The Renagade brand is close to race gas price. I would recommend if you do decide to run it to not let it sit in your fuel system for a long period of time due to the corrosion factor of the ethanol. I winterize mine buy draining fuel cell and replacing with a couple gallon of gas , or just drain carb until next season. There aren't any VP dealers in my area anymore with anything other than 110 and methanol no e85.

Thank you. The CR I meant compression ratio. I am increasing my compression over the winter by and was wondering what is too much to consider going to E85. I appreciate the feedback on water in the oil issues.

quote:

Originally posted by BG7X77:
Thank you. The CR I meant compression ratio. I am increasing my compression over the winter by and was wondering what is too much to consider going to E85. I appreciate the feedback on water in the oil issues.

Water in the oil or milking the oil is easily remedied by getting motor good and warm at the end of the day. Before I put it in the trailer I lean it out and get water temp up over 210* or so and the oil clears right up.

10 4. Thanks. That is what I understand most issues are people not properly maintaining an alcohol motor and doing what you just described.

quote:

Originally posted by BG7X77:
Thank you. The CR I meant compression ratio. I am increasing my compression over the winter by and was wondering what is too much to consider going to E85. I appreciate the feedback on water in the oil issues.

I ran it with a little over 13:1 with no problems. I did have problems with it gumming up the needle and seat after it sat for 2 weeks. I learned not to let it sit in the carb bowls for more than a week. I changed my starting procedure too. I stopped turning on the fuel pump before cranking the engine.