E-85 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1SS · 10-01-2011, 11:49 PM

I'm thinking about building an E-85 engine for my 72 K10, but I only have one station in my area that sells it and it is 25 miles away from my house. However, I drive right by that station everyday when I am going to and from work. The average cost of E-85 is about 3.13 a gallon, and premium gas is about 3.60 a gallon. I am rebuilding a 4 bolt 350 either way and plan on puting an edelbrock fuel injustion system on it. The 2 drawbacks that I see is that the only station by me is almost 30 miles form my house, and I have to run atleast 11.0:1 compression which means if I might have problems with detination if I ever have to use regular gasoline for what ever reason. Some of the benifits is the added horsepower and fuel economy of running 112 octane fuel and haveing such high compression. What do you all think, is it worth the trouble or not?

**Stocker** · 10-02-2011, 10:31 AM

Let's get this out of the: I don't know.

For me, it would not be worth the effort. But if you want the extra HP that comes with higher compression & higher octane, it might be worth it to you.

It's worth noting, however, that fuel economy suffers with E85..... your mileage will decrease, not increase. Kinda wipes out you cost per gallon savings, leaving the real benefits of increased performance and cooler engine temps.

Dunenutt · 10-02-2011, 10:48 AM

Ethanol has less BTU'S in it, so you burn more. It will cost the same, or more per mile.

1SS · 10-02-2011, 06:18 PM

Wow, I did not know that. I guess I wont be building my engine that way then. Thanks for the info.

Your41Plague12 · 10-03-2011, 02:57 PM

Agreed, the more Octane the fuel has, the more energy it puts out when it is burned. If you have a high compression engine running on high octane fuel, you will have more power for the amount of fuel you use, which should improve efficiency. This works on paper, but in the real world, efficiency will be close whether running higher octane fuel or normal. I would stay away from E85 though, it does terrible things to older engines.

1SS · 10-14-2011, 12:15 AM

How well do the new style LS engines fit in these trucks?

puller · 10-14-2011, 03:14 PM

E85 also does not have a very good shelf life. If you leave your truck sit for a month it will go bad. Ever consider cummins 5.9 swap? would be an easer swap than ls motor and be better on fuel and can make lots of hp with upgrades. I am considering that for my next build. should finsh the build I have first LOL!

rayfinseats · 10-17-2011, 12:08 AM

No. Even if it's cheaper alcohol run SUPER RICH so you'll burn more fuel (and have more power.) I have a friend that runs a (probably 90 second) car on E85. If you run out of gas you're screwed for availability. We used to run a 5HP jr dragster on Methanol and we used a 1/4 - half gallon in an 8th mile. We also would get frost on the intake in 90 degree weather...

1SS · 10-29-2011, 06:13 PM

Puller,
I have considered a 5.9L swap. All of my friends have Cummings powered dodges, They can make some real good power and the fuel economy only goes up with performance mods. I'm just not a big fan of the initial costs. I can't even find an old crappy worn out 1st gen 5.9 for under a grand where I live. I haven't been able to find one on craigs list or ebay either. Any suggestions?

1SS · 10-29-2011, 06:20 PM

Oh, one more question, what transmission do most people use when they convert to a Cummins?

10-01-2011, 11:49 PM	#1
1SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chesapeake Va Posts: 12	E-85 I'm thinking about building an E-85 engine for my 72 K10, but I only have one station in my area that sells it and it is 25 miles away from my house. However, I drive right by that station everyday when I am going to and from work. The average cost of E-85 is about 3.13 a gallon, and premium gas is about 3.60 a gallon. I am rebuilding a 4 bolt 350 either way and plan on puting an edelbrock fuel injustion system on it. The 2 drawbacks that I see is that the only station by me is almost 30 miles form my house, and I have to run atleast 11.0:1 compression which means if I might have problems with detination if I ever have to use regular gasoline for what ever reason. Some of the benifits is the added horsepower and fuel economy of running 112 octane fuel and haveing such high compression. What do you all think, is it worth the trouble or not?

10-02-2011, 10:31 AM	#2
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,537	Re: E-85 Let's get this out of the: I don't know. For me, it would not be worth the effort. But if you want the extra HP that comes with higher compression & higher octane, it might be worth it to you. It's worth noting, however, that fuel economy suffers with E85..... your mileage will decrease, not increase. Kinda wipes out you cost per gallon savings, leaving the real benefits of increased performance and cooler engine temps. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

10-02-2011, 10:48 AM	#3
Dunenutt Newbee Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 1,406	Re: E-85 Ethanol has less BTU'S in it, so you burn more. It will cost the same, or more per mile. __________________ My Build, http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...58#post4464158

10-02-2011, 06:18 PM	#4
1SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chesapeake Va Posts: 12	Re: E-85 Wow, I did not know that. I guess I wont be building my engine that way then. Thanks for the info.

10-03-2011, 02:57 PM	#5
Your41Plague12 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,009	Re: E-85 Agreed, the more Octane the fuel has, the more energy it puts out when it is burned. If you have a high compression engine running on high octane fuel, you will have more power for the amount of fuel you use, which should improve efficiency. This works on paper, but in the real world, efficiency will be close whether running higher octane fuel or normal. I would stay away from E85 though, it does terrible things to older engines. __________________ Steve Member of the Foot Pedal Club '83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL, Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws, 350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400

10-14-2011, 12:15 AM	#6
1SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chesapeake Va Posts: 12	Re: E-85 How well do the new style LS engines fit in these trucks?

10-14-2011, 03:14 PM	#7
puller Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Manitowoc WI Posts: 67	Re: E-85 E85 also does not have a very good shelf life. If you leave your truck sit for a month it will go bad. Ever consider cummins 5.9 swap? would be an easer swap than ls motor and be better on fuel and can make lots of hp with upgrades. I am considering that for my next build. should finsh the build I have first LOL!

10-17-2011, 12:08 AM	#8
rayfinseats Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: sioux city, iowa Posts: 619	Re: E-85 No. Even if it's cheaper alcohol run SUPER RICH so you'll burn more fuel (and have more power.) I have a friend that runs a (probably 90 second) car on E85. If you run out of gas you're screwed for availability. We used to run a 5HP jr dragster on Methanol and we used a 1/4 - half gallon in an 8th mile. We also would get frost on the intake in 90 degree weather... Last edited by rayfinseats; 10-17-2011 at 12:13 AM.

10-29-2011, 06:13 PM	#9
1SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chesapeake Va Posts: 12	Re: E-85 Puller, I have considered a 5.9L swap. All of my friends have Cummings powered dodges, They can make some real good power and the fuel economy only goes up with performance mods. I'm just not a big fan of the initial costs. I can't even find an old crappy worn out 1st gen 5.9 for under a grand where I live. I haven't been able to find one on craigs list or ebay either. Any suggestions? Last edited by 1SS; 10-29-2011 at 06:18 PM. Reason: need to add a question

10-29-2011, 06:20 PM	#10
1SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chesapeake Va Posts: 12	Re: E-85 Oh, one more question, what transmission do most people use when they convert to a Cummins?



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