E85 Conversion: This is much more complicated than anticipated
 

So I'm going to go the corn fuel route for a bunch of reasons and need to know what I need to do to prepare. So far I have:

-Fuel pump. Currently running a Walbro 255lph. Do I need to go higher?

-Injectors. Currently have Bosch 645cc. Do I need to bump those too?

-Fuel return system. Do I need one? If I do, what's the difference between the AAM system and the Concept Z system (other than the $200 price difference)?

-Hill's will handle the extra tune map that I'll need.

-Have a handy app on my phone that shows me where all of the corn fuel stations are around here so I won't run out of gas

What can I expect in terms of HP/Tq bump? What else do I need?

1000cc injectors and at least a 340 lph pump.

Return fuel is not necessarily required. Talk to CJ (phunk).

Gains up to 20%, expect more than 10%.

When looking at e85 gas stations remember that your mpg will drop significantly.

Thanks. That's what Frank (Hill's) said too. Going with Injector Dynamics 1000cc, Aeromotive something 340lph pump and a re-tune.

Also going to go ahead and upgrade the clutch while I'm at it. Southbend stage 2 street something or another.

Since you're SC and won't be turning up the boost, are you really going to see those 20% gains? All you could do is add a lot more timing, right? I'd expect some gains, and a lot more detonation resistance and a cooler intake charge, but not the massive jump turboed guys are seeing. I'd still do it if it's readily available around you, but just as a safety measure and any big power gains would be a nice surprise.

Are you going to be running E85 all the time, or switching back and forth with pump gas? Isn't it a big pain to switch since you've got to make sure the tank is completely empty of pump gas so as to not dilute the E85 down?

Also what Frank said. He said I'd see a bump but not a huge one. I'm fine with that. I'm doing this mostly as a safety precaution.
I will be running E85 all the time but will have a tune map for pump gas in case of emergency.

Any idea how E85 works with emissions?

Isn't it cleaner burning? I thought that was one of the reasons our government wanted all of us to switch. Well, that and the huge campaign contributions from Big Agriculture. :rofl2:

I wish E85 was an option around me. I'm getting jealous.

It's everywhere around me. I have 5 stations in a 5 mile radius.
I think it is "cleaner" but stinks to high heaven so who knows.

It doesn't stink, it smells fabulous.

E85 isn't cleaner burning it turns out...It used to be marketed as cleaner burning but recent studies prove that to be false.

And just to add to it

340lph pump and ID1000s like I said a year ago.

Really interested to see how it bumps the power on the SC though. I don't know that we have seen this particular combo yet.

A year ago I wasn't sure whether this sort of upgrade was in the cards and I certainly didn't have the budget for it after the SC install fiasco. I'm also going to have him run a compression test while it's in there because I'm paranoid.

Car is going in for the conversion on Monday evening. Depending on the findings with the clutch, I'll either repair the stock clutch or go with a Southbend stage 2 street. Leaving that part up to Frank.

*Frank the mechanic, not Frank the dog

Curious about the results, been thinking of e85 for my SC but also want to throw on a smaller pulley to bump my PSI up to 10 (only have the stage 1 SC unit though).

Pulled the trigger today. Car is at Hill's. Just bought the 1000cc ID injectors and a 340lph fuel pump.

Fun story: I have to figure out a way to get a bunch of E85 gas to Frank for him to to tune it (and for me to drive it home). He has a race shop he uses but they charge like 3x what I'll pay at the pump. I'm going to go to home depot and buy a couple 5 gallon cans, fill them up and have my girlfriend haul them up there since she works in the area. She is going to be pissed.

Dreamer, I'll post dyno sheets for you once we're done. With the lower pressure/heat, I'm going to tell Frank not to hold back on power and see what he can do.

Edit: Also Frank caught a small oil leak that was giving me f'ing fits. I knew it was coming from the general vicinity of the SC oil cooler but couldn't nail it down. Turns out there was a pinhole leak in one of the oil lines that only manifested when the car was pushed hard enough/oil got hot enough. Nothing like waking up to a puddle of oil underneath a FI converted car ajsdafn

So besides e85 fuel, the only other changes you are making are injectors & fuel pump (and a new tune but of course).

In other news, someone buy my old injectors and fuel pump. Thanks.