E85 tunes

[Bryank734]

Wondering if anyone has any experience with the tow or performance tunes in E85? Is it worth it or does the mileage suck as bad as stock? Dont normally run it based on the drop in MPG but I know the octane rating is way higher the regular gas.

[cleatus12r]

Here's the deal in plain and simple English:

Ethanol is a STUPID idea. It's a fuel with a low (compared to REAL gas) energy potential and requires a more fuel-rich stoichiometric air/fuel ratio to run properly. It makes ZERO sense to use a fuel that costs as much as real gasoline but gives far less energy per gallon and requires more fuel to run right (read: less power and less fuel economy). Looking at the fuel from an octane standpoint offers nothing because the octane means nothing...except that it's less prone to self-ignite in the combustion chamber due to pressure. No more, no less. Octane IS NOT a basis on which to measure performance or fuel economy, nor is it an aspect of determining "quality" or "cleanliness".

Not withstanding, it's a ridiculous idea to use a fuel that has been made from a product that can easily be used to put food on the table (RED MEAT!!) and which has been government subsidized for years with ZERO financial turn-around. In addition, it's far worse for the environment (just for the enviro-nazis out there) because, like new diesel trucks, burning MORE fuel in the same amount of time/miles is NOT more Earth-friendly regardless of what you can or can't see coming from the tailpipe.

Skip on ethanol. It's crap (family-friendly term).

[Bryank734]

It is a renewable fuel but takes too much land to work. Just wondered if a custom tune could take more advantage of the higher octane level with timing or something.

[Longshot270]

Originally Posted by Bryank734

It is a renewable fuel but takes too much land to work. Just wondered if a custom tune could take more advantage of the higher octane level with timing or something.

Not as renewable as they like to preach. The tractors that make it practically burn up the yield.

The only times I've heard of it being better for performance is in high compression engines...and even for that purpose I hear mixed results from track and drag race engine builders. Some say it is as good as race fuel, others say it is trash.