Question for Steve Wiener regarding ethanol
#1
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Question for Steve Wiener regarding ethanol
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.
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.
#2
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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.
#3
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.
#4
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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.
#5
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http://www.racegas.com/fuelfinder
#6
RL Technical Advisor
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,
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,
#7
Burning Brakes
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!
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#8
RL Technical Advisor
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.
#11
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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.
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.
#12
FYI
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.
#13
RL Technical Advisor
#15
RL Technical Advisor