E-85 conversion

[Mr. Wyndham]

I was wondering if anybody knew (cough)Gmpowertrainguys(cough) how difficult it is for a company (what it takes) to convert an engine to run E-85.

say, and engine like, the LS3...

Thanks!

[SSFreak11]

I'm pretty sure that it's only $100ish worth of parts in the engine that make it capable of running on E85. I could be wrong though...

[The_Stache]

I'm pretty sure that it's only $100ish worth of parts in the engine that make it capable of running on E85. I could be wrong though...

In parts yes.. just some hoses, injectors,and filters (maybe new tank or a coating inside the tank for corrosion).. but then it takes a COMPLETELY new engine tune for the engine management. Its the tune thats expensive because its completely custom.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I was thinking more along the lines, of (and I'm sure GM has to do all those things, too, though) what it would take for GM to make the LS3 E-85-able...cause that would make me the happiest person on the planet for a while.

[KILLER74Z28]

It takes a lot more than 100ish or so. All parts that are steel in the fuel system need to be stainless to keep from corroding, and as diarmadhi stated, a completely different program in the PCM/ECM that recognizes the difference between Unleaded to E85.

I still don’t get the E85 fad??? I understand it burns cleaner but what people don’t realizes is that in order to make E85, refineries need to burn two to three times more fossil fuel… But don’t worry we’ll figure that out 20 to 30 years from now…

[TAG UR IT]

And on top of that, where in the heck are you going to find E85??? I don't think I've ever seen a gas station that offered it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I don't like it because of emissions. Hell no. But I want this car to be driveable in 30 years. So I can take my family out cruising .
I don't think raw gasoline is going to survive that long.
And for vehicles that need the power, like trucks, and Muscle cars that pure electricity maybe can't offer, there has to be some substitute, untill the electric motors and batteries can evolve enough. I see that substitute as E-85....

But I can't read the future. I just see this as my best bet: I'd love an E-85 capable Camaro.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by KILLER74Z28

I still don’t get the E85 fad??? I understand it burns cleaner but what people don’t realizes is that in order to make E85, refineries need to burn two to three times more fossil fuel… But don’t worry we’ll figure that out 20 to 30 years from now…

The energy input to biofuels isn't that high and it depends on the type. but typically it is about 50% more to make a 'green' fuel. Its like getting out of debt by taking a loan. It solves the problem at the moment but just makes it worse for later on

As for where the push for biofuels, much of it comes from agriculture lobbiests saying that the poor farmer can't get by anymore. Before anyone picks on me for this 5/7 of my uncles are farmers. They seem to be doing fine. On top of that, the bulk of food production in the west is done on an industrial scale with individual farms the size of small countries, not quite the small farm that people had 50 years ago. Enough of the agricultural lesson. The point is the agri-corps are looking for a new way to make money so they make the fuel and get the government to help keep the cost down.

Now, to an extend I support ethanol (I think NASCAR should implement a rule saying that the teams have to grow their own fuel, pure ethanol = pure moonshine). It will help you become more energy independant. Canada has the odd situation where we sell you oil, but we also import it from the middle east as well. I have yet to hear a sensible explanation of that! Anyhoo. The total emissions will be reduced by using E85, just not eliminated as some supporters say.

[TAG UR IT]

I still say a hybrid is the way to go. A gasoline eating, E85 capable, bundle of electricity.

[Mr. Wyndham]

"bundle of electricity"...I like that,

[KILLER74Z28]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

I still say a hybrid is the way to go. A gasoline eating, E85 capable, bundle of electricity.

[KILLER74Z28]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The energy input to biofuels isn't that high and it depends on the type. but typically it is about 50% more to make a 'green' fuel. Its like getting out of debt by taking a loan. It solves the problem at the moment but just makes it worse for later on

As for where the push for biofuels, much of it comes from agriculture lobbiests saying that the poor farmer can't get by anymore. Before anyone picks on me for this 5/7 of my uncles are farmers. They seem to be doing fine. On top of that, the bulk of food production in the west is done on an industrial scale with individual farms the size of small countries, not quite the small farm that people had 50 years ago. Enough of the agricultural lesson. The point is the agri-corps are looking for a new way to make money so they make the fuel and get the government to help keep the cost down.

Now, to an extend I support ethanol (I think NASCAR should implement a rule saying that the teams have to grow their own fuel, pure ethanol = pure moonshine). It will help you become more energy independant. Canada has the odd situation where we sell you oil, but we also import it from the middle east as well. I have yet to hear a sensible explanation of that! Anyhoo. The total emissions will be reduced by using E85, just not eliminated as some supporters say.

Right, then it drive the cost of corn up for all consumers...

[Mr. Wyndham]

What about Cellulosic Ethanol? the basic idea, is to use left over products, like corn stalks and leaves, for example.

According to Wiki, and I know, it's wiki but whereas current ethanol production, and usage as a whole only reduces emissions by 18%, cellulosic ethanol, and burning reduces emissions by near 80%

[DGthe3]

Cellulose ethanol is a great idea. Its practically waste already. I think its doesn't have nearly the same yeild as sugar does. But its 'free' so that doesn't really matter