Ethanol fuel

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by WardL

Some of the additives in fuels are designed to keep deposits out of the engines.

Ward, I believed that for some years - until I started to look behind the curtain of the "Fuel Sales Pitch Additive".
After I talked to some petrol chemical engineers my mind changed.

Over the years I watched the fuel get worse and worse. Deposits in engines even they fine tuned fuel injected.
These engines (150K +) look in the inside bad - like a carb engine with 100k on the clock never had an tuneup and was planted in a 1977 truck.

Today's engines are pretty sophisticated, but they do not burn much cleaner because of the bad fuel.
What the engine management does, is to recirculate some of the unburned gases and burn it one more time in the CAT. Thus they produce less emissions - that's all.

I experimented with different fuels quite a bit. My lawn mover and generator runs on Coleman white gas and they start at first pull.

Some of my 2-stroke engines cost close to $1K - they only get the racing fuel because they stay clean and run reliable, not because performance.

You should see the difference of deposits between mine and the exact same engines running with pump gas.

Here is a clip to explain why I like reliable engines... (Two 85CC 25 inch propellers)

G-Pete's P-38M - YouTube

[Ralphy]

A few weeks back I was given a copy of Grassroots Motorsports, December 2012. It contains an article titled, The Fuel Truth. They used an SCCA 1990 Miata with a 2001 long block, built by Kevin Boswell. A C Street Prepared Autocross Class car.

They tuned and dyno tested these fuels. With the following HP/Torque numbers.

Quick Trip 87 E10
135/117

Hyperfuels 93 EO No Alcohol
134/122

Quick Trip 93 E10
136/124

Shell URT 100 Racing Fuel
137/123

Shell URT 105 Racing Fuel
137/124

Hyperfuels E85 85% Ethanol Alcohol
143/128

VP M1 Racing Methanol Alcohol
160/140

There were very small increases in any primary gasoline based fuels. Methanol scored the highest while E85 finished second. Which I think shows performance wise, run the lowest price fuel that works efficiently in your motor. Unless you desire to run alcohol. Higher octane fuels do increase fuel mileage.


Ralphy

[rpatton3]

40% of the entire U.S. corn crop goes to ethanol. Several governors (INCLUDING MINE) petitioned EPA to get ethanol waiver. It was denied but I have found 93 octane ethanol free fuel just down the road.

Marinas also sell ethanol free fuel because of seasonal use and storage.

Enjoy Thanksgiving!

[Ralphy]

We recently had a Valero station open in town. On a board out front it says ethanol free gas. I've read on other message boards that dispute this. But hey, it's their station, their sign. I've got to check myself next time I pass by.

Ralphy

[rpatton3]

I may try racing fuel after all. With 610 miles in two years, fuel is an insignificant cost.

This has been informative.

[vatdevil]

The real problem with ethanol is its hygroscopic properties. It absorbs water and can eventually cause phase separation in your tank. Ethanol gas should be used within 90 days.

[rpatton3]

Well, I have a 2002 Thinderbird that has only 5,000 or so miles and just 610 on the Backdraft Roadster so we don't enjoy our play cars enough.

We should store Cobra with ethanol free fuel, racing or otherwise.
We should just drive Thunderbird more, but we won't. It will get Stabil for ethanol and I may search for real gas. I think there is 93 ethanol free fuel 1.5 miles from home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Ralphy]

The local Valero station has 90 octane non-ethanol fuel and 93 octane ethanol.

Ralphy

[Texasdoc]

Pure-gas doesn't list any ethanol free stations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Closest one to me is over an hour drive.

[rpatton3]

Make friends with a pilot! 100 ll runs fine.

[joyridin']

My buddy just changed one of his Porsche race cars over to E85 instead of racing gas. A lot cheaper and it gets more power (he hasn't dyno'd it yet). Plus, he can just stop at any station selling the stuff and buy it. Doesn't smell as cool, but that's life!

[rpatton3]

Would changing a Holley 4V to E85 jetting, etc. be hard? The 22 gallon tank would not take you very far, would it?

I would still have the short shelf life wouldn't I? The old time bikers get good gas at marinas in the area. I don't know what octane their fuel is.

If the BP station really has ethanol free 93 octane, I will be happy.

Years ago, I had a 427 FE with 10.9 compression and it ran fine on 100 low lead AV gas.

My search for good gas begins tomorrow in earnest. The gas station's phone number is connected to a fax machine so I will visit them in person.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Ralphy]

Are you talking about this BP?

pure-gas.org : display a station

Ralphy

[rpatton3]

Yes, that is it.

[rpatton3]

It is not a BP station anymore and all pumps looked like they had ethanol according to signs. Very busy place and phone rings to a fax machine.

Oh well!

Happy Thanksgiving!