I'm getting an MHI turbo installed in early June. Ideally I could get it tuned on E85 to really have this thing scream. However, my concern is the variious blends of E85 that are dispensed as the seasons changed - E85 to E70, etc.

I've searched for info on people running flex fuel systems on the Evo X and can't find much and nothing that has been done long term. It appears as though a combination of a few things is needed:

1 - A flex fuel sensor to determine % ethanol real time. This seems to be rather straightforward and Haltech offers such a device. Does a factory GM flex fuel sensor perform the same function? What is the optimal option?

2 - ECU capability to take the output of the sensor and manipulate tuning parameters accordingly. Here too it appears as though a standalone ECU for Haltech/other has this capability. I've also seen threads on various 'patches' that can be done to create this capability. Most optimal solution?

3 - A tuner who can implement 1 & 2. My understanding here is that a tune is performed at a low ethanol % (i.e. pump 93) and then a high ethanol % (i.e. E85) and the ECU and sensor then work in harmony with these initial tuning parameters.

Once those are done you have freedom to drop in various % of ethanol and the tune adjusts and you're off. By optimal I mean most tested and safe. I don't mind spending $1k+ on an ECU if it is more 'robust' and backed by a company over a software patch that has downloaded off of a forum - no discredit to anyone, just my preference. If at the end of the day I can save $ on an option that has identical performance to a more expensive solution, I'm game.

At the end of the day I'm looking for security that if I'm pumping a new seasonal blend, or if mistakes were made at the station on putting the wrong fuel in the wrong tank (I've heard this happens) that I won't be completely hosed.

Anyone in the area running a flex fuel setup?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

Anyone? Buehler, Buehler? Anyone?

 

Does anyone in the midwest use E85? Flex fuel or not?

 

I use it and have been tuned by Boostin Performance. I personally used it all year around in Chicago and the car was driven quite a bit (40K in two years, 20K+ on E85)....car is now retired so I can't say I ran it this last winter, but did for 20K + and two winters. However I do have a pump gas map that I used that was switched via open source. But now that Tephra V2 is out for the 2011+ you could now switch much easier. I never looked into a flex fuel sensor setup, but it does sound doable these days...I don't know anyone doing it. My answer is run E85 all year and call it a day!

 

Did you have any issues with the seasonal changes in blends - ie E70 in the winter?

 

No problems other than it may have taken two tries once in a while to start on a very cold day. Below zero....I didn't beat the crap out of the car though in extreme cold.