looking for a decent reason to go with e85
Anyone have experience with switching to e85 , mine is or at least should ok with pump gas. 10.5 to 1 with iron heads (408)
Thanks guys
I like it for my car. Converting it is not too bad, depending on what you have to begin with.
You need a fuel pump that can handle ~30% more fuel (I used a Holley black pump)
Get rid of any paper fuel filter (I switched to a 40 micron steel mesh)
Possibly larger fuel line depending on your setup (mine is 1/2 inch from cell to carb)
Convert the carb or buy an e85 carb (I got a kit from Rob Mix (ebay) and converted it myself).
That is all you "need", but I also would suggest getting a wideband and installing it in the exhaust to help you tune it (I got one through Summit for ~ $150 for the gauge and O2 sensor). e85 burns so clean that it is very difficult to read the plugs.
Reasons for doing it.
My car runs much cooler, so it is easier to hot lap at the track.
Car is more consistent at the track.
If I recall correctly, it was a little more than 2 tenths quicker when I switched.
Much cheaper than race gas.
Reasons for not:
Harder to cold start if the temp is <45°F (I don't care because my car only goes out on nice days).
Takes a little more maintenance (draining the fuel system in the winter for example).
If you don't drive the car at least once a month it may get fussy (mine likes to have the little bullet shaped thingy under the squirters get stuck if it sits too long, but no biggie).
If you drive far away from home it might be harder to find e85...but around my house it is plentiful.
