E85?

[Mkn95u0]

Was talking to a shop and they said that there is a sensor that goes inline that detects the type of fuel then sends a signal to the ecu to trigger the e85 tune (after I actually get a tune, obviously not stock tune)

I would like some input from people or anyone who personally has an e85 set up, can you tell me what all is involved, what parts you needed, anything changed out in the fuel lines?

I'm sitting in a ross parking lot waiting for my wife so can't search.

Any info you guys can provide would be much appreciated.

Current mods:
Stock internals, s/c'd, long tubes, no cats, cai.

[DarkCry956]

Search for Dave Steck FlexFuel sensor

[Mkn95u0]

Can't search... On cell phone, doesn't work

Edit: my bad ha, it's late I'm tired. So that's the sensor that is required, is that it these days? Something that simple + tune?

[DarkCry956]

If you have enough fuel then yup. If not then you'd need fuel pump and injectors too

[Mike H]

All you need is the flex sensor from a 12-13 impala, it's pigtail and 1 computer pin. I used 3/8 stainless tube unions to install into the factory line. $140 for the whole setup. Pulled 5v reference and ground from the map sensor and ran the other to pin 40 on the x1 connector

[z3R0fo01]

You will need a pump that was designed for e85 otherwise it will only last so long.

[2010SSRSM6]

Depending on your power level you will need the Flex fuel sensor, injectors, dual/triple fuel pumps that can work with E-85 and a tuner to get the most out of it.

I went from 590rwhp to 750rwhp adding the before mentioned E-85 requirements, meth and 10% OD 8 rib setup.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cornfield camaro]

Originally Posted by z3R0fo01

You will need a pump that was designed for e85 otherwise it will only last so long.

that would be incorrect.

[Mkn95u0]

Would a zl1 pump be sufficient with ID850's + the sensor?

[z3R0fo01]

Originally Posted by Mkn95u0

Would a zl1 pump be sufficient with ID850's + the sensor?

Definitely not. The zl1 pump was not designed for ethanol levels that high. It not only states it in the manual, but it is pretty common knowledge that e85 will eat up a regular pump relatively quickly.

Alcohol will eat some compounds up pretty damn fast. I spilled some rubbing alcohol on my Tempurpedic pillow top and it ate a hole in it almost immediately.

Alcohol also does something to the lubricating property of the fuel. I am not sure if this is why you need a higher flowing pump or not, but you do. I do not know what the numbers are, but you will need to over compensate with e85.

Also, I don't have first hand experience with e85, but I did do a fair amount of research on the topic before I purchased my squash fuel system.

[Mkn95u0]

Originally Posted by z3R0fo01

Definitely not. The zl1 pump was not designed for ethanol levels that high. It not only states it in the manual, but it is pretty common knowledge that e85 will eat up a regular pump relatively quickly.

At my research level, there is not much 'common knowledge' on the subject

Originally Posted by z3R0fo01

Alcohol will eat some compounds up pretty damn fast. I spilled some rubbing alcohol on my Tempurpedic pillow top and it ate a hole in it almost immediately.

Alcohol also does something to the lubricating property of the fuel. I am not sure if this is why you need a higher flowing pump or not, but you do. I do not know what the numbers are, but you will need to over compensate with e85.

Also, I don't have first hand experience with e85, but I did do a fair amount of research on the topic before I purchased my squash fuel system.

This is really why i'm trying to ask questions - what is it that I need to safely run E85?

what kind of pump?
what kind of injectors?
will that 1 inline sensor do the trick w/ a tune?
any changes to the fuel lines / fittings?
what should i be aware of?

[Mkn95u0]

Originally Posted by cornfield camaro

that would be incorrect.

would you like to chime in any additional info? I'm seeing 2 different responses on this.

[2010SSRSM6]

Originally Posted by Mkn95u0

At my research level, there is not much 'common knowledge' on the subject



This is really why i'm trying to ask questions - what is it that I need to safely run E85?

what kind of pump?
what kind of injectors?
will that 1 inline sensor do the trick w/ a tune?
any changes to the fuel lines / fittings?
what should i be aware of?

what kind of pump? Squash dual or Fore Triple

what kind of injectors? Bosch 1000's or ID 1000's

will that 1 inline sensor do the trick w/ a tune? Yup!

any changes to the fuel lines / fittings? Both of the above mentioned systems will come with everything you need. Upgrade to better lines with the Squash kit so you don't smell the fuel.

Like previously stated, E-85 is corrosive to fuel system components. You also need to flow about 30% more E-85 than normal 91-93, but the benefits are well worth the change if you are FI or turbo. NA I'd keep off E-85 and save the $$$.

[dreksnot]

Originally Posted by Mkn95u0

This is really why i'm trying to ask questions - what is it that I need to safely run E85?

what kind of pump?
what kind of injectors?
will that 1 inline sensor do the trick w/ a tune?
any changes to the fuel lines / fittings?
what should i be aware of?

Depending on your power level goal, choose a fuel pump that will achieve 133% of 91/93 octane goal, meaning, if a LPE twin-fuel could get your 750rwhp, it could yield you around 575rwhp on E85. That's just an example. If I'm remembering correctly, a ZL1 pump with a BAP could get your 650rwhp-ish on 91/93, so expect near 500rwhp on E85. [IMO, undersized for your goal]. So, the biggest pump your can afford is ideal.

That said, injectors would need to flow 33% more E85 than 91/93. You can get a reference point by seeing your max duty cycle with what you're running now. At minimum ID850's to get over the stock injector hump. I'm running ID1000's now and peak at 67% duty cycle WOT (making 800rwhp on E85) with a LPE twin-fuel. I'm riding the razor's edge and know it. ID1300's or ID2000's would ease the anxiety.

The inline flex fuel sensor reads alcohol percentage content by inductance, or something like that. If you research DSX (Dave Steck's offerings), you'll see his harness makes for a simple plug and play arrangement, else you could make your own with a little, or a lot, frustration. That input from the sensor into your E38 will allow the flex fuel setting in your tune to be turned on. Then the appropriate E85 tables can be populated with the tune information to take advantage of E85 in the tank, as well as just 91/93, or any blend (best of both worlds). Or, you can just tune for E85 without the flex fuel sensor and only run that year round, and reload a tune for just running 91/93.

No fuel lines swaps are necessary but using fittings to install the flex fuel sensor make it easy. Today's cars are more capable of running ethanol infused fuels than yesteryear's cars (the components aren't' going melt on you, or at least, it'll take longer). That said if you're looking to stay under 1000rwhp. If you're seeking >1000rwhp, yes, open up those lines and remember you're smallest orifice is your limiter for fuel flow.

In a nutshell, running E85 allows you to run more timing, resulting in more power. You'll consume 33% more fuel compared to 91/93, and your mpg will suffer about 33%. But who cares considering the power gain advantage of E85.