E85

johnydep · 26-08-2014, 01:25 PM

On Sunday I topped up my half tank of Vortex 95 with E85, then just drove to the shops & home.

Monday night I gave it a bit of throttle...wow. It could be my imagination but the engine feels like it is pulling harder and hits redline faster. I also think that is sounds slightly different.

This morning I noticed a lot more steam coming out the exhaust, until it is fully warmed up. And according to the trip computer fuel consumption is up very slightly.

So far I am impressed with it, though I will try a couple more tanks and see whether it's better to have a mix or go 100% E85.

Anyone else using it? What's your thoughts?

ratter · 26-08-2014, 01:41 PM

tuned or not tuned?

johnydep · 26-08-2014, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratter

tuned or not tuned?

Not tuned.

I have read that a tune will make a big difference. Maybe later when out of warranty.

Qwik6 · 26-08-2014, 01:49 PM

**Dave R** · 26-08-2014, 01:51 PM

I use United E85, can't fault it. I've read that they're currently rolling out their V8SC "race blend" which is ethanol + 98, supposedly good for 107 octane.

johnydep · 26-08-2014, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

I use United E85, can't fault it. I've read that they're currently rolling out their V8SC "race blend" which is ethanol + 98, supposedly good for 107 octane.

Wonder if that's a 50/50 mix?

Forgot to mention, I'm using the E85 in the work ute - VF SS-V.

**Dave R** · 26-08-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnydep

Wonder if that's a 50/50 mix?

Forgot to mention, I'm using the E85 in the work ute - VF SS-V.

It's generally ~85% ethanol + ~15% 95, which they claim to be 105 octane. Using 98 instead of 95 bumps it to 107.

ratter · 26-08-2014, 02:26 PM

commodore is fine to use it in with out a tune and yes it will go better but use more fuel

Qwik6 · 26-08-2014, 02:50 PM

_Ben · 26-08-2014, 03:13 PM

Stuffs good on a turbo engine - you wind up the boost a bit more, and play with the timing a bit.

blueoval · 26-08-2014, 04:33 PM

Ummm.... please be very very careful putting E85 in an untuned vehicle. If your car has not come from factory (i.e. Flex fuel compatible) to handle E85 or being custom tuned to that fuel, you could be in for a world of hurt.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-e...age-engine.htm
http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars...heets/e85_fuel
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news...3#.U_wpzMOwVp0

johnydep · 26-08-2014, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratter

commodore is fine to use it in with out a tune and yes it will go better but use more fuel

I presume the power increase is only due to the higher octane rating. I've read that more power is achievable with a change of injector and timing.

geckoGT · 26-08-2014, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

Ummm.... please be very very careful putting E85 in an untuned vehicle. If your car has not come from factory (i.e. Flex fuel compatible) to handle E85 or being custom tuned to that fuel, you could be in for a world of hurt.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-e...age-engine.htm
http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars...heets/e85_fuel
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news...3#.U_wpzMOwVp0

The OP is using it in a Commodore SSV which is flex fuel.

blueoval · 26-08-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoGT

The OP is using it in a Commodore SSV which is flex fuel.

I didn't read that in the original post. I was assuming he put it in his territory as per his avatar. If johnny is putting it into his SS Commodore ute, then that's fine. What I wrote is still a good warning for those reading this thread who may assume it would be ok for 'non flex fuel' vehicles.

**Dave R** · 26-08-2014, 05:05 PM

Indeed, not too long ago someone started a thread in the performance section after they put E85 in their stock XR6 Turbo (because they saw a friend using it in their SS Commodore). Poor guy was wondering why it was running horribly.

Most stations will have a warning next to the ethanol bowser.

johnydep · 26-08-2014, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

Indeed, not too long ago someone started a thread in the performance section after they put E85 in their stock XR6 Turbo (because they saw a friend using it in their SS Commodore). Poor guy was wondering why it was running horribly.

Most stations will have a warning next to the ethanol bowser.

I drove into the station & it took me a while to find it, when I did I had to re-check what I was seeing. The handle has a plate on top that has to be lifted to remove, and plenty of warnings. Must cause a few issues in standard vehicles.

Just read some articles that reckon the Commodore has a sensor which detects the fuel type. I say "reckon" because it also said that the VE II commodore has a stainless fuel tank

The article also said be wary of bolt on conversion kits.

johnydep · 26-08-2014, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

Ummm.... please be very very careful putting E85 in an untuned vehicle. If your car has not come from factory (i.e. Flex fuel compatible) to handle E85 or being custom tuned to that fuel, you could be in for a world of hurt.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-e...age-engine.htm
http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars...heets/e85_fuel
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news...3#.U_wpzMOwVp0

The only concern I have is the mention in one of those articles - "clogging the filters". The Commodore's don't have a decent fuel filter, it's just a heavy duty sock in the tank

blueoval · 26-08-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnydep

The only concern I have is the mention in one of those articles - "clogging the filters". The Commodore's don't have a decent fuel filter, it's just a heavy duty sock in the tank

Fair enough. At least you have warranty should anything go wrong.

DanielXR8 · 26-08-2014, 06:02 PM

I've got a VF Redline and it runs great on E85. Smooth and definitely better performance.

ratter · 26-08-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnydep

I presume the power increase is only due to the higher octane rating. I've read that more power is achievable with a change of injector and timing.

higher octane does not give you more power, but it gives the ability for more spark advance to be used which will give you more power. The commodore is flex fuel so will automatically adjust fuel and spark based on the ethanol % of the fuel being used

graham_h · 26-08-2014, 06:44 PM

I'll be looking at one of these
http://www.haltech.com/flex-fuel-sensor-explained/

ratter · 26-08-2014, 07:11 PM

his commodore already has a flex fuel sensor

GASWAGON · 26-08-2014, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratter

higher octane does not give you more power, but it gives the ability for more spark advance to be used which will give you more power. The commodore is flex fuel so will automatically adjust fuel and spark based on the ethanol % of the fuel being used

So the VE upwards commodores DO use a 'flex fuel' sensor in the tank then???

ratter · 26-08-2014, 07:20 PM

do not think it is in the tank

GASWAGON · 26-08-2014, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratter

do not think it is in the tank

O.k sorry it not in the tank but is defineatley in the fuel system somewhere like the Haltech posted buy previous poster.

ratter · 26-08-2014, 07:33 PM

The haltech sensor is a GM one (I'm pretty sure it's GM) just rebranded

danzvtil · 26-08-2014, 07:57 PM

my brother in law has a VE Berlina 3.0 S11, he notices its DOWN on power and responsiveness on the E85 also his range per tank looses 100-150 kays. He just uses standard 95 now.
Holdens expertise in ethanol goes back to sending VT's to Brazil back in the day.

johnydep · 26-08-2014, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

my brother in law has a VE Berlina 3.0 S11, he notices its DOWN on power and responsiveness on the E85 also his range per tank looses 100-150 kays. He just uses standard 95 now.
Holdens expertise in ethanol goes back to sending VT's to Brazil back in the day.

I wouldn't put 3.0 VE & power in the same sentence

Maybe he has a problem. Just watched a video on the Haltech site & saw some healthy power gains on dyno.

Wonder if the missus would mind a power boost on her car

simon varley · 27-08-2014, 10:56 AM

I don't really know how the haltec sensor works and the website doesn't explain it as far as I can see. I know that Ford use a knock sensor on the block of their FFV cars to adjust timing based on octane rating. The 2.5 Ranger is flex fuel up to 100% for South America.

johnydep · 27-08-2014, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon varley

I don't really know how the haltec sensor works and the website doesn't explain it as far as I can see. I know that Ford use a knock sensor on the block of their FFV cars to adjust timing based on octane rating. The 2.5 Ranger is flex fuel up to 100% for South America.

Reading the info on Ethanol fuels; because the fuel has less energy, more fuel is required. This is done by allowing the injectors to deliver extra fuel with longer pulses, etc. The sensor monitors the ethanol percentage and allows the ECU to adjust to suit.

I wonder if the new Falcon can run on E85?