I'm at a crossroad in my build. I have no idea what I should do. Here are my options... A) Run the yellow side feeds, get tuned on 92 now. Upgrade injectors later, retune on e85. or B) Run the yellow side feeds, get tuned on e85 now. Upgrade injectors later, retune. I just don't have room in the budget to get bigger injectors, let alone convert to top feeds. Any input as to what you would do is greatly appreciated.
Both options you listed require tuning twice, so I don't really see the dilemma. Just decide if you want E85 now or not and do it.
So, let me get this straight. 3 days ago, you didn't know what headgasket to buy. Now, suddenly, it's "times up, gotta get it tuned and running. No time to wait for injectors!" Stop. Take a deep breath. Do it right the first time and save yourself the hassles and the money.
I know. That's the idea, but I am under a time constrain as the garage is getting redone soon. I think I'll wait it out, and get the bigger injectors. if push comes to shove, I'll run 92 for a while.
E85 will need bigger injectors, so not until then You'll love it and so will your wallet. You may save $.01 or up to $3+. 22-23mpg on e85 and 24-25 on pump gas
Order today, they will be here by middle of next week. Also, you don't need a full size garage to put injectors in. I put a set of pinks in a car parked in the driveway. It isn't major surgery, it's outpatient piddley stuff. Takes about an hour with basic hand tools.
Yep. I'm looking for a good deal on some side feeds big enough. Injectors are easy, I know. But I'm the type of guy that likes to have everything before he starts.
What? I'd hate to see the craptastic setup/tune you're running to get those numbers.... or you did your math wrong. On average E85 yields 30% the fuel economy of pump gas. My averages were something like.... 25/27 pump gas basic stage 2 17/19 mpg when I first swapped to E85 15 mpg prior to my build No idea on the new engine/setup
Are you sure about that? I went from 21-25 pump to about 16mpg on E85. The 2.0 dynod at RS 255hp 271tq.
I stopped worrying about the gas mileage disadvantage years ago. The fact you are essentially buying 105+ for less than premium is a no brainer.
Get the right injectors. Do the gas tune. Drive for awhile. Get bored, get an e85 tune and be happy. Then you can switch back if the need arises.
Good looking out guys! I had to REALLY work to average over 20 on the highway last time I was on e85. Corn isn't for those who worry about fuel economy, that's for sure.
After a few nail biting moments, I always just keep around a half tank in. It means more stops, but at least I don't worry about running out of fuel.
Fuel economy is also not to bad if your driving causally. It gets really bad really fast when you have a heavy foot.
Its not a problem if you plan your trips. There are a ton of software out there that tell you exactly what stations have what. If you think there is going to be a issue with availability then you just bring your laptop and change your map. Problem solved really not a headach at all...
If you sit down and do the math, you are losing by running e85. You need MORE than a 30% cost difference in fuel to start to break even. That means more than $1 per gallon price difference before you start to see the costs balance out. And really, unless you have your foot to the floor all the time, 92 will probably net you a better daily driver. I won't even get into what happens when you start to leave the cities... Russ
Be able to switch maps on the fly. Multiple maps that are setup for whatever you need. I rather not carry a laptop around every. Laptops run off batteries. I wouldn't want to be stuck with a dead laptop. I'm not tuner smart either. I'm capable of plugging in the AP and switching maps and that's as far as I go. Anything else I leave to my tuner.
Maybe I am doing it wrong, but I went 290 miles and filled up 12.48 gallons, which comes to 23mpg, all highway with cruise control set at 60mph 17-18 mixed on e85, 20-21 with pump gas(stock) I don't get on it often, maybe I should of bought the 2.5i instead
Now do that comparison against 105 octane.... I do understand your point though. A year or two ago the cost/mile of E85 was actually the same or less than pump gas, but now that's no longer the case. E85 is a bit more expensive per mile for most people. That doesn't change the fact that it is a much more knock resistant fuel and allows for huge power gains if that is what you're going for. If you compare the price and availability to any fuel that will make the same power as E85, then it becomes a steal. It is a compromise, but it's a much more livable daily driver compromise than any race fuel. It all comes down to deciding what you want from the car. E85 isn't for everyone, but for the people that want the power, it's way more affordable and available than any other option.
Gonna agree with Ben here. Bang for buck its great. Better than using meth or water injection IMO. Sure it might not be for everyone, however after driving my 2.0 on pump and E85 I don't think I could ever go back.
I found it easier to find e85 in rural Wisconsin than a premium gas with octane greater than 91. Just saying.
Thanks xluben, you motivated me to go e85 with your kind words(internet) and to that I want to say, Thank you Saving $1 or 3+ was a total shocker though, I thought I would lose $1 or 3+ To anyone wanting to convert to e85, do it, increase in power, "may" save you $(23mpg) and many more benefits . More e85 stations are popping up(in the metro area at least) 10 stations within 10 miles of my house Road trips, plan/map and just call ahead of time to make sure they still carry it
Stop. Please. You are soooo far off.... unless your tune or something is really that bad... there is no F'in way you're saving money each month. I did the math a few years back when E85 was cheap and gas was a bit higher. Even at that point running E85 was more expensive. That was also when my average MPG was 18... which is very very good for the mods I had at the time. Russ is correct. Going from 93 to E85 was running me $20 to $35 more a month when looking at 20k miles a year. With gas where it is now, I bet it is a lot higher.
I'm going to call BS on this as well. A fuel that gives you 30% less economy and is within .40-.60 cents of a gallon of gas and you're saving money compared to regular gas? Somewhere a math teacher just kicked the stool out from under their feet.
Opensource now has the ability to load 2 maps on the same ecu and change it with a flip of a switch so don't even need the laptop if you don't want to. Not to mention a lot of people now days have their laptops with them 75% of the time anyway...
I think Jason should be a little more specific. The carberry rom has the ability. Currently only for the 2002-2003 wrx 16 bit ecu.
It really all depends on if it's convenient enough for you. For me, there is only 1 pump within a 20 minute drive from my house that sells 110, and it's usually in the range of $8+/gallon. On the other hand, there are 3 gas stations that sell e85 within a 5 mile radius of my house. There are also gaggles of e85 pumps near where I hang out. The big downside I see is that e85 isn't really e85 all year around. I don't have one of those cool ethanol testers but I would think you're only pumping in something around e73 right now.
