Internet myths, gotta love 'em.

[Y2Kvert4me]

E-85 - Corvette Forum


I saw this one this morning, and felt bad for all the the OP was getting fed.

I'm not really an E85 advocate, but glad to see tjZ06 let loose on 'em with some facts and experience.

Around here, E85 is quite commonly used as a cheap race gas...usually on FI street cars running boost numbers well into the double digits.

I don't see much benefit to it on a n/a car, unless building something with a sky-high (14:1+) compression ratio, which certainly can be done, but then you're unfortunately limited to that fuel (or expensive race gas) 100% of the time, which is just not practical for a street car. The FI guys can always dial down the boost when high octane stuff is nowhere to be found.

[Sneaks]

I saw the title of that, and couldn't bring myself to look at it. I knew there was going to be way too much idiocy involved in that one.

[Munch]

I couldn't bring myself to read that thread. I did not know E85 was used for race gas, I thought it was just a government scam on gas users to help corn farmers.

[pops98]

I thought the Indy Car Series use E-85 for all their cars.

[Y2Kvert4me]

Originally Posted by Munch

I thought it was just a government scam on gas users to help corn farmers.

Well, as a ploy to reduce our national dependence on oil, it pretty much is.

Even at $1.99/gal though, it isn't a cost-effective alternative for a typical DD car compared to regular 87 or even 91 octane. Sure it's still cheaper per gallon, but you have to burn 30% more of it.

Remember too, this E85 craze hit when pump gas prices were over $4/gallon. At that time, there was a benefit to be had, and why we see so many "flex fuel" vehicles on the road today. (My Silverado is a flex fuel truck, although I've never put E85 in it yet).

But now that pump gas prices are back to normal, that's not to say there still isn't a valid use for E85, you just have to build the setup that can take full advantage of it.
Most who mess around with it now are doing it in lieu of $6-10/gal race fuels.

Ask this same question in the FI section....you'll find more knowledgeable replies...such as this one: Corvette Forum - View Single Post - Who is running E-85?

[Y2Kvert4me]

That thread is getting uglier by the minute.

I bet it gets locked up before the day is over.

[Sneaks]

Still refuse to peek it.