Just wondering who among you is running E85 as primary fuel but lives in a place where it is available, but not widespread.

Seems like the midwest has a great supply, but here in CA the stations are further away/apart. I have a handful of stations within somewhat reasonable once-every-2 or 3-weeks fillup distance so it's there, but not convenient like the Arco a block from my house.

Have you ever found yourself **** out of luck with e85? Able to limp home or to the next station on premium pump? Just gathering experience.

 

We have 7 stations in the ATL. Several times I have had to switch, not a big deal, just flip a switch on the dash.

 

Only problem with switching is that you need to pretty much empty the tank first.

 

do you have a separate power tune for pump gas, or limp mode?

ideally yes, but if you do just have a limp-tune (maybe you can tie it to an EBC to prohibit boost, period), and take it easy, the car should be able to run just fine on just about anything (when not in boost)...will be very low on power and probably get **** mileage, but it will get there..

8:1 cr or thereabouts is a low-octane dream lol

 

On the M-tune there's a switch to change from petrol to ethanol

 

Finding a gas station for pump fuel is pretty easy, generally not an issue getting the tank near empty. I have lots of tunes. One for high output pump and another for economy pump.

 

What about flexfuel sensor, how does that work? If flexfuel is used with standalone that supports it, does that mean it changes the tune automatically for whatever % of ethanol is in the tank?

 

if the EMS is tuned with a flexfuel sensor then yes, you can just full up with e85 then if you have to full with petrol you can as the sensor will read the % of ethanol and make changes to fuel and timing mapping. I dont know how exactly its tuned. i assume a petrol 98ron tune then a e85 tune and then the flex fuel sensor adjusts between the 2 with a %

 

That sounds nice.. I hope we get e85 some time soon too.

 

I have one near the house and another about halfway on my 20 mile commute. I've never had to go back to regular gas since making the switch, but have to think ahead if I'm going somewhere outside my normal range.

Does everyone else notice a different smell when running E85?

 

There is very little E85 in the US that is truly E85. E85 is the maximum it will be. Usually it is somewhere between 55% and 65% alcohol. You really need to have the flex system installed unless you are buying and mixing the fuel yourself.

I looked at converting my track car over the summer but opted not to after discovering a lot of the hidden issues.

 

I would disagree about the Flex System. We have been doing this for years!

 

i do not disagree for a fuel source you have faith in a constant fuel mixture. He is talking about a street car with various fuel sources. I spoke with a couple tuners who strongly recommended the flex fuel if I was not mixing the fuel myself.

 

You just have to plan ahead a little and then it is manageable.

I live about 70 miles from the Glen so I stay off boost on the way there, drive it hard on the track and then off boost all the way home.

 

Summer blend here is 85% and different smell indeed