E85 Conversion Kit

[410225]

http://www.change2e85.com/servlet/StoreFront

What do you guys think of this product? Has anyone experienced with these types of conversion?

[ROUSHDEMON]

I've heard is junk.....

[410225]

Originally Posted by ROUSHDEMON

I've heard is junk.....

Are you saying this brand is junk or overall E85 conversion kits are junk?

[ROUSHDEMON]

I'm not very familiar with them so dont quote me on it but I've seen a post before on this and if i'm not mistaken its not worth going with an E85 Conversion kit... but I might be mistaken.

[jmanley]

So, E85 as a fuel, if you understand what it offers, is a wonderful thing. There are benefits and tradeoffs:

Benefits:
1. More hp/torque
2. Cooler running
3. Better for the environment ("green")
4. Typically cheaper than most fuels

Tradeoffs:
1. You burn more of it - close to the same amt at idle, up to 33% more at WOT than gas
2. You need specific changes to your computer to get the most out of it - specifically you'll need to change your fuel curves and most people don't have the know-how to do it
3. You can't get E85 everywhere. In my Mustang, I have to plan trip segments *VERY* carefully, and forget cross-country driving, unless I pull a tanker w/my own fuel.
4. E85 becomes E70 in the winter, which means yet another tune

Overall, I'm REALLY happy running it in my Mustang - street/strip that doesn't get driven more than 100 miles from my house. I'd have a tough time considering it in a H2 and the concerns if I could find E85 fuel when driving cross country.

If you think some "kit" will magically cure all the above, it'd likely be more than just replacing the engine with a flex-fuel one that also includes the gas/E85 sensor (finds the % of each fuel) and then adjusts the fuel map as a result.

YMMV.
Jay

[410225]

Originally Posted by jmanley

So, E85 as a fuel, if you understand what it offers, is a wonderful thing. There are benefits and tradeoffs:

Benefits:
1. More hp/torque
2. Cooler running
3. Better for the environment ("green")
4. Typically cheaper than most fuels

Tradeoffs:
1. You burn more of it - close to the same amt at idle, up to 33% more at WOT than gas
2. You need specific changes to your computer to get the most out of it - specifically you'll need to change your fuel curves and most people don't have the know-how to do it
3. You can't get E85 everywhere. In my Mustang, I have to plan trip segments *VERY* carefully, and forget cross-country driving, unless I pull a tanker w/my own fuel.
4. E85 becomes E70 in the winter, which means yet another tune

Overall, I'm REALLY happy running it in my Mustang - street/strip that doesn't get driven more than 100 miles from my house. I'd have a tough time considering it in a H2 and the concerns if I could find E85 fuel when driving cross country.

If you think some "kit" will magically cure all the above, it'd likely be more than just replacing the engine with a flex-fuel one that also includes the gas/E85 sensor (finds the % of each fuel) and then adjusts the fuel map as a result.

YMMV.
Jay

Thanks for the great info. From my understanding on these kits are that the ECM is provided to adjust what is needed to run E85, which does not mean that vehicle converted needs to run 100% E85. I believe it is a Bi-Fuel mod that you can run reg gas when needed.
My concern is longevity of other components since the E85 contains more alcohol, hoses and any other rubber parts detereate faster than reg gas. Is this also true for other E85 vehicles?
I guess I need to do some calculation before buying this kit since it burns more, more frequent fill up is expected..

[ROUSHDEMON]

Originally Posted by jmanley

, I'm REALLY happy running it in my Mustang -

what kind of Mustang do you have?

[jmanley]

Answers to the questions on running E85:

Car - 1972 Mustang Mach 1, 351c (cleveland) stroked to 408 with alloy heads and roller cam, and now fuel injected. 500hp rear wheels, 490 ft lbs torque peak. Best 11.64 @ 115.5 mph in the 1/4 mile.

Hoses, etc. - It is NOT true that E85 is "harder" on hoses than gas, or if it is, its such a slight amount that I have yet to notice it. What it will do - clean out your gas tank and/or fuel lines. I noticed that on the first tank or two it really cleared out that gas varnish that gets deposited everywhere. It wasn't until my 2nd tank that it ran well, and I did, because it was easy, remove my fuel filter and clean it (reusable filter) between tank 1 and tank 2. Really wasn't very dirty. It WILL clean your plugs, your exhaust, etc. because it runs THAT clean!

Jay

[Xotik H3]

It is harder on hoses and all plastic pieces in the fuel system. It causes plastic to expand, not overnight but slowly... Fuel injectors, hoses, fuel pump housing. It may never bother it enought to make a difference but the injectors will go much faster, and the fuel pump will be next.

Flex fuel vehicles have a COMLETELY different fuel system. I hope it never becomes an issue for you, I for one, will not try it.

[ROUSHDEMON]

Originally Posted by jmanley

Answers to the questions on running E85:

Car - 1972 Mustang Mach 1, 351c (cleveland) stroked to 408 with alloy heads and roller cam, and now fuel injected. 500hp rear wheels, 490 ft lbs torque peak. Best 11.64 @ 115.5 mph in the 1/4 mile.

Sounds like a badass Mustang!

[jmanley]

You can see some pix at:
http://myweb.cableone.net/jmanley/mustang.htm