We could run e40 in the explorer but don't because of reasons like having to calculate out a good e40 mix. Then there is fords better idea for ECU programming plus its DI... I'd rather just add in some vp ms109 or like gas...
Photo by David S. Wallens
The science says that E85 produces more power than straight gasoline. And then reality reminds us that not every car is tailored for that highly oxygenated fuel. Does a middle ground exist?
Maybe. Zachary J. Santner, manager of Product Engineering and Business Optimization at Sunoco Performance Products, offers a possible solution: E30, meaning a fuel mixture containing 30% ethanol. That mix adds oxygen for power and cooling yet doesn’t require the same increased fuel loads–meaning larger-capacity pumps and injectors–demanded by E85.
He reports that some tuners have found that 30% number to work well on cars not tuned or configured to run on E85. Call it a hack of sorts but, he adds, always check with your tuner to make sure it’s safe for your engine.
How to get E30? Two options. The first, Santner explains, involves mixing your own–which he personally did just to show us the data below. He mixed Sunoco 93–already containing up to 10% ethanol–with the brand’s E85-R, a race fuel always containing exactly 85% ethanol. The ethanol mixture of pump E85, he adds, can range between 51% and 83%. The octane of each mixture was determined using the same test rig employed by Sunoco for its retail products.
Another approach: Sunoco now offers a consistent, turnkey solution with its E30-R, a highly oxygenated, high-octane race fuel that always contains 30% ethanol. Either way, that additional headroom can now allow for extra tuning.
We could run e40 in the explorer but don't because of reasons like having to calculate out a good e40 mix. Then there is fords better idea for ECU programming plus its DI... I'd rather just add in some vp ms109 or like gas...
I run this mix in my JDM car that is tuned for 100 ron. The first few tanks were a little rough as the corn juice is a great fuel system cleaner. New filter and plugs after running a few tanks through it and it is happy as can be. My local vender has been about 70% mix for their E85 for all of the tanks I've tested so I quit testing and just use that for my math.
I know I'm not the only one who saw this and thought "But that's an E46, not an E30."
Displaying 1-3 of 3 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
