I came across this novel concept of bioethanol a while back, realised it was cheaper than petrol (by between 10 & 20%) & wondered what it took to run a normal car on it. After some poking around & some queries on the forum to see had anyone else done it (Who wants to go first, Reducing Knock, Rubber in the car). Turns out the closest thing is an LPG conversion so I figured since this is becoming more widely available in Ireland why not give it a shot?
After an email or two to greenfuels.co.uk, a chat with one or two people in the know here in Ireland & finally your good selves here in the club, I've come to the following...
Conclusions:
1) Since most cars can be converted over to using E85 using an aftermarket piggyback ECU that hooks straight into your injectors like this one, I figure since I've an aftermarket fully tunable ECU (PowerFC) then why not do the same?
2) There was a theory that E85, being more electrically conductive than petrol would arc in my tank across the electrodes of the submerged fuel pump (Walbro in my case) that I might be the victim of a massive explosion. Turns out that this isn't the case as the electrodes are sealed up anyway & if they weren't then the petrol would've been enough to cook me, you & everyone else who owns a 200SX.
3) There was an issue with the rubber hoses/washers/etc along the fuel-line from the tank to the engine being dissolved by the partially-alcohol-based fuel, but it turns out this is solely natural rubbers as opposed to the synthetic ones that have been installed in cars since fuel-injection became as standard so we're good to go here too.
So now that the main worries/issues are out of the way, let's have a look at...
The Positives:
1) E85 is better for the environment () but it also means decatting & going through an MOT/NCT may be possible without having cars retuned specifically for it.
2) It's 104RON....... I don't think I need to go into the benefits of running this kind of fuel but I will anyway:
- You can run higher boost levels without getting knock/detonation meaning you can get more power out of your car.
- It's a cleaner fuel & so your engine runs better
- You engine runs at a slightly lower temperature than it did before (assuming boost is the same) e.g. making you not have to invest in a more cooling radiator if you otherwise had overheating issues.
So basically it's the grade of fuel they run in rally-cars etc.
3) In Ireland anyway, it's cheaper than petrol!I'm not sure about UK prices or availability but by all means someone chip in here if they know more & I'll edit this post accordingly. Check out the Irish prices here.
So you'd be running a fuel that's better for the environment (lol!) better for your engine, & can allow you run more power, & it's cheaper!
Now...
The Drawbacks:
1) It has been said it can increase fuel consumption up to 30% more than with petrol. It's calorific content (I'm told) is less than that of petrol cause ethanol doesn't produce as much energy when burnt as petrol. What I'd say about this is it's down to mapping as to how rich you decide to run your car (assuming you can remap your ECU) and also since you're getting more power gains from it, you're going to use more fuel (but you'll get places quicker!).
2) Ehhh.... I couldn't think of any so I'll draw out #1 there & say you may end up paying a little more in fuel than you did before simply cause the fuel gets chewed up more quickly but the lower price (again, I only know about the Irish scenario) will offset some of that.
3) Availability isn't widespread. So-far Maxol are the only petrol station I know that supply it & they (as yet) don't have many stations around Ireland that have it. They do however have a "phase 2" rollout of more stations around the country coming on-stream in July. I'll ask Muttly for more details cause he found that bit of info.
The Stations:
The current list of Maxol Stations with E85 in Ireland are here.
In the UK:
http://www.saabbiopower.co.uk/default.asp?docId=13115
(Thanks to Topper for those links!)
Also in the UK:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/...gmap/index.cfm
(Thanks to Nicely for that one!
UK:
http://www.arunautogas.co.uk/E85-UK_...g_stations.htm
(Thanks to Ben for this one)
So here's...
The Plan:
On April 18th, my car's getting remapped for E85 & I'll know as of that day whether or not it'll work or not!
- Drive car to have it remapped
- Have the tank near-dry
- Either leave the dregs or pump what's left of the petrol from the tank
- Put in a petrol-can's worth of E85 into the tank
- Put it on the rollers & let the tuner do his thing
- Drive home & pray I don't blow up!
- Fill the tank up to the brim with E85 at my local petrol station. In Dublin, the only one I know of is in Sandymount, along the strand road on the left coming Merrion Gates, opposite the turnoff to go to the East Link Toll Bridge. There is one up the North-side somewhere but I don't know where it is yet. Have a look at Maxol.ie if you're interested & see if you can find the locations of all the stations that suplpy it.
I'll keep this thread updated as the adventure continues so if you're interested, watch this space!
JP
PS. Here's the SXOC's very own E85 Conversion Register!If you've converted, add your name etc to the list!
PPS. Here's links to some of the info I worked off:
http://www.carnet.ie/features195.html
http://www.altfuels.org/backgrnd/altftype/e85.html
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/mot...714926135.html
http://www.maxol.ie/E85/q&a.html
http://www.maxol.ie/wholesale_prices.html
http://www.octane.ie/forum/index.php
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...ferrerid=59211
http://www.ecocar.ie/
http://www.greenfuels.co.uk/
http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/id26.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85_in_standard_engines
http://e85forum.com/about415.html
Originally Posted by Scottie
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Don't think that's a good way to start somehow..! Lol!
