Is E85 worth it on NA LS3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Saffir3 · 04-22-2024, 11:48 AM

I know its not worth it in terms of horse power. But is is worth it in terms of cleaning the engine better, more knock resistance, and running cooler. Im going to build an LS3 with a stage 4 cam, 1-7/8" long tubes, a CAI, ported intake manifold, ported throttle body, 25% underdrive pulley and a full 3" exaust with no cats. Would any of the benefits listed make a diffrence? Are there any other benefits that I havent listed, is it worth it? For my goals? Id appreciate all the help.

hammdo · 04-22-2024, 03:27 PM

Not really, if boosted sure. While clean burning is true, don’t think it’s worth the effort…

-Don

1JEWLDSSRS · 04-22-2024, 04:49 PM

Yeah, from what I've read on here, and the guys I've talked to as well, on a NA'd engine it won't gain you much for the effort and equipment needed to run it. Sure it might be cheaper to buy, and cleaner burning, but you WILL use more of it, and that will offset any money you thought you'd save by not using plain ole 93, or any premium fuel. All my friends running a boosted application use it, with nice gains.

Bluebagger06 · 04-22-2024, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Yeah, from what I've read on here, and the guys I've talked to as well, on a NA'd engine it won't gain you much for the effort and equipment needed to run it. Sure it might be cheaper to buy, and cleaner burning, but you WILL use more of it, and that will offset any money you thought you'd save by not using plain ole 93, or any premium fuel. All my friends running a boosted application use it, with nice gains.

Yeah i was told the same , Maybe 6 or 8 HP ,so i didnt think i would do it but now with HP Tuner and i got a line on some injectors and pump i am thinking i going to just do it. Main reason is now by me 93 is $5 a gallon and E85 is $3.07!I also plan to do something later that E85 will help!

CamaroCracka · 04-23-2024, 06:40 AM

You have to do the cost benefit analysis for yourself. Anyone running boost can see big benefits by running e85. For those not running boost, my rule of thumb would be if the use of race fuel would ever be required. $3/gal e85 beats the hell out of $10/gal (or more) race fuel.

How you do it is also a big determinant of the return. Do you intend to pay 1k for a DSX kit or can you get by with ZL1 pump (or modify yours with a Deatschwerks replacement) and a Continental fuel composition sensor <$100? Are you doing the work, or are you paying someone? If you can do it yourself, including adding the pin to the ECM connector, then the biggest cost is the tune change.

If you have no need for 105 octane fuel, it's probably not worth the effort unless you believe the zombie apocalypse is coming and you will need to make your own liquor, I mean fuel.

CamaroDreams76 · 04-23-2024, 08:44 AM

When my car was heads/cam I did still run E. I had to upgrade injectors to FIC 660s. I also had the DSX flex fuel kit. My car would get 10.5 city driving pretty conservative and 15.5 highway at 80mph.

No idea what pump gas numbers were but with E it made 513whp and 463wtq. The mods were, CAI, PTB, LTH, Ported manifold, M311 heads, FIC 660 injectors, custom grind cam and the DSX flex fuel sensor.

gm2376 · 04-23-2024, 11:53 AM

not at all

olblue75 · 04-24-2024, 01:23 PM

A bump in compression will help as well.

White_widow_SS · 03-19-2026, 03:37 PM

Currently I have
Headers, air intake, exhaust tuned New era 2015 SS Camaro Ls3

I’m thinking in E 85 to add and was wondering if deatschwerks 65 lb would be good with my car and if they were a reliable brand or get 52 lb lsa Bosch ? I would also be running stock pump for a bit till I eventually get zl1 pump. End goal of to stay with this set up.

1JEWLDSSRS · 03-19-2026, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White_widow_SS

Currently I have
Headers, air intake, exhaust tuned New era 2015 SS Camaro Ls3

I’m thinking in E 85 to add and was wondering if deatschwerks 65 lb would be good with my car and if they were a reliable brand or get 52 lb lsa Bosch ? I would also be running stock pump for a bit till I eventually get zl1 pump. End goal of to stay with this set up.

As we all stated above, unless you're installing a SC, don't waste your time and money! It's not worth it. Do a cam swap instead, you'll gain a lot more that way.

White_widow_SS · 03-19-2026, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

As we all stated above, unless you're installing a SC, don't waste your time and money! It's not worth it. Do a cam swap instead, you'll gain a lot more that way.

That’s cool but na I’m looking for which injectors as stated. And ima leave it as is no seed for that. I’m doing e for the price, cooler engine, and the smell

gtstorey · 03-20-2026, 07:32 AM

Bosch injectors can be problematic getting good GM format data. And I don't know what "lsa bosch" injectors even mean. However anything that is truly an LSA injector has a spray pattern that really only works well with the LSA intake. But I don't remember seeing a Bosch injector with that spray pattern.

04-22-2024, 11:48 AM	#1
Saffir3 BBL-BEE Drives: Bright Yellow SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: ABQ / 505 Posts: 40 View My Garage	Is E85 worth it on NA LS3 I know its not worth it in terms of horse power. But is is worth it in terms of cleaning the engine better, more knock resistance, and running cooler. Im going to build an LS3 with a stage 4 cam, 1-7/8" long tubes, a CAI, ported intake manifold, ported throttle body, 25% underdrive pulley and a full 3" exaust with no cats. Would any of the benefits listed make a diffrence? Are there any other benefits that I havent listed, is it worth it? For my goals? Id appreciate all the help. __________________ Nuthin' But Bolt On's: eBay 1-7/8" Long Tube Headers, SLP Blackwing Cold Air Intake, Phastek Race Scoop, 3" Maximizer Exhaust + 3" Muffler Delete In-To 4" Chrome Tips, Taylor "409" 10.4MM Wires. No Thoughts.......Head Empty

04-22-2024, 03:27 PM	#2
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,709 View My Garage	Not really, if boosted sure. While clean burning is true, don’t think it’s worth the effort… -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

04-22-2024, 04:49 PM	#3
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 14,555	Yeah, from what I've read on here, and the guys I've talked to as well, on a NA'd engine it won't gain you much for the effort and equipment needed to run it. Sure it might be cheaper to buy, and cleaner burning, but you WILL use more of it, and that will offset any money you thought you'd save by not using plain ole 93, or any premium fuel. All my friends running a boosted application use it, with nice gains. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

04-23-2024, 06:40 AM	#5
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 3,065	You have to do the cost benefit analysis for yourself. Anyone running boost can see big benefits by running e85. For those not running boost, my rule of thumb would be if the use of race fuel would ever be required. $3/gal e85 beats the hell out of $10/gal (or more) race fuel. How you do it is also a big determinant of the return. Do you intend to pay 1k for a DSX kit or can you get by with ZL1 pump (or modify yours with a Deatschwerks replacement) and a Continental fuel composition sensor <$100? Are you doing the work, or are you paying someone? If you can do it yourself, including adding the pin to the ECM connector, then the biggest cost is the tune change. If you have no need for 105 octane fuel, it's probably not worth the effort unless you believe the zombie apocalypse is coming and you will need to make your own liquor, I mean fuel. __________________ 2010 SS - Kind of an On3 kit, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1 brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. Gen6 ZL1 brakes. Last edited by CamaroCracka; 03-20-2026 at 07:23 AM.

04-23-2024, 08:44 AM	#6
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,580 View My Garage	When my car was heads/cam I did still run E. I had to upgrade injectors to FIC 660s. I also had the DSX flex fuel kit. My car would get 10.5 city driving pretty conservative and 15.5 highway at 80mph. No idea what pump gas numbers were but with E it made 513whp and 463wtq. The mods were, CAI, PTB, LTH, Ported manifold, M311 heads, FIC 660 injectors, custom grind cam and the DSX flex fuel sensor. __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

04-23-2024, 11:53 AM	#7
gm2376 Drives: 2010 Black 2ss Camaro SS Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester Hills, MI Posts: 1,063	not at all __________________ Apex VS-5RS Forged Wheels,Dart 388,ECS Supercharger 2200x, E85 Flex Fuel sensor, Dart 388 , B&M Tranny Cooler, Vigilante 4000 Triple Disc TC,Katech Ported Heads, Texas Speed Sheet Metal Intake, ECS Big Blower Cam,ID 1700s, Fore Triple Pumps, E85,ATI Super Dampner, KW V3 Coilovers, Pfadt front and rear sway bars,Pfadt Trailing arms and toe rods,ZL1 Rear Diff, RPM 6l90e level 10 Tranny, SW Long Tubes no cats,Nick Williams Boosted 103mm TB, Dr Phil Tune,Borla Atak...955rwhp/967rwtq

04-24-2024, 01:23 PM	#8
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,173	A bump in compression will help as well. __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components.

03-19-2026, 03:37 PM	#9
White_widow_SS 2015_white_Wido Drives: 2015 SS Camaro Chevy Join Date: Mar 2026 Location: California Posts: 2	Injector questioning Currently I have Headers, air intake, exhaust tuned New era 2015 SS Camaro Ls3 I’m thinking in E 85 to add and was wondering if deatschwerks 65 lb would be good with my car and if they were a reliable brand or get 52 lb lsa Bosch ? I would also be running stock pump for a bit till I eventually get zl1 pump. End goal of to stay with this set up.

03-20-2026, 07:32 AM	#12
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,480	Bosch injectors can be problematic getting good GM format data. And I don't know what "lsa bosch" injectors even mean. However anything that is truly an LSA injector has a spray pattern that really only works well with the LSA intake. But I don't remember seeing a Bosch injector with that spray pattern.