Didn't see this and I know some of you don't care for E85, but I like it as it being cheaper and an alternative to race gas, just to name a few reasons. The MKT concept, though not pretty from my prospective, still has a nice engine.

Autoblog.com

 

The SAAB 9-4x bumps its power up to 300hp and whatever amount of torque by going straight E-85....and thats a small 2.0l turbocharged motor.

The domestics are on quite the E-85 kick before battery tech comes online.

 

Nice. In my Autoblog post on this engine almost exactly a year ago, I wondered if E85 would be an option for this engine, since it's such a natural fit with forced induced.

Yeah, and then we'll likely see some sort of 180-degree move away from it.

 

I have long thought that Flex fuel vehicles should be of higher compression so that they could take advantage of the 104 octane. Just changing the timing map isn't enough, adding one point of compression can add 2-4% more power. The Corvette and SS line is a no brainer for this, I am surprised they haven't done this yet.

 

I'm not sure making it will end up being as much of a problem as transporting it or storing it in the long run. But making it is certainly a problem right now, too. Switch grass and Johnson grass are supposedly promising for a source, though.

 

I've been saying that turbocharging was the only way to make E85 appealing for quite some time.

 

Explain to me, then, how they're supposed to operate on gasoline.

 

That's why you turbocharge instead, with a computerized boost controller that can detect the fuel type and back off the boost when you're using gas.

 

10.5 to 1 compression, direct injection and 10 lbs of boost is how you make up for the 27% loss of MPG in Flex fuel vehicles. Flex fuel is too much of a compromise. I think the OEMs will figure it out.

TURBOS FOR THE MASSES!!!

As for production, plants are popping up everywhere, it is MUCH more viable than hydrogen pumps on every street corner. I personally think biodiesel is the better fuel. But Americans change cars an average of every three years and most aren't willing to pay the premium for diesel power.

 

We both responded at the same eric, its simple, if you cant run E85, fill up with premium and pull the timing and or boost. Thats what Flex fuel does now, except it adds timing when it senses E85.

 

Trying to pull the timing on an engine with too much compression ratio for the available fuel is not the path towards an efficient and durable engine.

Turbocharging is a completely different story, of course - but the way I read your post, you were looking for more CR on a naturally-aspirated engine.

FWIW, if I could find E85 locally, I'd love to run it through my high-compression (11.7:1) 396 and see how it does.

 

I have not seen much in the Detroit area either. I do see it here in STL, and alot of Illinois, Ind, and Ohio. There are dozens of plants being built, one of them is two miles from my airport. One of my co-workers is part owner of a farm. Crop prices have tripled recently and the American farmer is benefited instead of OPEC. Food prices will go up until more acres are planted and supply is increased. Total acreage planted last year was up 7%. Nothing but good can come of this. I'm not a big fan of Dubya but this might be the best thing he did.

As for the E85, I think of it NA and boosted. When thinking of the corvette, its 10.7 to 1, why not be able to fill up with E85 instead of premium and instead of 430 hp, have 445-450 hp? The Flex fuel cars are 9.8 to 1. Its a total waste of octane. That is part of the 27% loss. Higher CR wont make up for all the lower BTU but it could make it more cost effective. They need direct injection, higher compression ratios and "sometimes" turbos for E85 to make sense. Turbos also degrade cost effectiveness. But they are cool as he!!.

 

And that is the problem. Nobody know where to find the stuff and even if it is available locally it's usually only at one or two stations. I think the last I checked there are SEVEN public gas station in all of Dallas that offer E85 fuel. And I mean that as in Dallas Fort Worth and most of the surrounding communities.

 

I should consider myself lucky living in MN, we have several dozen stations. Being in the cornbelt has it's advantages I guess. I think turbo's will make a strong comeback in the search for economy and power, especially with E85.

I'm converting my '69 Firebird to E85 so I can run cheap pump gas at 11:1 compression without resorting to race fuel. Some tests show straight pump E85 putting out more power and at a minimum, equal power, as custom blend race fuel at $6/gallon.

So if you ask me, it's far from 'useless'. If nothing else, it's already become a viable niche fuel for racing applications. Indy has switched to E100. It won't be long before most performance applications convert.

 

Huge advances in production efficiency and variety of feedstock are taking place on a nearly daily basis. Ethanol is fast becoming not only viable, but superior to gasoline.

I welcome these developments wholeheartedly.

I do hope that Hydrogen and bio-diesel for ICEs continue their rapid pace of development as well.

I can't wait to see oil drop to a much lower percentage in the market.