Based on this list http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancit...ast_050307.pdf and other information available on the web there would appear to be a potential metallurgical materials problem with the gasoline to E 85 change over. Some Flex Fuel Vehicle manufacturers recommend special oil when using E-85. There are engineering publications stating the upper bore wear is accelerated with E85. Does anyone who has made the change to E85 have reason to believe that the materials changes like valve seats, oils and piston ring materials are not needed on the Evo engine?

 

very good topic, this can bring alot of questions answers, although look around and we are barely starting to scratch the surface on these new technologies even though some of them have been out since the 70's but no one has really taken them to the extereme.

 

Interesting Presentation. Was this presented by GM? If so, I would not call it unbiased. I think an auto manufacturer would always error on the side of extreme caution.

Toyota is saying the same thing about converting a Prius to a PHEV.

 

I've been running E85 for a while now and we just did a compression check with good results.

170-170-170-175

The engine itself hasn't shown any signs of the rings or seals wearing due to the fuel.

 

This is exactly the kind of factual data I'd like to see accumulate in this thread. Do you by chance have compression test data from before going on E85?

I'm actually more concerned about the pieces parts that are immersed in or in constant contact with E85 - fuel pump, fuel hoses, etc. How will those hold up over time - in one year, two years, five years...

 

Unfortunately we didn't do a compression test from before, simply because I wasn't making enough power to really worry about it.

We pulled my single fuel pump back in May and it still looked good. My friend is still running it in his car which is also now on E85. The inside of the fuel tank looked completely clean, from at least what we could see from the top. I'm also on my second set of injectors with E85, which the first ones looked good and were sold. I've never had the fuel lines off of my car, so I can't comment on that.

We've had a few cars around this area on E85 for a while now, and not one has had a fuel related problem. The power in my signature is from the shootout on a moderately safe tune because I didn't want to push the stock motor anymore. It's much easier to build with a good core

 

The issues mentioned in the presentation are long known. The unknown is whether an Evo has ethanol resistant materials. Either someone has to check all the wetted parts, or we just have to just wait and see if anyone experiences any corrosion issues.

 

AMS did a test where they soaked a bunch of fuel related parts in E85 for a few months and didn't see any untoward degradation of the parts.