E85 - Ducati.ms

freezer16801 · Oct 28th, 2008, 7:59 pm

Has anyone tried running E85 or a mixture of E85 and regular gasonline in their Hypers? I've been reading a huge post on a subaru WRX forum reporting some real positive benefits to running it. The WRX is a turbocharged car that can really benefit from higher octane. E 85 is supposed to have around 120 octane. Many people that tune for it are gaining some respectable horsepower by using E85 but are getting lower fuel mileage. According to those that have been testing it, they claim that ethanol has a higher potential to produce power but isn't as efficient. It is also nearly 40 cents cheaper/gallon. They reported to have gotten slightly cheaper per mile of use out of E85 as compared to gasoline because of the price difference. They claim that performance benefits can be noticed even on stock WRX's with about 35-50% mixture and can benefit the most when tuned for 100% E85.

**desmoworks** · Oct 28th, 2008, 8:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by freezer16801

Has anyone tried running E85 or a mixture of E85 and regular gasonline in their Hypers? I've been reading a huge post on a subaru WRX forum reporting some real positive benefits to running it. The WRX is a turbocharged car that can really benefit from higher octane. E 85 is supposed to have around 120 octane. Many people that tune for it are gaining some respectable horsepower by using E85 but are getting lower fuel mileage. According to those that have been testing it, they claim that ethanol has a higher potential to produce power but isn't as efficient. It is also nearly 40 cents cheaper/gallon. They reported to have gotten slightly cheaper per mile of use out of E85 as compared to gasoline because of the price difference. They claim that performance benefits can be noticed even on stock WRX's with about 35-50% mixture and can benefit the most when tuned for 100% E85.

I've used it in my truck (flex fuel titan) and it was fine... gas mileage was definitely down and at the time ethanol was 30 cents a gallon more than regular so it didn't make sense. Plus it leaves a larger carbon footprint and is really messing with food prices, but that is another debate that has been beaten to death on other forums.

It is good for performance though... check out this E85 Lotus!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8jCaLPAKD8

freezer16801 · Oct 28th, 2008, 8:16 pm

that was an awesome video. I know I would run it in the WRX (around 50%) if it were close to me. But the closest station is an hour away. How do you think the hyper would like it? I know that there has been some concern with alcohol prematurely wearing away at rubber fuel componenets if they aren't a grade intended for higher percentage alcohol fuels (most gasoline is already 10% or higher at the pumps now).

I do like the idea of being able to farm for our own engergy. I spent a year in Iraq and can't help but to think that this might help our problems. I hope I didn't start up that debate.

**desmoworks** · Oct 28th, 2008, 8:56 pm

I was thinking about running it in my Triumph 675 and creating a map for it with my tuneboy. Could be a fun little project. I've heard the seal issue is a moot point for most new vehicles... only a concern for older vehicles, but I don't know!

freezer16801 · Oct 29th, 2008, 8:12 am

It may be an interesting lil idea for an affordable track day fuel? Not quite to picukup from U4 but half the price and even cheaper than 93

sculptor666 · Oct 29th, 2008, 10:22 am

the alstare suzuki team used it here:

http://www.alstare.net/index.php/eng...ested-at-Monza

lelenb · Oct 29th, 2008, 11:42 am

I was working in Sioux Falls South Dakota and E85 was $1.57 as of yesterday. E85 was was $1.67 on the 27th so prices are still dropping.

sculptor666 · Oct 29th, 2008, 12:23 pm

it's 2.50 or so in pa, but should go down soon... closest place to me that sells it is on the turnpike... not that it's listed on their sign.

freezer16801 · Oct 29th, 2008, 8:43 pm

its funny, I was at that rest stop on the PA NE extension of the turnpike. There was a line of vehicles lined up for regular gasoline. Some of which I know were flex fuel vehicles. The only car in the E85 line was a car that parked there to go use the shitter. I remember wondering if my car could take some since it was so much cheaper per gallon and there were no lines. This is the experience that caused to me to start researching a bit in the first place.

It seems that people know nothing about the fuel and are hesitant to use it.

Here is a website to help anyone to find the closest station to you http://www.e85refueling.com/ There is also a link on the left side "I need E85 in my town". You can sign up to help in whatever capacity to get a station closer to you.

sculptor666 · Oct 29th, 2008, 10:18 pm

yeah, i get strange looks or a "what's ethan-all?" every time i'm there. you can't even pay for it at the pump... they're worried people will confuse it with gasoline. never mind the 10,000 signs and the bright yellow pumps with ears of corn on them. the next closest station for me is in philadelphia, which also sells b20 biodeisel.