Hey everyone,

My IX is currently getting fully rebuilt(2.0LR). It currently is running an FP black which I think I will be switching over to a 6466 setup. I’m on the fence about E85 and I am not sure why. My main question is reliability. Is it more reliable to run E85 as opposed to 93 pump gas or vice versa? Is it more recommended to run a flex fuel set up or go strictly E85? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

What are your reservations? It's a great race fuel especially if you want to make big power safely. I'd opt for flex fuel if its feasible for you. Otherwise you would have to tune for dual maps. If you use E85 exclusively its a good idea to schedule injector cleaning and have a good catch can setup. Be mindful of oil dilution and understand it can be difficult to light off in cold climates.

 

Just looking for reliable power and since I have never used E85 I naturally just have some concerns. With flex fuel, is it good practice to run pump gas(93) through it every few fill ups?

 

Yes this is good practice to run 93 every few fill ups.

 

For the 9s, TSComp I think is the only one still offering flexfuel tunes.
If you don't go flexfuel, get a content gauge at least so you can monitor the ethanol % and take it easy if its a bit low.

As for running 93, I run a tank and leave mine sit over the winter full of 91 no ethanol gas but run E85 exclusively in the summer when the car is out.
Like ronaldo said, injector cleaning post-going E85 is a good idea at least once. I have been running E85 in my car for years now and have gotten them cleaned a few times. After the first cleaning, they haven't gunked up again so I am unsure how necessary it is but its cheap peace of mind.

On another note, what are your plans with the car? That black; even with the slightly restrictive MHI housing, will make a ton of power on E85 and will keep the car a lot more fun on the street than a 6466. Depending on your goals, you might be better served to go E85 on the current black; while sizing the injectors and pump for the 6466 so you don't have to buy twice just in case, and seeing how you like it first.

I'd encourage you to think about what you actually plan to use the car for and dig around the dyno forum a bit to get a feel for the level that can be achieved on the black. I know more than 1 person that went to a large turbo like the 6466 and ended up liking the car a lot less after they were done.

 

Hey, thanks for the response! The car is running an AEM V2 currently. I was considering leaving the FP black on it for now and just switching over to E85. Was going to run a double pumper set up from radium as well as their FPR and fuel lines. For injectors, either the FIC 2150 or those new ID2600’s. My goal is probably somewhere around 700 for the street which I could probably do with the FP black. Car will now also have S2’s cams in it along with the rebuild. The car would almost always be on E85, atleast that would be my plan. Any other issues you have run into? I guess my main concern would be the ethanol content and how it can vary.

 

i ran e85 all the time.

just always tested it.

never had any issues.

always kept lucas ethanol treatment in it.

 

awesome. Built engine?

 

To my knowledge the v2 has flex fuel capability right? If that’s the case no need to be concerned as the écu will interpolate and blend the map accordingly. I’m running infinity and my tuner set it up so my boost is determined by the ethanol content but there’s many ways to keep a reliable setup. You will be fine if tuned correctly.

 

Yes sir. I was told by someone that E85 wears down engines quicker and I haven’t stopped researching since lol. This is all refreshing to hear. For the people running straight E85, how do they manage to deal with the inconsistent Ethanol content?

 

For fuel, with a double pumper and wally 255s, you can keep the stock lines and fpr. That's my exact setup and it works quite well.

I realize you say 700hp but that doesn't determine the use case. Is it a drag car? Street? Etc? I think that's where you should start before you decide on a final hp goal. A 700hp Evo for autox wouldn't be a lot of fun lol.

As for the inconsistent content, I forget the number but after a certain % it's basically not helping anymore and is just safety factor. Going flexfuel is the easiest solution but a content analyzer gauge or testing each tank would be a good back up plan.
Do you drive the car year round? Up here in Wisconsin, I only have mine out spring to fall and I honestly haven't seen much difference in content during those months.

 

Hey, thanks for the response! The car will be strictly a fun street car. I won’t be drag racing it. I am not too caught up on numbers. Prior to the engine build, the car was making right at the 500whp mark and it was tons of fun. Anything more will only add to the fun so I’m not stuck on certain numbers. I just want something that is fun and as reliable as I can possibly keep it. I will be doing fluid changes very often on it. I won’t be driving the car year round necessarily but even during the months that I don’t “drive it” I will be starting it daily and at the very least taking it around the neighborhood once.

 

Thanks everyone for all of the input. I called my shop and we are going with flex fuel tune, a Radium double pumper setup with their stainless lines, Radium fuel rail and FPR, FIC 2150 injectors and the STM catch can setup.

 

All the old issues seem to have worked themselves out (storage related, not fuel). It's perfectly fine to run, just keep an eye on your rubber lines. I run pump gas through, every once in a while, to keep it all from drying out. DO NOT make a habit of exposing the fuel system to air. You will end up with crusty white corrosion everywhere. Other than that, it's all good. It keeps intake temps down, resists knock very well, etc. I run it at the track and haven't had any signs of detonation. Good stuff.

 

More positive input! Thanks! I can’t wait for it all to be done and have the car back on the road.