LNF: Pros and Cons of running E85
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From: Platteville, WI
LNF: Pros and Cons of running E85
I'm trying to decide whether or not I want to make the jump and tune for E85 or E47 (im still on stock tune now).
Are there any ill effects to running E in our cars fuel system wise with the direct injection or just anything in general we have to watch out for when running E?
I see a lot of members running E47 as well, just curious as to what the reasoning behind doing a E47 mix over an E85 mix would be. MPG? fuel system limitations? I'm just curious and trying to get a decent view on what I want to do...
Most of the stations I find only have up to 91 octane around here so to tune to that kinda sucks power-wise. The only obvious con I know of running E is that MPG drops about 30%, but other than that it seems like free crack if you can find it right?
Are there any ill effects to running E in our cars fuel system wise with the direct injection or just anything in general we have to watch out for when running E?
I see a lot of members running E47 as well, just curious as to what the reasoning behind doing a E47 mix over an E85 mix would be. MPG? fuel system limitations? I'm just curious and trying to get a decent view on what I want to do...
Most of the stations I find only have up to 91 octane around here so to tune to that kinda sucks power-wise. The only obvious con I know of running E is that MPG drops about 30%, but other than that it seems like free crack if you can find it right?
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From: Tejas
Pros: Mo' powa!
Cons: Uses more fuel, lower MPG, emissions justification is questionable, price fixed to gasoline, sometimes hard to find E85 stations, uses more energy to make it than what is gotten from it.
In our case, the main cons are getting the amount of fuel in the cylinder in the small window of time needed, lower MPG, and needing to change out injector seals after a while, for pre-2010 Cobalts, to the Ethanol resistant black ones.
Although not a con in our case, some vehicles (boats, planes, appliances, older cars) can't run it. It eats away the fiberglass of boat fuel tanks and the fuel systems of aircraft. Only non-Ethanol (not even 10%) can be used and is becoming harder to find.
*Fun fact: They denature it with the 15% gasoline so people won't drink it like alcohol.
Cons: Uses more fuel, lower MPG, emissions justification is questionable, price fixed to gasoline, sometimes hard to find E85 stations, uses more energy to make it than what is gotten from it.
In our case, the main cons are getting the amount of fuel in the cylinder in the small window of time needed, lower MPG, and needing to change out injector seals after a while, for pre-2010 Cobalts, to the Ethanol resistant black ones.
Although not a con in our case, some vehicles (boats, planes, appliances, older cars) can't run it. It eats away the fiberglass of boat fuel tanks and the fuel systems of aircraft. Only non-Ethanol (not even 10%) can be used and is becoming harder to find.
*Fun fact: They denature it with the 15% gasoline so people won't drink it like alcohol.
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From: Platteville, WI
so if I get this right the only flaws the LNF running E has in our specific case is the injector seals tend to go out on 2008's & 2009's? What is the fix to this, or what was changed in the 2010's that made them not have this issue?
it does? I have never heard of this before...I was going to get a E47 tune by Term after I get a downpipe too. subd
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
yes the ethanol will eat away at the 08,09 injector seals they are the white ones. the new black injector seals are part number 12633374 34.37 at crate engine depot but you need the specialty tool to install them corectly.
damnit...I should of bought the injector from Mongorat then.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
to replace the seals actually isnt that hard. release the fuel pressure pop the intake manifold d/c the fuel line to the fuel rail unplug one sensor on the passenger side of the fuel rail unbolt the 4 bolts on the fuel rail and pull it out
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
make sure when you take the im off that you order and new one the gaskets are crush gaskets and non reusable. instead of ordering new stock gaskets i ordered a performance autowerks phenolic spacer it works really well
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From: Platteville, WI
I have been considering E47 as well. I'm guessing the answer is "it depends" but what kind of time frame have people seen while running E before the seals go? hundreds of miles? tens of housands of miles?
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From: LaMarque,Tx
best answer for cons and best reason imo,not to run it or use it as a primary tune. i know where i live,there is ONE station within a 30 mile radius that has it. if i chose to go out of town,then i guess i'm screwed and have to settle for less horsepower if i ran "E".
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From: South Charleston, WV
