I know that it's an ethanol/gasoline blend, but I can't seem to find any decent info on it's performance. I would think it'd burn cooler which is also a good thing, meaning it isn't such an aggressive fuel as standard or premium pump fuel.

Datman141 probably runs this ratio in his race-car so I guess that sorta says something about what I ought to do... drop the compression.

Nick, you could just run a water/methanol injection mixture activated by a Hobbs Switch, especially seeing as you application has only a single induction vesse. Maybe make it kick in at 10psi or so just to keep things smooth. There are heaps of smart little water jets and nozzles available now to use for injection [so don't bother with the washer bottle setup!]. As long as you have a powerful pump and a good nozzle you should be able to achieve good atomization to cool the charge down nicely and stop premature detonation.

11:1 is about the max for pumpgas. I run Avgas (110) in my racecar which is 13:1 CR.

Quote:
Re E85 - this is 85% Ethanol (and therefore 15% gasoline). From articles I've read Ethanol has less energy content than petrol (hence V8 Supercars having to run richer mixtures/burn more fuel/more fuel stops last year).

Cheers FDS.

Turns out I can't even get E85 [which is what I think would work] here in SA. I spoke to someone who works in the petroleum industry and E85 is currently only available [via big-name agents like BP, Shel etc] in VIC and NSW.

Unless I run BP Race Fuel which is rated at 110. I don't think that's very practical though.

The highest ethanol blend available via pump is E10 and maybe E20 here in SA, unless I get ahold of some to mix in myself.

You will be fine with E85, Different retailers mix the ethonol with different unleadeds. Some use 91RON some 98 and some even use racing unleaded. But generally its around 104 RON.. but MON is a better indicator of detonation resistance. I`ll have to look up the MON.

Carb jetting will have to be changed for E85 too.

If you can`t run good fuel you will have to have it with sub optimal timing, you will make less power than if you dropped the comp ratio and run optimal timing. You will need a good tuner either way.


EDIT: I missed your last post about the lack of availability!
Lower the comp with dished pistons? or move to Vic!!!
mmmmmmm, not very helpful i know :(

Thanks a bunch Simon, great you stepped-in as I was about to PM you. Was racking my brain and decided I'd get in touch with you or Dave.

I'd like to hear Dave's opinion on the sustainability of the Ethanol mix fuels.

Would you happen to have any decent information on the fuel, any Data sheets at all? I'm searching the fricken' uni-database but all I get is environmental debates on it's worthiness as a enviro-fuel but nothing solid on it's chemical behaviour.

I am particularly interested in the corrosive risk of the fuel and it's combustive characteristics.

If I move to VIC will you Dyno my beast!??

EDIT: For free?.....I'll bring a carton of West End Draught [also affectionately nick-named 'swamp-piss']

I have a document released for the V8 supercars teams explaining most stuff re E85. Its not a doco i would be comfortable posting but it generally says that nothing has to be changed except for larger injectors and checking pump supply. Tanks, fuel rails, and injectors shouldnt be affected. The V8`s run a much lower compression ratio than what you have and are only using it as a enviromental PR exercise. aAir/fuel ratio recomendations are also listed.

Yeah okay that's fair enough.

It's the corrosive factor I am worried about. But I think things should be okay. I'd also like some info on how it burns and what rate it burns at, as I would expect the consumption to rise considerably.

And then the trick is to find someone who'll work with me?! The mechanic today wouldn't have a bar of me and he was pretty dead set on my ratio's being 'crazy' to start with.

I'll try get a hold of a decent fuel first and jet the thing at home. If I drag it to a rolling road with only some fine-tuning to do it shouldn't be such a major deal for the mechanic.

Probably the cheapest way to lower compression that Ive seen is by using these sparkplug
sleeves that screw onto the spark plug thread and place the plugs higher up in the tube.
Its kind of a pre-combustion chamber. I remember some old wheels magazines and later parts
trader mags advertising them in NSW - they where supposed to increase gas mileage.

If you can get them made by drilling some big bolts in the centre and taper the entry like
a funnel and on the opposite end a thread to place your sparkplug into then you are set.
You can calculate the amount of extra displacement by liquid measuring the amount of
fluid from a syringe that these sleeves take with the plugs screwed on.

Has anyone ever seen these things for sale in NSW or elsewhere via mail order from the old wheels magazines?

Its a type of glow plug similar to these smartplugs.

http://www.smartplugs.com/about.htm


You can always try singh lines :)
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