E85 Fuel

[Batman]

Can some one tell me more about this E85 fuel that is cheeper than race gas?
What do I have to do to run it?
Or does it just give me gas?

[speedwrench44]

I switched the Vette over to e85 about two months ago, and while still haven't gotten all the issues worked out, am pleased with the results so far. I plan to switch the roadster over when I get this carb where I want it.
It is not a bolt it on and run deal unless MAYBE you buy a carb or send yours off to have it reworked, and even then may take more tuning. I have tried two supposedly identical Dominator carb bodies and each one took a different tune up.
I can tell you that Quick Fuel's e85 Dominator kit tune up bogs so bad the car won't even go on the transbrake. Three of us that tried the kit tuneup on similar combination's had the same results with them. Not saying the QF kit is bad, you still get your money's worth in quality parts if you decide to go that way, but be prepared to spend some money on jets, and some time testing.
And install an accurate EGT gage (less than $100) before you switch.

Now the good news.

$1.60 gallon at the HEB in Mission last month.

Oil stays clean. It doesn't milk the oil like methanol does, even if you get it waay rich.

E85 is forgiving (good thing) as far as engine damage if you go lean.

It is not corrosive like methanol.

Octane rating is 105-109 depending on who you believe, but due to the cooling of the intake charge, it doesn't detonate like gasoline would. I'm running 14+ compression with no problems.

Bad news:

E85 is not gasoline or methanol. It has entirely different physical property's and what worked with them doesn't necessarily work with e85.

It will absorb water out of the air so have to be careful and keep it closed up

Not easy to get some places. Only one place in Valley selling it that I know of is HEB in Mission.

Overall, I like it. And it has been, and continues to be, educational. Amazing how much I've learned about Holley Dominator carbs.

Best advice I can give you (that I didn't do) is get carb running good on gas, leave motor including timing alone, go 35% bigger on everything in carb including metering blocks, and go from there.



Dave