E-85 on a stock 370z?

JeffP-Z · 06-23-2020, 03:05 AM

I have done some searches and have not come up with a concrete answer yet so here goes....Can you run E-85 in a 2010 370z? I have added Stillen Gen 3 CAI and ARK DT-S exhaust. It was originally tuned on 93 octane. Can I switch over to E-85 safely? Do I need an E-85 sensor kit? I was thinking of switching to E-85 if possible and having it retuned as I am about to add Berk Resonated Test Pipes. I read the owner's manual and it specifically says not to use E-85 but I wanted to ask people with more experience here who have already done this. Thanks in advance and apologies if I missed the answer in the existing E-85 threads.

ByThaBay · 06-23-2020, 04:25 AM

I just tuned a 100% stock 2015 roadster on E85 with ecutek, no mods except it had GTR injectors to provide the necessary fueling. The car used my software flexfuel programming that allows adjustment of ethanol content without the use of a sensor.

There is a dyno sheet if you scroll through, the car made 310 whp.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAV39eQHZcB/

Whjaxn17 · 06-23-2020, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffP-Z

I have done some searches and have not come up with a concrete answer yet so here goes....Can you run E-85 in a 2010 370z? I have added Stillen Gen 3 CAI and ARK DT-S exhaust. It was originally tuned on 93 octane. Can I switch over to E-85 safely? Do I need an E-85 sensor kit? I was thinking of switching to E-85 if possible and having it retuned as I am about to add Berk Resonated Test Pipes. I read the owner's manual and it specifically says not to use E-85 but I wanted to ask people with more experience here who have already done this. Thanks in advance and apologies if I missed the answer in the existing E-85 threads.

GTR injectors are the easy go-to. Then all you need is a tune.

Specialty Z offers a flexfuel kit that would make it much easier, but you can have separate 93 and E85 maps and just switch, but you have to run it way down low before switching w/o that kit.

Spartan 1771 · 06-23-2020, 08:54 AM

I've been thinking about this, but my Z sits in the garage for the winter months. From what I hear, I would need to ensure there is no E85 in the tank during these periods.

JLarson · 06-23-2020, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan 1771

I've been thinking about this, but my Z sits in the garage for the winter months. From what I hear, I would need to ensure there is no E85 in the tank during these periods.

Make your last tank before storage 93?

SonicVQ · 06-23-2020, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByThaBay

I just tuned a 100% stock 2015 roadster on E85 with ecutek, no mods except it had GTR injectors to provide the necessary fueling. The car used my software flexfuel programming that allows adjustment of ethanol content without the use of a sensor.

There is a dyno sheet if you scroll through, the car made 310 whp.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAV39eQHZcB/

Nice results!
I'm surprised the stock fuel pump was able to provide enough volume.
What was the maximum injector pulse width on E85 with the GT-R injectors?

BossJ · 06-23-2020, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonicVQ

Nice results!
I'm surprised the stock fuel pump was able to provide enough volume.
What was the maximum injector pulse width on E85 with the GT-R injectors?

I’m running e85 on 1050cc injectors - flex fuel from specialty Z - stock fuel pump.

SonicVQ · 06-23-2020, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossJ

I’m running e85 on 1050cc injectors - flex fuel from specialty Z - stock fuel pump.

Thanks for the reply...
I'm going to double check my fuel calculation to see how much reserve capacity the stock pump has for gasoline/stock injectors and E85 with 570cc (stock GT-rR) and 1050cc injectors.

SouthArk370Z · 06-23-2020, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan 1771

I've been thinking about this, but my Z sits in the garage for the winter months. From what I hear, I would need to ensure there is no E85 in the tank during these periods.

If the temperature in the garage doesn't change much, you should be OK storing the car for a few months with E85 in the tank.

If the temp varies widely, the tank can breathe and suck in some moisture with each breath.

teehee · 06-23-2020, 03:50 PM

if I dont upgrade my car by this year, I might do e85 with gtr injector and flex fuel from specialty z

Cyber370 · 06-23-2020, 04:28 PM

I’m surprised that a stock 370z can handle E85 without any damage to the various fuel lines, seals and other plastic and rubber parts in the fuel system. It’s good to know if higher than 10% ethanol is ever mandated in Canada.

Spartan 1771 · 06-23-2020, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

If the temperature in the garage doesn't change much, you should be OK storing the car for a few months with E85 in the tank.

If the temp varies widely, the tank can breathe and suck in some moisture with each breath.

My garage isn't HVAC controlled and I live in Maryland. The average temperatures range from 20f in the winter to 100f in the summer. The accumulation of moisture in the fuel system is my concern.

JeffP-Z · 06-24-2020, 05:38 AM

So I switched over yesterday to try and test. I ran the car down to as far on empty as I could, which was no longer registering a distance on the miles till empty, filled it half way with E-85 and drive about 50 miles, then filled it back up to full with e85. This car is running fine, except it threw a code (U0164 Lost Communication With HVAC Control Module, CAN Communication Error) which I am not sure is at all related. What didn't happen as I expected, the OBD2 never changed from fuel_type = GAS. I would have expected it to switch to E85, Ethanol, or similar. How does the ECU know I am now on E85 and not 93 to use the different fuel map? I have not had it tuned on E85, obviously, and will do it after my Berk test pipe arrives Friday and is installed. Just curious if this is a workable situation or do I need to get one of the E85 kits from Zspeed, CZP, or Z1?

SonicVQ · 06-24-2020, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffP-Z

So I switched over yesterday to try and test. I ran the car down to as far on empty as I could, which was no longer registering a distance on the miles till empty, filled it half way with E-85 and drive about 50 miles, then filled it back up to full with e85.

This car is running fine, except it threw a code (U0164 Lost Communication With HVAC Control Module, CAN Communication Error) which I am not sure is at all related.

What didn't happen as I expected, the OBD2 never changed from fuel_type = GAS. I would have expected it to switch to E85, Ethanol, or similar.

How does the ECU know I am now on E85 and not 93 to use the different fuel map? [/b] I have not had it tuned on E85[/b], obviously, and will do it after my Berk test pipe arrives Friday and is installed. Just curious if this is a workable situation or do I need to get one of the E85 kits from Zspeed, CZP, or Z1?

The OBD PID for "fuel type" does not indicate what fuel is in the tank, it indicates what fuel type the ECU is programmed for.

The ECU has no idea what fuel type is in use, since the car isn't designed for it, it doesn't have a ethanol sensor.

With the E85 in the tank and a stock ECU I would think the engine is running lean. The target air/fuel ratio (stoichiometric ratio) are very different: Gas 14.7:1, E85: 9.8:1

husam2012 · 06-24-2020, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffP-Z

So I switched over yesterday to try and test. I ran the car down to as far on empty as I could, which was no longer registering a distance on the miles till empty, filled it half way with E-85 and drive about 50 miles, then filled it back up to full with e85. This car is running fine, except it threw a code (U0164 Lost Communication With HVAC Control Module, CAN Communication Error) which I am not sure is at all related. What didn't happen as I expected, the OBD2 never changed from fuel_type = GAS. I would have expected it to switch to E85, Ethanol, or similar. How does the ECU know I am now on E85 and not 93 to use the different fuel map? I have not had it tuned on E85, obviously, and will do it after my Berk test pipe arrives Friday and is installed. Just curious if this is a workable situation or do I need to get one of the E85 kits from Zspeed, CZP, or Z1?

Why would you ever attempt to run E85 without a tune?

The car is definitely running very lean at the moment, especially WOT as the car can correct up to 25% during idle/cruising but it will take a while for it to apply that to WOT fueling, and on top of it the injectors aren't big enough to go full throttle.

I would estimate that you'll be doing permanent damage after a few pulls.

06-23-2020, 03:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
JeffP-Z Base Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 36 Drives: 2010 370z Supercharg Rep Power: 4	E-85 on a stock 370z? I have done some searches and have not come up with a concrete answer yet so here goes....Can you run E-85 in a 2010 370z? I have added Stillen Gen 3 CAI and ARK DT-S exhaust. It was originally tuned on 93 octane. Can I switch over to E-85 safely? Do I need an E-85 sensor kit? I was thinking of switching to E-85 if possible and having it retuned as I am about to add Berk Resonated Test Pipes. I read the owner's manual and it specifically says not to use E-85 but I wanted to ask people with more experience here who have already done this. Thanks in advance and apologies if I missed the answer in the existing E-85 threads. jchammond likes this. __________________ - Jeff Drift Z: 2010 370z, TopGun Rotrex Supercharger, ID 1300cc Injectors, FI Long Tube Headers, GReddy RS-Race Single Exit, Setrab PS & Oil Cooler, BC Racing BR Coilovers, CJM S1.SE Fuel System, Walbro 525 pump with the CJM Billet Fuel Hat, OS Giken Superlock 1.5

06-23-2020, 04:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
ByThaBay Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 237 Drives: 2015 370z Rep Power: 6724	I just tuned a 100% stock 2015 roadster on E85 with ecutek, no mods except it had GTR injectors to provide the necessary fueling. The car used my software flexfuel programming that allows adjustment of ethanol content without the use of a sensor. There is a dyno sheet if you scroll through, the car made 310 whp. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAV39eQHZcB/ Optimiser, jchammond and SwedeZ like this.

06-23-2020, 08:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Spartan 1771 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,280 Drives: Wife crazy & 09 370Z Rep Power: 105453	I've been thinking about this, but my Z sits in the garage for the winter months. From what I hear, I would need to ensure there is no E85 in the tank during these periods. __________________ ~Rob -DD Air Guide, Stillen G3 CAIs, 63mm Throttle Bodies, Motordyne M370, Berk HFCs, FI TDX CBE (non-res, CF), Sprint booster v3, Ecutek Dyno Tuned, and the list goes on...

06-23-2020, 04:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
Cyber370 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 679 Drives: 2016 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 19371	I’m surprised that a stock 370z can handle E85 without any damage to the various fuel lines, seals and other plastic and rubber parts in the fuel system. It’s good to know if higher than 10% ethanol is ever mandated in Canada. __________________ "That’s when you know you’ve found somebody special. When you can just shut the fck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.”-Mia (Pulp Fiction)*

06-24-2020, 05:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
JeffP-Z Base Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 36 Drives: 2010 370z Supercharg Rep Power: 4	So I switched over yesterday to try and test. I ran the car down to as far on empty as I could, which was no longer registering a distance on the miles till empty, filled it half way with E-85 and drive about 50 miles, then filled it back up to full with e85. This car is running fine, except it threw a code (U0164 Lost Communication With HVAC Control Module, CAN Communication Error) which I am not sure is at all related. What didn't happen as I expected, the OBD2 never changed from fuel_type = GAS. I would have expected it to switch to E85, Ethanol, or similar. How does the ECU know I am now on E85 and not 93 to use the different fuel map? I have not had it tuned on E85, obviously, and will do it after my Berk test pipe arrives Friday and is installed. Just curious if this is a workable situation or do I need to get one of the E85 kits from Zspeed, CZP, or Z1? __________________ - Jeff Drift Z: 2010 370z, TopGun Rotrex Supercharger, ID 1300cc Injectors, FI Long Tube Headers, GReddy RS-Race Single Exit, Setrab PS & Oil Cooler, BC Racing BR Coilovers, CJM S1.SE Fuel System, Walbro 525 pump with the CJM Billet Fuel Hat, OS Giken Superlock 1.5

06-23-2020, 03:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
teehee Base Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: CA Posts: 117 Drives: 2017 Rep Power: 6	if I dont upgrade my car by this year, I might do e85 with gtr injector and flex fuel from specialty z

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