Finding E85 . . . Use E51-E83?

IA Shelby

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there are several vendors that make a flex fuel sensor kit. it will measure the amount of ethanol and adjust the tune. this does require a good kit and a good tuner. I have it on my GTR and it works flawlessly. I can toggle a switch on my car and see the exact amount of E in the car. I do run a tank of 93 through it every2-3 tanks to help keep the fuel pumps clean so it is required to have the fuel sensor kit. Visconti and Got Boost make good kits for the GTR. Assume they would work on other cars as well. My tuner told me that anything above 20% ethanol will start to give you an advantage over pump gas assuming the tune adjust for the increased content.
 

BlckBox04

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Do like I do and have a Flex fuel sensor installed that changes the tune depending on what fuel you see.

this. I have AEM wideband fail safe gauge. It let's you know the percent of e85.
 

stkjock

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the % of E it's seasonal depending on region

summer/spring&fall/winter blend 1/2/3

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https://afdc.energy.gov/files/u/publication/ethanol_handbook.pdf
 

GodStang

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Does he have a MS3 that he can do that with? If not...step 1 would be convert to a MS3.
Yes, I got that.



Can you give me a link or make/model of the sensor you used?

As BigPoppa said you would have to change your stock computer out for an MS3. Then I run the stock sensor from a chevy Malibu. The other option is to add the sensor that reports back to a gauge and just lets you monitor it but does not change tune.
 

Dusten

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So, I began exploring the idea of converting my boosted 4.6 to E85. As a newbie, I wanted to educate myself.

In my area, only Sheetz sells the higher ethanol content stuff. Problem is, the pumps only say it can be 51-83% ethanol content. Apparently, that is consistent with labeling requirements effective July 2016, which allows the retailer to use +/- 10% labels (e.g. E50 can be 45-55%), OR to use the broad 51-83% label. See here:

What You Need to Know about the Federal Trade Commission’s Final Rule Regarding Labeling of Ethanol Blends Beyond 10% | Renewable Fuels Association

Seems like most will CYA and use the 51-83 label. I know there are testing kits. Problem is, if you're tuned for E85, and the only station around me tests in at 55% on any given day, how would I deal? Seems like I'd have to have a tune ready for 55, 65, 75, and 85%. Or, pay the crazy price for E85r, which is supposed to guarantee the ethanol content.

Am I missing something?
My tuner had me test the content several times and we tuned accordingly. I frequently test when filling up
 

cidsamuth

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Thanks.

Unbeknownst to me when I started the thread, I fellow SVT member (Rotor_Powrd) is in my area and uses the Sheetz ethanol blend that I mentioned is labeled E51-83. He says it always tests close to E85, so that's really helpful and encouraging.

I think my solution will be to test to confirm, as recommended, and then tune for it. Also, I'll install an ethanol content gauge. I did some more digging, and Aeroforce gauges sell a sensor for it, so I will probably end up using one of the analog inputs on my current Aeroforce gauge for that function. As most of you apparently do, I'll make sure a couple extra tunes are on hand in case I get low content or have to go with straight 93.
 

JetmechF16

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My car is tuned with a Moates 8-bank chip that my tuner set up with E15 - E85 tunes, I have it currently on E75 since that is what the last tank tested at.
 

biminiLX

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Ethanol tends to be cheaper for the stations, so our area (Ohio/Michigan border) tends to run high on E (summer blend usually E85-89) and stay high thru late Oct/Nov. until it goes to E70.
We do test, but here, once they switch to high test, it tends to stay.
I do plan on adding a gauge just to have one, but I don’t stress it on the street.
My rationale is that the concern is detonation, and even if it’s lower E, it still maintains detonation resistance down to E50 range.
I would never do a Dyno or track session on untested pump E85 (I use VP X85 for running it hard), so definitely test for those conditions. For normal street fun, don’t over think it, even E50 is WAY better than pump 91-93.
-J
 

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