E85 cobra conversion

CarEnthusiast05

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I have an 03 cobra with 60lb injectors and KB BAP with a stage 4 steige ported blower. It made 480rwhp and 480rwhp on a pretty conservative 12:1 AFR throughout the power band. I am wanting to know the cheapest way to go e85 and what power numbers I can expect? Will the fuel lines rot or will I have no issues thanks?!
 

03cobra#2

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I have an 03 cobra with 60lb injectors and KB BAP with a stage 4 steige ported blower. It made 480rwhp and 480rwhp on a pretty conservative 12:1 AFR throughout the power band. I am wanting to know the cheapest way to go e85 and what power numbers I can expect? Will the fuel lines rot or will I have no issues thanks?!
If it was me I would ditch the bap, convert to a return system with new lines, fuel hat, pumps, rails, larger injectors, and a new tune.
 

03cobra#2

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return style fuel system? why would he need that if he is nowhere near 1000hp
Not saying it's NEEDED but not a bad idea. I see so many problems pop up in the forums and Facebook about fuel system related problems. The fuel system in these cars are getting old. Converting to a return system is not too big of a task, sets you up for future mods, and is prone to less problems.
 

Bdubbs

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return style fuel system? why would he need that if he is nowhere near 1000hp
99% of the people running a return fuel isn't making 1000hp. Most people do it because it's fairly easy to do and provides good results.

I did it years ago when I was making 580 rwhp.

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thatdude305

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99% of the people running a return fuel isn't making 1000hp. Most people do it because it's fairly easy to do and provides good results.

I did it years ago when I was making 580 rwhp.

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yeah but isnt it more expensive. It's not something you really need to do, seems like you would just do it to say you've done it
 

03cobra#2

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yeah but isnt it more expensive. It's not something you really need to do, seems like you would just do it to say you've done it
Sure with normal fuel. When your talking about E85 you will take the stock fuel system right to the edge. You need large volume from the back of the car to the front. Plus I'm not sure if the stock pumps are even E85 compatible. So if your gonna drop the tank mine as well do new lines and convert it over. Especially for E85. E85 is awesome stuff but that fuel system really needs to be done to run it.
 
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Bdubbs

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yeah but isnt it more expensive. It's not something you really need to do, seems like you would just do it to say you've done it
Maybe initially. The returnless system works and some are in the 700 rwhp range. But its also more complex and more things that can go wrong.

Are you familiar with the famous hesitation between shifts? Basically feels like the car cuts out. My car had it and some tuners can tune it out. But it was completely gone when I installed a return fuel system. I had two tuners with this setup.

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01yellercobra

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yeah but isnt it more expensive. It's not something you really need to do, seems like you would just do it to say you've done it
By the time you add up decent pumps, a good hat, extra FPDM or upgraded FPDM, wiring, bigger lines, etc, you're pretty close to a return system.
 

choate

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yeah but isnt it more expensive. It's not something you really need to do, seems like you would just do it to say you've done it

Wait until you have no fuel pressure or the BAP has an issue. Then you’ll realize having a high quality fuel system is a lot more than just saying you’ve done it. I went through all of this and one thing you learn w that experience real quick is the fuel system is one of the most if not the most of critical components on the car. You could get by with your set up but if you have one problem it could be an engine rebuild instead of having a bullet proof fuel system. And then you could say you’ve done it


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thatdude305

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Wait until you have no fuel pressure or the BAP has an issue. Then you’ll realize having a high quality fuel system is a lot more than just saying you’ve done it. I went through all of this and one thing you learn w that experience real quick is the fuel system is one of the most if not the most of critical components on the car. You could get by with your set up but if you have one problem it could be an engine rebuild instead of having a bullet proof fuel system. And then you could say you’ve done it


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What components would you buy then besides fuel pumps and a boost a pump?
 

choate

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What components would you buy then besides fuel pumps and a boost a pump?

A fore fuel L1E return style fuel system. The kit will have everything you need in it. Not cheap but it’s definitely worth it. Lethal performance also has a “budget” return style system but I have no experience with that or know anybody else that does. Look around here and you should be able to find a person here who is a vendor and may be able to get it less than retail cost


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thatdude305

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A fore fuel L1E return style fuel system. The kit will have everything you need in it. Not cheap but it’s definitely worth it. Lethal performance also has a “budget” return style system but I have no experience with that or know anybody else that does. Look around here and you should be able to find a person here who is a vendor and may be able to get it less than retail cost


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I se it. about $1200 or the lethal one is $999
 

SecondhandSnake

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By the time you add up decent pumps, a good hat, extra FPDM or upgraded FPDM, wiring, bigger lines, etc, you're pretty close to a return system.

You can run some good sized pumps in a stock hat. You could even easily modify the stock hat to run a bigger line- I did for my return setup. The dual FPDM setup was cheap and a breeze to make.

For that power level I would just go with bigger pumps, a dual FPDM and a wiring upgrade. All of those are pretty cheap and easy. Putting in a return system was a pain in the ass and much more expensive when you add it all up.
 

01yellercobra

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You can run some good sized pumps in a stock hat. You could even easily modify the stock hat to run a bigger line- I did for my return setup. The dual FPDM setup was cheap and a breeze to make.

For that power level I would just go with bigger pumps, a dual FPDM and a wiring upgrade. All of those are pretty cheap and easy. Putting in a return system was a pain in the ass and much more expensive when you add it all up.

I did all that too. Had the home made harness for the dual FPDM as well. I played the catch up game in my 01 Cobra with big motor and big blower. Would've been better to go return back then. Mainly why I went return now. Spend the money once and I'm good for the future.

Running a return system isn't any more of a pain in the ass then most any other mod we do. My biggest issue is that I have jacking rails so I couldn't run the lines down the sides like I originally wanted.
 

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