I see all the talk about running various forms of E on here, and the benefits alcohol brings. I have seen people trying to tune for 91 octane, as some aren't lucky enough like me to have 93 at most gas stations. I haven't seen anything ( but i haven't searched a ton) for race gas. Has anyone tuned for it, and what gains were found. Its expensive, but for a " drag race tune" only used sparingly, im interested in what others have found. Sunoco in my town sells most everything including 110 octane ( which has lead). Any comments or concerns?

 

Sub'd

 

100 unleaded octane is what you're looking for.

 

tune for it. you'll love it.

the 110 you'll want to run a catless downpipe. and you'll see your o2 sensor go out sooner, but it will hardly be noticeable if you hardly run the gas. 100 though will be nicer if you want to pay for it over 93, you can run it all you want because it's not a leaded gas.

 

How much is 100 or 110 fuel per gallon? E85 by my home is 2.99 right now.

 

what stations carry 100/110? lol All we have down here is valero/shell/aziz/heb/walmart and none of those have 100/110. I can't complain on the e85 though lol. Last time I filled I did at 2.70 a gallon. Imma fill up tomorrow at 2.60some I think lol

 

nice, our gas tax here is obviously a good bit higher. Our E has been around 2.79-3.29 this year.

 

yeah it moves around and some.

do you have race gas around you? and if so what stations carry it?

Only place that carries e85 here is HEB which is a texas only store and I got lucky with it lol.

 

i buy my gas at the track. but after i move theres a place right near where i'll be that i can get e98 so i'll a mix of that and c16 for the race tune.

 

HEB in Abilene didnt have it, nothing in Abilene at all... I moved to LR and E is everywhere. No race gas but dont care, I spent a lot of money on a dyno and a tune and I can get E everywhere so never cared. WOT is fun cause I know my E isnt going to detonate, this stuff is amazing. Might as well be race gas. I think its equivalent to 113 octane according to Texas State Energy Conservation Office.

I have read that but not sure if true that, "alcohol fuels reach their peak torque a bit more quickly than gasoline does, so any vehicle that receives a very basic conversion to be able to run on E85 will be very slightly faster on E85." Found this on an E website. Could explain my high tq outcome on the dyno as well as brake boosting a bit.

Also when you are at idle the car smells very different without a catalytic and running E. Smells like burning grass to me.

 

I was reading a thread on a race forum just now of guys running 15:1 compression with specially setup carbs on big block engines making the same power as Q16 gas.

 

yeah, i figured i would stay away from leaded, due to concerns with o2 sensors. An experienced race shop owner i was talking to over the weekend was telling me that E is still horribly inconsistent, as he buys it by the 55 gal drum, and tests everyone, for his racing customers. ( because he's tuning for it) He said it had gotten better, but he still sees "octane" anywhere from 105 down to 87. So if your tune and timing is based on 100, and you fill up with a batch of 89, you could have results you don't want.
103 unleaded is probably something i will try, but its like $9 a gallon. 110 IS $11, but both are certified. Without a way to test E85, i will stay away from an all out tune till they get better at predicting what octane it has. EXsoccer i think you have the right idea about running a mix. At least that way if you get a lower E, you still have the safety of the race gas protecting from detonation.

 

you can get test tubes to test e85 with water for 10 bucks. Takes only a second at the pump then fill your car. YOu know your ethanol content immediately.

 

Love me the smell of e85 in the morning <3 lmao but really it seriously smells good to me lol

 

I run 100, costs about $9 per gallon. Car loves it, so it is worth the extra cost. I have a catless downpipe, have had to replace the rear O2 once. I noticed a significant difference once it was tuned. If/when I have to go back to a 91 tune it's going to be difficult lol.

 

Why a mix? Why not just e98?

 

I couldnt pay my mortgage if i paid $9/gallon for gas. Lol

 

Rissa, how much did you pick up by going to it? Is the 100 your using leaded?

 

I use unleaded 100, and I actually use abuot 50/50, half 100, half 91 so it makes it a tad cheaper. It makes just as much power if not more than cars tuned for E-85. I did it mainly for the knock resistance, as my car doesn't really see any at wide open throttle ever since being tuned for higher octane. That white car though uses C-16...lol.

 

I would like to see someone try and fill a test tube with a gas pump

 

I figured someone would mention that. I have a new clean 2.5 gallon can in the trunk. Then use a dropper. Takes 5 seconds of thought to figure a way to make it work.

 

you carry a can in your trunk don't get caught

 

I tons of people who carry E-85 in their trunk with them at all times lol. **** burns so quick.

 

Thanks for the info Rissa

 

hmmm not thaaat quick lol. I only saw a slight difference when I switched from 93 to e85. Took a trip to the zoo and then beach and ended up giving me like 220 or a bit more using about 11 gallons or whatever time it reaches the reserve/E.

is it illegal to carry extra fuel with you or something? lol. I'll prolly take a 5 gallon jug with me when I go to the track again