Fun with Ethanol, E20 and E30
I always like trying new things and experimenting with cars and engines. I switched the 88 2.3 turbo mustang to run on E85 by simply installing larger injectors (30% increase is needed) and it made GREAT power after tuning for the extra octane. But this is my toy and if it has problems, I've got the 97GT daily driver. As it turned out, I was making too much extra power and cracked the block, but I knew it could have core shift problems when I built the engine last summer.
I've run E10 in the 97GT plenty of times in the past, with no difference from regular gasoline. I found absolutely no difference in mileage, and in fact, my new recent best times on the 97GT (see sig) were run with E10 in the tank.
Now, there is a new alternative fuel station near me selling E20, E30 and E85. As you know, the mustang is NOT a flex fuel vehicle and a maximum of 10% is recommended. I've recently read sources that showed nearly all newer cars (say from the last 15-20 years) can actually run E20 with no changes, and nearly all can run E30 with no changes so I thought I'd try it on the 97. I have no concerns but air fuel ratio from the increase in ethanol. The standard gasoline seals from the last 15-20 years can deal with ethanol very well. In fact, even the 15% gasoline in E85 makes it much less corrosive to the seals. I don't think I'd try E98 though.
I'm going to conservatively step up the ratio of ethanol so I notice any driveability problems early. I can always top it off with pure gasoline if it is running too lean. Today, I topped it off with 7.8 gallons of E30, making approximately E15 in the tank. It is running perfect as always.
I even tested the power running ethanol. I'll frequently use my digital camera to record the speedometer during an acceleration run. Then, I can analyze it frame by frame and determine with exact precision how long it took to gain every 5mph, (to 1/30th of a second). The test method: flat level road, calm wind, one pull in each direct) On the first test, I had Quik Trip 87 octane in the tank. I made two 3rd gear pulls, from 25 to 90mph (about 1600-5400rpm with 3.27s). The average of these came to 13.75 seconds. Then, I topped off the tank, creating my E15. This added approximatly 48lbs to the car (6.2 lbs per gallon and 7.8 gallons). I made 2 more identical 3rd gear pulls, recording the speedometer. This time, the Average was 13.95 seconds. This is 1.5% slower, but I added 1.4% to the weight of the car (48lbs/3500lbs). This shows no measurable change of performance while running E15.
I drive at least 400 miles a week, and I get a very consistent 20.0 miles per gallon. I will report my mileage while running the various ratios of ethanol, but I expect very little change.
Now, I'm going to add a gallon of E85 to the tank to give me E20 to start the week. Results to follow.
So why would I want to run E20 or E30? I'm not a tree hugger, as is evident by the offroad H pipe, but ethanol does have much improved emissions. E20 and E30 is also 5-10 cents per gallon cheaper than your common 87 octane, and E20 should have at least 91 octane, and E30 even higher, so performance could certainly be improved by tuning for premium. I also like the idea of not being so depended on oil. While I think corn is nearly the WORST way to get ethanol, I beleive there is great potential for ethanol. I want to prove that and I take interest and fun in the experiments.
I always like trying new things and experimenting with cars and engines. I switched the 88 2.3 turbo mustang to run on E85 by simply installing larger injectors (30% increase is needed) and it made GREAT power after tuning for the extra octane. But this is my toy and if it has problems, I've got the 97GT daily driver. As it turned out, I was making too much extra power and cracked the block, but I knew it could have core shift problems when I built the engine last summer.
I've run E10 in the 97GT plenty of times in the past, with no difference from regular gasoline. I found absolutely no difference in mileage, and in fact, my new recent best times on the 97GT (see sig) were run with E10 in the tank.
Now, there is a new alternative fuel station near me selling E20, E30 and E85. As you know, the mustang is NOT a flex fuel vehicle and a maximum of 10% is recommended. I've recently read sources that showed nearly all newer cars (say from the last 15-20 years) can actually run E20 with no changes, and nearly all can run E30 with no changes so I thought I'd try it on the 97. I have no concerns but air fuel ratio from the increase in ethanol. The standard gasoline seals from the last 15-20 years can deal with ethanol very well. In fact, even the 15% gasoline in E85 makes it much less corrosive to the seals. I don't think I'd try E98 though.
I'm going to conservatively step up the ratio of ethanol so I notice any driveability problems early. I can always top it off with pure gasoline if it is running too lean. Today, I topped it off with 7.8 gallons of E30, making approximately E15 in the tank. It is running perfect as always.
I even tested the power running ethanol. I'll frequently use my digital camera to record the speedometer during an acceleration run. Then, I can analyze it frame by frame and determine with exact precision how long it took to gain every 5mph, (to 1/30th of a second). The test method: flat level road, calm wind, one pull in each direct) On the first test, I had Quik Trip 87 octane in the tank. I made two 3rd gear pulls, from 25 to 90mph (about 1600-5400rpm with 3.27s). The average of these came to 13.75 seconds. Then, I topped off the tank, creating my E15. This added approximatly 48lbs to the car (6.2 lbs per gallon and 7.8 gallons). I made 2 more identical 3rd gear pulls, recording the speedometer. This time, the Average was 13.95 seconds. This is 1.5% slower, but I added 1.4% to the weight of the car (48lbs/3500lbs). This shows no measurable change of performance while running E15.
I drive at least 400 miles a week, and I get a very consistent 20.0 miles per gallon. I will report my mileage while running the various ratios of ethanol, but I expect very little change.
Now, I'm going to add a gallon of E85 to the tank to give me E20 to start the week. Results to follow.
So why would I want to run E20 or E30? I'm not a tree hugger, as is evident by the offroad H pipe, but ethanol does have much improved emissions. E20 and E30 is also 5-10 cents per gallon cheaper than your common 87 octane, and E20 should have at least 91 octane, and E30 even higher, so performance could certainly be improved by tuning for premium. I also like the idea of not being so depended on oil. While I think corn is nearly the WORST way to get ethanol, I beleive there is great potential for ethanol. I want to prove that and I take interest and fun in the experiments.
There are stations selling 10% all over, it's normally sold as a mid-grade fuel with 89-90 octane. There are several stations selling E85, one every 20 miles or so, but this new station is the first one around to sell E20 and E30 mixes. If it wasn't already mixed, I definately wouldn't be playing with it. Unfortunately, I'm moving in a month and the E20 and E30 will be 35 miles away in the wrong direction...
