E85 SI conversion?

[icewildabeast]

I was wondering if it's possible to make modifications to the SI (2007 fa5) to make it be able to use E85.

"Why the hell would you do that?" you ask?
Octane level. E85 is muuuuch less prone to detonation. For boosting conditions, (with tune of course) it might be something I'd like to try. Not to mention race fuel is expensive as hell.

I know that the fuel lines need to be stainless braided, anything else?

[08sifa5]

you might also want to look into maybe needing to up your fuel pressure and possibly get a different fuel pump. I have a friend thats road racing an integra with a k20 swap running e85 and he seems pretty happy with it. His temps on track went down about 10 degrees fahrenheit and he made a few more horsepower on the dyno. He did say he had to richen up his map quite a bit but could put some more timing in.

[cambodianricer]

some cars like the mercedes can handle both E85 and gas.

[volvo9]

It's possible, here's a general idea of what needs to be done.

If the fuel system (tank, rubber seals, etc) does not need to be replaced a basic rule of thumb is that you will need to replace your injectors with ones that can deliver about 30% more fuel to the engine than what it would need running gasoline.

If you wanted to make the car a flex fuel and be able to run both E85 and gasoline (E10 in most areas) you would need a fuel computer that could store 2 tunes you could switch back and forth from, or keep a laptop with you to upload a new tune after refueling wiht a different fuel. The target AFR with gas is around 14.1 and with E85 it's around 9.X.

You're lucky that you have E85 available, I can run it in my car but there's only one filling station in my state, about 35 miles from me. Next time I am in the area I'll fill up for the hell of it.

[ryker]

a bigger fuel tank since the e85 gets worse MPG. Larger fuel injector and possible a fuel regulator to handle the increased volume.

[civicracer32]

E85 is 106 octane supposedly. If you get an AFPR (adjustable fuel pressure regulator) and dial up the fuel pressure by 20%, you can run E85. But your fuel economy will suffer by 20% also. Not bad as long as E85 is 20% or less $$$. Don't waste your time though with E85. I thought about for my turbo Eclipse when I had it because of it's high octane properties, but that's about it. If you do do it, be sure to let us all know in the future in case gas goes through the roof!

[cambodianricer]

isn't there a E85 station in san diego???

[Mitch]

Specific Energies:
Gasoline:47,300 kJ/kg
E85: 32,340 kJ/kg
Ethanol: 29,700 kJ/kg

So E85 has 31% less energy per kilogram than tradition gasoline. Food for thought.

[hawjdude]

to run E85, you'd need some type of tune system (hondata kpro, aem ems, etc.) that would allow you run this type of fuel. car would need to be tuned for this fuel. then, as with what others have contributed, you'd need larger injectors and possibly higher flowing fuel pump. im a huge fan of this method but unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to run this fuel w/o a tune system.

[acb384]

there are kits out there for this. its about $1k though. it has to adjust the AF ratio on the fly becuase you may mix the two...have a half a tank of gas and then top off with E85.
I think mostly it involves a computer module and some new injectors. if its a newer car the pump, lines and seals can all stay.

[Rock81953]

Civics can be converted to run on E85 with approved kits check out change2e85.com, i converted my 2008 Civic Si with 100 miles on the odometer and have never had any problems and yes it is still stock did not change the MAP thats what the kit does for you automatically

[RageOn]

Originally Posted by ryker

a bigger fuel tank since the e85 gets worse MPG. Larger fuel injector and possible a fuel regulator to handle the increased volume.

I can tell a difference when i run gas that's 10% ethanol. I get a drop in gas mileage.....about 3-4miles per gallon.
Are there any plans in the work to remedy this issue? Does the ECU need to be adjusted?

[w00t692]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Specific Energies:
Gasoline:47,300 kJ/kg
E85: 32,340 kJ/kg
Ethanol: 29,700 kJ/kg

So E85 has 31% less energy per kilogram than tradition gasoline. Food for thought.

And to think nitromethane would be around 105-110,000 kJ/kg by comparison

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by w00t692

And to think nitromethane would be around 105-110,000 kJ/kg by comparison

Actually, nitromethane only has about http: 11.3 MJ/kg (11,300 kj/kg). Nitromethane is such a great fuel because it takes ~12% of the amount of air it takes to burn gasoline to burn a similar amount of nitromethane. This means you have more room for fuel in the cylinder (wiki says ~8.7 times), giving twice as much power per stroke as with a similar amount of gasoline. But again, you're burning almost nine times as much fuel.

[Rock81953]

Does the ECU need to be adjusted?[/quote]

i say again, by installing the kit (which has a chip to override the fuel injection system) you dont need to adjust anything on the ecu your over thinking it

[Zeuceone]

you have any pics?