.:E85 Tuned...!:.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
.:E85 Tuned...!:.
With most bikes running a aftermarket fuel management (Power Commander, TTS, Screamin' Eagle, etc) I was wondering why most haven't taken advantage of the poor mans race gas.
With its 105 octane rating, cooling capabilities, horse power/torque increase, it's a no brainier to not get your bike tuned on it... Granted our injectors may need to be upgraded, possibly a fuel pump too and of course finding a E85 station are the only draw backs I see...
I ask because I have my track car tuned on it making 450HP... A stock car like mine only needs to have the injectors, fuel pump and a tune to see an increase of 60hp+...
So I ask why not...
With its 105 octane rating, cooling capabilities, horse power/torque increase, it's a no brainier to not get your bike tuned on it... Granted our injectors may need to be upgraded, possibly a fuel pump too and of course finding a E85 station are the only draw backs I see...
I ask because I have my track car tuned on it making 450HP... A stock car like mine only needs to have the injectors, fuel pump and a tune to see an increase of 60hp+...
So I ask why not...
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 867
Likes: 160
From: Vermont
perhaps because of the negatives and additional maintenance required to run any alcohol based fuel. As it is 10% ethanol blends are causing all kinds of fuel system problems in cages these days. Add to that the significantly lower miles per tankful you will experience running E85 and it just doesnt make sense for a street driven scoot. My guess would be that you will decrease your miles per gallon by at least 25% running E85.
You would also need to do more mods than just a fuel map, injectors, and fuel pump to take advantage of the e85. Id think youd want to bump up compression a couple of points and install a new cam to take advantage of the higher compression ratio. This would of course make it necessary for compression release and a killer starter just to light the fuse.
You would also need to do more mods than just a fuel map, injectors, and fuel pump to take advantage of the e85. Id think youd want to bump up compression a couple of points and install a new cam to take advantage of the higher compression ratio. This would of course make it necessary for compression release and a killer starter just to light the fuse.
Last edited by turbotom1052; Dec 22, 2012 at 07:15 PM. Reason: addition
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Yes fuel consumption will increase but the cooling and HP increase can outweigh a lot of factors. And yes, you have to make sure anything rubber is methanol/alcohol friendly... The Pros outweigh the Cons in my opinion. Of course it is an opinion...
There isn't any "extra" maintenance needed to run. For instance, my car was never intended to run E85, but with just a few upgrades and a tune it can. No other maintenance is needed, other than to keep fuel in the car...
There isn't any "extra" maintenance needed to run. For instance, my car was never intended to run E85, but with just a few upgrades and a tune it can. No other maintenance is needed, other than to keep fuel in the car...
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 867
Likes: 160
From: Vermont
there is more energy in a gallon of gasoline than in a gallon of e85. In order to achieve any significant power gains from running e85 you will need to bump up your compression, and run a cam to go along with the compression increase. You might be able to gain a minimal amount of power from changes to the ignition tables, and yes you will run much cooler and cleaner but without changing internals there wont be much power to be gained.
Same applies to running race gas or aviation fuel. Without the compression increase to take advantage of the race fuels higher octane rating and resistance to detonation the only horsepower left available would be the gains to be made from the changes to the ignition tables. I just dont see it freeing up enough horsepower to make it worth the decrease in fuel mileage and the hassles of finding the stuff when you need it.
Im guessing that your purpose built race only car has a compression ratio to take advantage of the e85 your running and if it doesn't then swap out some higher compression pistons or a set of heads with a smaller combustion chamber and your car will really come alive.
Same applies to running race gas or aviation fuel. Without the compression increase to take advantage of the race fuels higher octane rating and resistance to detonation the only horsepower left available would be the gains to be made from the changes to the ignition tables. I just dont see it freeing up enough horsepower to make it worth the decrease in fuel mileage and the hassles of finding the stuff when you need it.
Im guessing that your purpose built race only car has a compression ratio to take advantage of the e85 your running and if it doesn't then swap out some higher compression pistons or a set of heads with a smaller combustion chamber and your car will really come alive.
Last edited by turbotom1052; Dec 23, 2012 at 04:32 AM.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
Why don't you put together an upgrade kit and patent it? If it is that easy to do it could make you a million in no time? I'd support it through an investment option? lol
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Not worth the effort and beyond the scope of most back yard mechanics. I personally don't mind a bump in HP but at what cost to my pocket and how much increased maintenance. I prefer to ride more and wrench less at this point of my life.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 23
From: Phoenix, AZ/Canton, OH
Without a built motor it's not worth it. And besides, E85 may be plentiful in your Grenol state. But in most other states one has dificult time finding it, and good luck doing road trips being able to get it when needed.
