Hi, I'm converting to E85 next week, so I guess I should have thought of this sooner, but I'm wondering if most people here are running in-car e-content sensors, using a handheld, doing the 'poor-mans' ethanol content test, or just taking the station's word.

Also, I'm in Milwaukee, so I'm guessing that we'll be switching to E70 in a few months. Since it's a long wait to get into my tuner, would it be possible to replicate E70 by mixing 10 parts E85 with 1.5 parts 87 octane, and have him make me a second map now.

What if I just wanted to order drums of E85 to get me through the winter? Would water ingress or cold starting be more of an issue?

Lastly, what is the most effective way to empty my tank of gasoline to ensure my E85 really is E85? Should I just do the gasoline tune, then mix in E85 to make E70 and create that map, and then burn that off and fill it back up for the E85 map?

Thank you very much, you guys have been a huge help in getting this project off the ground.

-Ryan

 

I'm running an Ethanol Content Analyzer. There was an issue recently in Norcal where the E85 pumps were tested by the State of CA to be at 50% ethanol.... I like to know what's going in my tank..

You should mix 91 octane instead of 87 octane...Or whatever the "premium" gas you have available.

Drain as much gas out of the tank by placing a rubber hose on the fuel return line and dump existing gas into an empty canister. Fillup on E85 and count how much gas you added. If you feel you didn't add enough "e85, drive until the tank is near empty and do the same process again and you should get pretty darn close to full "E85".

 

OK thanks, but I can't really drive it until it's tuned, so that's why I want to get it right the first time if possible. I'll try disconnecting the return line. Do you turn the key to 'on' to run the pump?

 

Run a hose from the return line into a can, or into your buddy's gas tank. Start the car, let it run; you can pump out a half tank of gas pretty quickly.

You do not need the e-content sensor, but it sure would be nice.

However, I do think that it is essential to have at least one of the following: CEL knock light mod, e-content sensor, or wideband. My choice is the knock light.

 

What's a CEL knock light mod? How is it done?

 

Head over to the ECUflash forum, theres plenty of info on that mod over there.

 

lets not forget egt as one might think it is possible to run lean and maybe not knock not trying to Start anything but rather add to discussion

 

Thanks, the knock light isn't available yet for the Evo X, so I guess I'll resort to the other two methods.