I tried posting this in the off-topic forums, but had no luck. figures huh? a

nyways I'm currently enrolled in a communications class and for our next assignment we have to give a speech on any topic so I thought i'd discuss E85 since it looks like a lot of tuners are playing around with it. I just wanted to ask the evo community their opinion on this fuel option, whether it be positive or negative. Also not just the performance aspects of this fuel, but also its all around effect on things (economy, environmental issues, yadayadayada) I've already got some research down, but i'd like to hear your input as well. Thanks!

Richard

 

Send me $10 and I will do ALL your homework for a week!jk Good question, I have no idea.

 

Definitely a positive.

Do a search plenty of threads on this debate too here.

 

I love E85 and run it all the time. However, as an alternative to traditional gas, it seems to be a scam. But, what a nice gift for the corn farmers in middle America. As a side note on unintended consequences, tortilla prices in Mexico have gone crazy. Last I heard, the government was going to give out food checks just for tortillas.

 

I read an article a few weeks back on E85 in my local newspaper discussing the debate on wether it is truly a better fuel for the environment, and how Bush's push of E85 is against the EPA's suggestions at this point. Some testings have concluded that it increases smog levels by a relatively larger amount than gasoline, but other tests show that it only raises smog levels by 1-2% One extremely good thing about it is that it is a renewable resource, so maybe with a little more refinment it really will be the big replacement of diminishing fossil fuels. I wish i still had that article laying around here so I could give you the exact numbers they stated. Oh, by the way, first post here, hey everyone!

-Juban

 

Definitely do a search. There is a lot of good information on here as well as on nasioc (the subaru forum). Really good results performance wise so far as I have seen just a sig reduction in gas milage.

 

E85 is a nice alternative that makes good power if you have the correct setup. I know of a local guy running 700whp on E85

 

Yea there are a couple really good threads to research, I personally am waiting to see what the rest of the speed shops conclude before getting a tune with it. The octane rating is 105 but i hear you burn about 30% more fuel than normal to make the power. I think it is still up in the air as far as changing out your current fuel lines, some places say to do so and others say that they haven't seen a problem, but you'll just have to wait and see. Here in milwaukee i can get it for $2.06/gallon, which would still be cheaper than 93 even though you do have to burn more fuel.

 

The technical aspects of E85 are easy to discuss. I would suggest looking at the political aspects of it. I saw a news report recently discussing how many farmers are switching to growing more corn instead of other crops, and also how the cost of corn as a feed stock for live stock has doubled, and that puts a huge strain on people who grow livestock. Basically think of paying double for gas and a lot of it!

 

http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/e85q&a.html