Mike in Chi

Hi Steve

In PCA's most recent e-mail newsletter, they had a link to this article regarding 15% ethanol in gasoline and it's long-term impact on our cars' fuel systems.

http://theporscheguys.com/2012/04/20...anol-gasoline/

What's your take on all this? Are there any precautions we need to take even if we have 10% ethanol? Finally do you recommend additives to counter the effect of ethanol?

thanks much in advance.

No HTwo O

http://pure-gas.org/

I recently purchase an Ethanol Test Kit. Most of the gas I've seen is only 5% alcohol right now. Don't know why. All 93 octane. Pumps usually say "10% Maximum". My guess is that ethanol costs more now than the fuel, so they are only blending in 1/2 the maximum, to meet octane and regulatory requirements.

77'3.6vram

Mike,I mix Sunoco 260 GTX Plus (98),one to one,with 93 pump gas. The 98 version of GTX Plus is the only race gas that Sunoco sells that contains absolutely no Ethanol. I was told that there is a 2 to 3% margin of error at the pump. You can actually wind up with as much as 18% Ethanol. Steve actually programed my 97' ECU for the blend of gas I use.

Mike in Chi

Thanks vram. A good solution. Unfortunately, I'm in Wyoming with no Sunoco stations, and no convenient source for race gas. Right now all the stations are displaying up to 10% ethanol stickers on the pumps. We never had them til this winter.

il pirata

Go here and zoom in on the map. I think there are three location in Wyoming...not sure which products but most likely 260 GT (100 Octane). Works great at 6000 ft in the summer.

http://www.racegas.com/fuelfinder

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi Mike,

Ethanol at 15% isn't good for our cars: 10% is about the limit before serious degradation of all the elastomers in the fuel delivery system occurs.

I'm just as concerned about this as you are since I live in a "green" state where such environmental measures are deemed good for everyone.

The only things one can do besides seeking fuels without ethanol is the regular use of Marine Stabil fuel treatment and keeping the tank full to prevent condensation from forming. Unleaded race gas is sold in various formulations, some of which contain little or no oxygenates.

Hope this helps,

600RR

Steve: The Conoco station on Hiway, downtown Saratoga, sella Sunoco GT 100 Octane unleaded fuel. What mix would be ideal in a NA 993 and a turbo 993? Of course, disregarding cost!

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

If I wanted maximum performance in both cars, I would be mixing the 100 with 91 @ 50/50. For track use, the TT would use 100% 100 octane, especially on a warm day.

600RR

Thx. Anyone know if 100 Octane unleaded burn cleaner than 91? Smog check improved with 100 Octane?

Quadcammer

no

ltc

I too live in a 'Green State' ... all ethanol gas pumps.

Back when my son was racing karts, I was buying 30 gallon drums (55 gallon drums were more difficult for me to move and deal with) of VP Fuels MS93.

This is a 93 octane, unleaded, no ethanol added, race gasoline. It was the spec fuel for Rotax Challenge series races, so I would buy it for all our practice sessions (so I could learn how to tune the carb with it).

IIRC, it was $7/gallon and I would simply call the local distributor who would order it for me and hold it until I picked it up.

77'3.6vram

Sunoco 100 octane unleaded pump gas contains 13% ethanol. Only the 98 has 0% ethanol. The 98 can only be purchased by the drum.They sell 5 gallon and 50 gallon drums.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

No changes on the 5-gas.

Cactus

How bout just using Lucas Ethanol Treatment?

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

I'm no fan of Lucas products so I won't use them. I've had excellent luck with Stabil so thats what I've used for the past 20 years.