Anyone running E-85 in their FEs? experiences?

[667Litre]

Was having thoughts of trying E85 in the galaxie.   With all this social distancing and being limited with where you can go and what you can do, I’ve been enjoying many extra cold beverages.  Those cold beverages helped me purchase a centrifugal supercharger online. At 11:1, the  current build in the galaxie wasn’t planned for boost, but thought I could still maybe have some fun, if I could get it set up . The galaxie is just a street car, no bracket racing or anything.  I believe the SC provides up to 8lbs of boost or so, which I’d try to adjust lower to 5lbs or so using the MSD boost control box.  I see some “kits”, with a quickfuel 750 blow thru E85, an Aeromotive regulator and fuel pump 11101 , fuel sample tester tube, etc.  I was already re working the fuel lines,  would have to increase those obviously.  I’m sure there’s other things on list to do, but would it work ok on a street vehicle?  I’ve read the a few of the  pros and cons lists online, so I have a general idea of what to look for.  In Wisconsin and E85 is readily available, thought I’d ask.  The vehicle only sees about 4-500 miles a season.   Any thoughts relative to this scenario?  Thanks. 

[Rabidpinto]

I’d run it at 5 lbs you should be good for a street car , I wouldn’t beat on it much. I assume you have a stout bottom end , cross bolt , forged crank ? I run a boss 540 ,14-71 on e85 on the street and m5 at the track . Like you’ve read test test test !!! See how consistent it is per fuel up. Up here in Nd they start switching over to summer blend in april still 2.29 gal at cum and go Very consistent.

[667Litre]

My engine isn’t a super high performance piece,  It’s a stroked 390.  I thought that with the 5lbs for now, it’d be ok, HP numbers wouldn’t be crazy, I’m sure there’s other factors involved to be careful with.  I don’t beat on it too much (honestly) and I don’t drive it that much either . I wasn’t sure how the car would run when just cruising around.  I read about cold/hot start problems, maybe it’s just trial and error.  There’s the option to purchase the E98 pure race fuel online also.  Say the engine with the 5lb boost is 600HP

[thatdarncat]

The subject of E85 has come up a few times here in the past, you might want to try the search, if you haven’t already. Below I put a link to an E85 discussion last fall, although not really specific to your S/C question. Lots of people run E85 on Hot Rod Drag Week ( when it’s in the Midwest ) with boosted vehicles, but like I mentioned last fall, I know they test it each gas station and bring jugs of E98 or straight Ethanol with them to adjust the pump fuel to what they want. You mentioned getting a test kit, so you know the drill. You mentioned only driving it 400-500 miles a season, have you just considered running straight race gas, or mixing in a healthy percentage of race gas instead of E85? It’s more expensive, but you won’t lose the fuel mileage and you skip some of the added parts expense.

Link: http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=7775.0;all

[667Litre]

Thanks for the link, food for thought. 

[Gaugster]

I believe a second keyway is ground into cranks so that the pulley won't sheer the single stock piece off. Unsure if stroker cranks have this provision already and if all SC need this or just high boost applications.

[Falcon67]

With E85 available, you could maybe keep 5 gallons of methanol handy in a sealed container to make adjustments in the pump fuel.  Here I'd have to drive 75 miles to get any.  VP110 or Sunoco 110 would be an option, but I'd advise you buy it by the drum.  Last I asked, Sunoco was $420/drum here. 

[cammerfe]

Be aware that Pump E-85 has fairly wide latitude in the actual percentages. If you're going to run E85 it might be a good idea to keep a barrel of race E-85 available. To my mind, pump E-85 i only to get you home. Otherwise use the race stuff or go to methanol entirely.

KS