I am getting ready to start purchasing everything I need to set up flex fuel in my EVO IX MR. I come from a Civic SI platform where all I needed for flex fuel was a plug-n-play kit, k-tuner for tuning device, and a laptop. The flex fuel for the Evo does not seem as straight forward. I have been reading around the forums the past couple of weeks and just want to ensure I have everything I need to properly set up flex fuel for the car before I get it tuned. Below is the list I have gathered of all the parts I will need along with a link to them (in case this ends up being right, maybe this will help others in the future)

1. Innovate Gauge (
   Amazon
   Amazon
   )
2. Male EFI adapter (x2) (
   Amazon
   Amazon
   )
3. Flow hose 90 degree endswivel (x2) (
   Amazon
   Amazon
   )
4. -6AN Black Nylon hose (5 ft) (https://www.maperformance.com/produc...caApG0EALw_wcB)
5. Tactrix open port 2.0 with flash adapter (https://www.tactrix.com/index.php?op...ed=1&Itemid=53)
6. Tephra Mod for flex fuel on ECU
7. Walbro 450 LPH fuel pump, install kit, and re-wire kit (https://stmtuned.com/products/walbro...12417057128533)
8. FIC 1200 cc High Z Injectors (https://stmtuned.com/products/is126-...ectors-evo-dsm)
9. FIC resistor pack delete plug (https://stmtuned.com/products/fic-ad...-plug-plresbox)

I really only have 2 goals in the short term for making power to the car. I'd like to run the flex fuel setup with a solid tune and hope to get roughly ~400 whp. Then within the next 4-6 months I'd like to upgrade the turbo (along with a few other bolt ons) and shoot for around ~480 - 500 whp. I do not want to exceed 500 on the stock block, so I'll stop there until I can get an engine built (which probably won't be for another 2-3+ years).

Knowing the short term goals for the car within the next 6 months, I just had a few questions regarding the numbered items above:

• Item 7 - Is this going to be enough fuel pump? I see people running double pumpers, but for my short term power goals that seems too much. Is there any inherent advantages/disadvantages for running single pumps? double pumps?
• Item 8 - Are 1200 cc injectors enough knowing the short term power goals? Would it be better to just bump up to 1650 cc (https://stmtuned.com/products/is126-...tors-evo-dsm)?
• Item 9 - Do I need this? STM recommends it, but I notice they tend to 'recommend' some other part each time you're viewing a product listed on their site. I wasn't sure if this would be a necessity to have or just STM trying to up-sell another product?

Here is a quick list of the current mods that came with the car when I purchased her:

1. Buschur Fuel Rail
2. Fuel Lab Fuel Pressure Regulator
3. Injen Intake and Intercooler Piping
4. Hallman Manual Boost Controller
5. Exhaust
6. FMIC

Do I have the right list of parts for the flex fuel? Is there anything I am missing? Anything I don't have listed that would be good to have from reliability/performance stand-point, but not a necessity to run flex fuel? Any of the current mods on the car that could potentially conflict with the listed items, or maybe other parts I would need (adapters, etc.) in order to run flex fuel on my current setup?

Any and all advice along with answers to the questions above would be great and so so so appreciative! If not, I'd still love to have an open dialogue about all of this. I am super interested in learning, just a bit overwhelmed coming to this platform and wrapping my head around everything.

Thanks!

P.S. If you know any great Evo 9 tuners please shoot them to me in a DM! I'm located in North East FL and I'd prefer a dyno tune, but I'm not opposed to an e-tune if the tuner is good and reliable.

 

Alright, I'll try and respond.

First thing first, do you have a rom for the flexfuel on the 9? I know that there is a rom for the 8s but haven't seen one floating around for the 9 specifically that I can think of? I know that was being worked on.

After that, the only thing I'd comment on is the injectors. 1200s are little for E. I personally run the ID 1700x and would suggest something in that range so you don't have to re-buy in the future if/when you go to a larger turbo.
The resistor pack delete is needed if you go to high-Z injectors like the ones you have listed. I would suggest that route so you will need that.

The fuel pump will be enough for a good amount of power. I personally went double pumper so I didn't have to re-wire the pump but thats kind of up to you. If I did it again, I'd probably go with a big single for what its worth.

One thing I just saw too, I'd move from the manual boost controller to a 3-port controlled by the ECU. This will make the flexfuel setup better because the ECU can control the amount of boost and you will want it to be different between the E and 91/93 map.

 

First off, I really appreciate your response. I was starting to give up hope that anyone would respond so I appreciate you taking the time.

I do not know about the ROM file. I’m assuming there has to be one out there because there are lots of people running flex fuel on the 9 that I’ve seen. I haven’t even started to dive in to the ROM files yet. I guess I should focus my research there next.

Thank you for the input on the injectors. Yea I’d rather go bigger to set up for the upgraded turbo in the future, just wasn’t sure if I could go that large yet. But good to know I can. I’ll search around and find some good 1700x. Ok so I’ll purchase the pack delete with the injectors.

good to know about the fuel pump. I don’t mind rewiring because my dad and brother are both basically electricians so I can get the help there if it’s worth it.

oh ok I’ll have to look into the 3 port controller. I know the manual boost controller came with the car, but I never really got a back story on what the plans were ultimately for the car.

So all in all it just sounds like I need to hunt down a ROM file for the IX, pick up some larger injectors, and switch from manual boost to 3 port.

Do you know if it’s also worth upgrading the fuel lines? I’ve heard contradicting things of E85 eating through fuel lines over time and then others saying they’ve never had issues with that.

 

I'd figure out what tuner you want to use, they have ROMs for the cars they tune so they will be able to help there. I haven't actually seen a 9 with a free ROM running flexfuel yet, but I do know there was a thread here where people were working on it.
I personally have a flexfuel 9 but mine is tuned on an older FiTronic setup that TSComp and a few other places used to sell and tune; I am unsure if they still do.

Yea, re-wiring is fine, I was just being lazy and got a killer deal on the double pumper lol.

You can run a GM 3 port with an adapter harness. I got my setup from Spoolin' Up. This will basically be needed to do flexfuel well.

I didn't do lines, I don't think you have to worry about them. Guys have been running E a long time on stock stuff, hell even I have been on E for like 7+ years now.

 

Welcome to the evo world!

It looks like most of your answers are cover.
Just and FYI on the resister pack delete. You will need it for HighZ injectors, as stated. But you could make your own rather easily. All it is, is the OEM pack with all the cables twisted together. So you can use the one currently on the car if you modified it.

I also agree with moving to a 3 port EBC. MBC's are old school. If/when you find a tuner, they most likey would want you to have the EBC.

I've ran E-85 on my evo8 for 6 years with OEM fuel lines and it all been fine.


I've made a few video about topics you are working on that may be helpful.

E-85 gauge install (gauge only, not wired to ECU)

HighZ Fuel Injector Install:

EBC Install:

 

Oooo Paul, you have the innovate gauge? I might need to bug you eventually about capturing the voltage off the gauge output.
I'd like to compare it to the Firtronic setup I have and see if it is the same. It would be nice to have an option if my custom flexfuel hardware ever fails.

Are you just dual map then?

 

Ah interesting so you’re saying I’d probably get the ROM map from the tuner and pay for it as part of the entire tuning service? I thought the tuner would be the last thing I’d have to find, but guess I’ll start searching now.

I’ve heard of the Fitronic setups, but I don’t believe they sell them anymore.

ok good to know. I’ll search for that unless you have a link handy for it. Oh ok that’s what I figured is that I wouldn’t need to upgrade them, but I was like eh if I’m in there maybe it’ll be a good idea. But if everything has been running safely for that long then I won’t bother with it.

 

Thank you! I’m happy to be a part of it.

Ohh Danm they sell a $22 part that’s just twisted up OEM cables? Haha interesting. Good to know!

oh ok yea I want to probably get an in person street tune and then slap her on the dyno and see what I get. Just have to start researching who is out there within my driving distance.

glad to hear about the fuel lines. Sounds like you both haven’t had any issues with them which is great. I’ve also heard of people running straight 91/93 every 3-4 tanks to help keep the lines clean and injectors clean. Can you confirm if this is necessary?

Thank you for linking those vids! I actually stumbled across the first one when I was looking into the innovate gauge. Great job, looking forward to using those on some of my installs!

 

Generally speaking, the tuner has the rom to use. aka you show up and they flash it with the rom they are using to tune. This is a little odd because of the flexfuel on the evo 9.
Yea, they don't exist anymore and the rom they used has never been publicly released.

Here is the link to the thread where guys were trying to get the flexfuel stuff working on a 9. It looks like someone got it working but was still testing it and hasn't posted in a bit from what I see.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ec...n-evo-ecu.html

O yea, I forgot you can just make it yourself. Its pretty easy, my car came with one installed so I didn't have to worry about it.
Yea, I wouldn't worry about lines. The only reason to change them is if you need more fuel which you won't.

So on my setup, I basically run E85 from spring til fall. Then I throw a tank or 2 of 91 in it before storing it for the winter. I have heard similar things about helping keep the injectors good and what not but honestly a good filter setup is probably more important. Ethanol is a cleaner is it will clean the lines and tank from the tarnish of regular gas.

You won't want to let E85 sit for long periods of time unused in the car either. Bc E85 is hydroscopic(attracts water) and the way the ethanol sensors work; they measure gasoline content and subtract to get ethanol content, water in the fuel shows up as ethanol, this could lead to a situation where the sensor says more ethanol is present than there is and it could cause knock and stuff while running.

 

Oh okay interesting. I wasn't aware that was how ethanol was measured, so that's a good thing to keep in mind. I was poking around for some 1700 cc injectors. Looks like I'm essentially down to these two options:
ID1700x Fuel Injectors - https://stmtuned.com/products/id1700...namics-evo-dsm ($1,260)
FIC 1650 cc Fuel Injectors- https://stmtuned.com/products/is126-...ectors-evo-dsm ($877.81)

There's a pretty substantial price difference between the 1700 and 1650. Is there a significant detriment to my setup if I went 1650 over the 1700s?
I also see they have FIC 2150s (https://stmtuned.com/products/is126-...t=974943879177) for around $935, but I'm assuming that would be too much for my setup correct?

I hadn't originally planned on spending this much on injectors so I just want to ensure I get the right ones so I only have to do this once lol

 

Alright so the price difference comes down to materials used basically. The ID X-series stuff is intended for use with alcohol based fuels. I went that route because I was able to trade the set of FIC2150's I had for them basically. And after doing some additional reading, I think they are the best option for an ethanol car but it likely isn't a must have.

That said, I previously ran E on a set of standard FICs without issue as do many others so you are probably fine with either.

As for size, you could run the 2150's, it just means they will run a lower duty cycle. Some people have problems getting them to idle decent on pump gas but for the most tuners have no issues.

One other thing I'd say is that you should find a tuner before buying stuff. The tuner will have a preferred set that they are familiar with and like to tune.

 

Oh okay thank you so much for all the advice. I'm going to call a tuner this week and see what they recommend.

In terms of a tune, the guy's website wants me to list the EMS. Do I need a specific one, or I'm assuming stock will be fine? Dude seems to tune a ton of Evo's, but he lists specific systems they tune:



Will the ID 1700x be able to grow with me and support a build that would be ultimately be in the 700-800 hp range? I don't mind spending the extra money for good injectors, but it'd be nice to know I could keep those same ones throughout the entire build.

 

I don't know what site you are looking at but it might be better to call/email them to verify they do stock ECU evos.

As for injectors supporting your build, I use this calculator as a guide. https://fuelinjectorclinic.com/hp-calculator

It looks like the 1700x will support up to about 635 ish whp on E85. So if you intend to build a 800+ whp car, you should probably go bigger. That said, 625+ whp evos are a handful and I'd seriously consider what you plan to use the car for before heading down that path. To get a small 2 liter to make that kind of power, you will give up a lot of streetability in my opinion. I think the sweet spot for evos is right around 600whp. Thats more than enough to have fun while not scarificing a ton of spool.