Well I finally popped my eBay cherry for parts for my toy and assuming the seller isn't a dead-beat I should have an Apexi on it's way to me. I'm hoping to get Ronnie to set my car up and I'm struggling to know whether to go E85 or not. What are the pros and cons? So far I've heard 'Lots more power' but also it sucks through the stuff at an alarming rate (I'm running 525s), that it can be a nightmare in winter refusing to start, that it can be really tricky to get the same octane (and running lean in a boosted motor worries me pistons) what's availability like? If you have done it, would you do it again? What troubles have you had? Thanks for the input. I've tried a few searches here but ended up having to scour the boards for what little info I can find. Munky
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=803341 Geared toward the WRX/STI, but still a bunch of good info. Read the whole thread .
Wow thanks for the link! I got to about page 30 and my eyes turned to sandpaper... Skipped a bit then to the end. As I will be remapping my car it looks good - especially if I can get a 'cold start' or back-up 91 map on the car. I'm running a VF23 so at around 300cfm I need (300 x 1.38) 414 injectors min. Even if you say I get 400cfm my 525 injectors should just about keep up. Looks like I will need a 255 pump to be on the safe side. Thanks for the help - I think I'm going for a cup of tea (some eye drops) and will carry on reading!
E85 on three separate turbo setups. Love it and will continue to run it. I had an issue with cold start at first however this can be tuned out, depending on what tuning software you use. Open source you can tune it out, AP you can tune it out with some model years (everything after 02-03 I believe). Tuning it out simply refers to changing the amount of full being pumped into the cylinder on start up. Since I use a AP on an 02 WRX, I could not tune it out with software. The problem has since been fixed by switching to Perrin fuel rails, much to my surprise. I think what is helping is the much larger diameter (E85 tends to gel up, almost like diesel fuel, in the cold, restricting flow) and the fact that they are rubber lines and not metal (E85 sticks to metals walls in the cold). That's my theory anyway. Regardless: E85 equals more power with safer tunes. My mileage dropped 2mpg than gas, at least on the 16g setup. I haven't checked yet with the new setup. Run E and you will never go back.
Expect a drop in mpg by about 1/3 - mine dropped from 24 mpg to 17-19 mpg when I made the switch. With the proper supporting mods, you may well make some substantial power. My car made 316 awhp at 10psi burning 91, and made 347 awhp at 10psi burning e85. I don't use e85 during the winter due to the cold start issues.
There is a decrease in mileage, but can be controlled by how you drive. If you drive with a lead foot, then yes you'll see a huge drop. If your foot isn't so heavy, then it's not too bad.
