Welp i got some E-85 today and im impressed. Truck runs smoother than ever and picks up alot better. This stuff is great! :headbang:

Who the what the? E-85 What? huh?

E-85..

Ethonal (or however you spell it) its 85% Ethanol and 15% gas..

You know those rangers running around with them little leafs on the back, well they can run either or.. Running E-85 gets you less mileage and power but better for the Envirement..

Hmmmm, you mean that little goodmark logo or whatever the hell it is on the tailgate of the 3.0 trucks?

Running E-85 gets you less mileage and power but better for the Envirement..
E85 is better for the environment and it does decrease mileage, but it increases power, because E85 has more oxygen molecules per volume than regular gasoline. It also has a much higher octane rating, something in the range of 100-105 octane.

Hmmmm, you mean that little goodmark logo or whatever the hell it is on the tailgate of the 3.0 trucks?

Yeppers.. the ones with the little leaf.. You'll even notice it on the back of taurus's also..

Its the Eco-leaf or something like that.. Funny thing is that the 4 litres in the explorers have a E-85 option also.. But not in Cali.. Hmmm.. interesting wouldn't you think.. The state that wants to get rid of smog yet they don't sell the E-85 Exploders here..

E85 is better for the environment and it does decrease mileage, but it increases power, because E85 has more oxygen molecules per volume than regular gasoline. It also has a much higher octane rating, something in the range of 100-105 octane.


I wonder why is it called E-85 if it isnt 85 octane? Its 105, I just checked.... I assumed it was 85 octane.

E85 - 85% Ethanol (Corn Oil) and 15% Gasoline

E85 - 85% Ethanol (Corn Oil) and 15% Gasoline


oooooh, that makes sense :)

Haha yeah the E-juice rocks! You do get less mileage with it but my truck runs great on it and it idles so smooth and in 5th gear doing 35mph if i gas it, it will pickup pretty good without any pinging or knocking. Never could do that on 87 lol.

Haha yeah the E-juice rocks! You do get less mileage with it but my truck runs great on it and it idles so smooth and in 5th gear doing 35mph if i gas it, it will pickup pretty good without any pinging or knocking. Never could do that on 87 lol.
I wish I had a FFV 3.0L :( I would love the larger injectors and extra kick in the pants...well, I don't know where I'd find it around here anyway lol!

yeah, i wish my 3.0L Ranger was E85 equipped, but sadly, it is not.

I'm glad I have a FFV 3.0..... now if only there was a station within 100 miles that sold E-85 :banghead:

I am writing a research paper on E85 for English, it's pretty cool stuff.
E85 (Ethanol 85%/Gas 15% to improve cold starts).
1.5% mileage decrease with E10, 10% with E85 (FFV better able to deal with differences).
Over 100 octane and although it produces less BTU's than gas, it can make more HP if the engine has increased compression and better tuning. www.ethanol.org has a map showing where you can buy it. I interviewed the head of the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition and he says we should have E85 here in WA within a year. Can't wait to have a 300HP supercharged corn burner!!

Can't wait to have a 300HP supercharged corn burner!!



:lol:

I used it a couple time but latly gas is about $1.99 now and E-85 (moonshine mix) is still freaking $2.49. That is the stupidest things ever.

I used it a couple time but latly gas is about $1.99 now and E-85 (moonshine mix) is still freaking $2.49. That is the stupidest things ever.


Yeah i called about a week ago and they said it was like $1.97 when gas was still like $2.17 here and i was like ok cool well gas dropped to $1.97 here now and when i drove down and got the ethanol it said it was $2.33 i was like WTF?!?!?! I wasnt thrilled lol.

We're still at $2.629... :(

When E85 comes to Sacnta Clarita Ca. Im trading in my 4 banger Ranger for the 3.0... Or um ah screw it im getting a sohc 4.0 =D

Or maybe just get a 3.0 FFV Ranger and throw a supercharger on it. With 100+ octane rating I could run 14psi boost all day =D. Maybe make 220hp lol

any 4.0 sohc can run on e85???

Yes and no.
Technically only an FFV can, so if you swap parts from an Explorer, you're all set. Otherwise you canjust flash the PCM and go (like I did on the Focus).

i hate E-85, gas mileage SUCKS with that stuff!!!!!!! :)

I've been running E85 since last spring...gas mileage isn't the best but it's tolerable...especially since here its always around $.40 cheaper then gasoline. I've noticed something interesting now thats its gotten cold here(<50) My fuel mileage has gone up. It was always around 14-15mpg using E85 but now I'm getting around 18 mpg. Anyone pay enough attention in chemistry to explain this?

ok so just a sct flash with the e85 mod and you can run e85 and ordinary gasoline on the truck withou swap any part? (like fuel pump or think like that?)

coool to run 100+ octane gaz! :) my future blower will lova that corn! :)

Or maybe just get a 3.0 FFV Ranger and throw a supercharger on it. With 100+ octane rating I could run 14psi boost all day =D. Maybe make 220hp lol


A whipple charger made for the ranger's 3.0 will put it at 235hp strait bolt on running only like 6psi. Good luck finding one though. You will have to build up your motor to run 14psi.

It is pretty easy to explain actually...
Winter blend E85 is 72% Ethanol, 28% gas (E85-3) as opposed to summer blend which is 79% Ethanol and 21% gas (E85-1). Gas contans more energy, mileage goes up and cold starts are easier.

I really need to get a good e85 tune on my car. The car is slow as poo on the corn gas. Lower comp + way too rich, methinks. :(

The exhaust does smell nice, though. lol

I would love to try out E-85 but i live in the sticks. No sign what so ever of a E-85 gas station

They're building two ethanol plants in my town now. Well, it used to be my town. Closest E85 pump was already 30 miles away. Now I'm just hoping they finish those plants this decade. Or next decade would work for me.

what is the difference between the E-85 trucks and non E-85 trucks. i have wanted to try it but the stuff is no where to be found.

The differences vary with the year. Some early units have different injectors, PCM, fuel lines, sensors, and more. The later Rangers just have different programming, from what I've seen so far...

sweet. just to ask does the e-85 truck make more power on gas than the regular trucks

5% - more if tuned specifically for E85

5% - more if tuned specifically for E85


Thats cool. i wish i could find it

My 99 3.0 has the little leaf emblem on the tailgate. Can I run the E85?

yes you can

Thanks, Im going to give it a shot.

I tried the ethanol blend gas before.......it's freaking corn. LOL. My Olds would run like crap and ethanol would leave deposits behind.

Not too sure if this E85 is any better, I just know that unlike the ethanol stuff at a regular gas station, the E85 can't go in just any vehicle.

Thanks, Im going to give it a shot.

check in the gass door. it should say e85 or unleded only if you can run it

check in the gass door. it should say e85 or unleded only if you can run it

Thanks. I need to check that first. just to be sure.

i wish i could use e85 but the only place that has it in my state(florida) is at kendey space center which u need a military id 2 get on and a miltary base which has the same problem so...no e85 for me

There is a white decal on the inside of my gas door. It says Unleaded or Ethanol fuel only.. I guess Im good to run it.

Well I am running some now. I have to say it does run well. Im happy with it.

what would happem if you put it in a ranger that doesnt have the emblem?

The guy who bought my old 91 ranger mixes e85 and regular gas and he has no major problems. Mixed 50-50 he cuts down on fuel costs. Wouldnt recomend it, but for a beater pick up, what the hell.

When I saw the FFV on the Taurus's, I thought it meant Ford Family Vehicle. After I thought about it when GM came out with the FlexFuel. I went oh Duh, Flex Fuel Vehicle. My Ranger is FFV. But I Refuse to buy Ethanol. Its Garbage. and causes more problems than it fixes.

thought you might like this....

http://www.dailytech.com/Report+Ethanol+More+Harmful+Than+Gasoline/article6980.htm

or this....

http://ezinearticles.com/?Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-Ethanol-&id=641466

When I saw the FFV on the Taurus's, I thought it meant Ford Family Vehicle. After I thought about it when GM came out with the FlexFuel. I went oh Duh, Flex Fuel Vehicle. My Ranger is FFV. But I Refuse to buy Ethanol. Its Garbage. and causes more problems than it fixes.

Explain what you mean by it being garbage and causing problems? Hopefully you don't mean with the trucks because if anything they run better on it. On the other hand economy wise (the fact that the price of corn has sky rocketed lately) it'll screw us over in the end unless everyone starts growing corn in their backyard and build moonshine stills in their garages. :naughty:

I used it a couple time but latly gas is about $1.99 now and E-85 (moonshine mix) is still freaking $2.49. That is the stupidest things ever.

Price of E-85 and 10% ethanol mix will very by state...a state like Nebraska or Iowa will obviously subsidize corn based products making them cheaper...most other states I have found see ethanol at a higher price than regular gasoline.

E-85 is $2.99 a gallon and Regular gas is $3.27 :secret: in southern AZ

Yeah i called about a week ago and they said it was like $1.97 when gas was still like $2.17 here and i was like ok cool well gas dropped to $1.97 here now and when i drove down and got the ethanol it said it was $2.33 i was like WTF?!?!?! I wasnt thrilled lol.


Man I wish gas was that cheap here!! We're up around 3.40! and rising everyday!! My 3.0 is Flex Fuel, but there isn't a station for miles.

blairsville, pa hit 3.90 today and they are telling us by end of month to be 4 ****ing dollars

$3.69 for regular unleaded here, and $3.33 for E-85 ><

$3.85 for gas and $3.19 for E85. I actually got 16 MPG on E85. Thats freakin good.

Luckly. You can't get E-85 in Florida...

Previous fill-up, 4 gallons of it was E85.

Today's fill-up, 6 gallons of it was E85. I got 21 MPG on the previous tank. I cannot tell a difference, yet, but I did not think I would at such a small quantity.

yea no e-85 in louisiana....sucks...i would like to save some cents per gallon

58 cents less per gallon, I paid, at a Meijer gas station in Middletown, OH.

Man I wish gas was that cheap here!! We're up around 3.40! and rising everyday!! My 3.0 is Flex Fuel, but there isn't a station for miles.

It was three years ago, man. Don't worry about it, gas prices are still going up :thumbsup:

10 gallons of E85 put into the truck yesterday at $3.409/gal. 7 gallons of 87-octane at $3.859/gal.

The truck continues to run well with no sign of anything clogged.

Ethanol still needs to be close to a dollar cheaper to save anything significant, I stopped buying it because the six mile journey over the river and through the woods to pay $3.40 a gallon wasn't worth it anymore. I need something that gets better then 18-20 mpg... :sad:

So why is the price of E85 so stinking high? It's only 15% gas but follows its price fluctuations; the stations even get subsidies for carrying it.

What am I missing?

Yeah, I'm glad I filled up on corn yesterday because it jumped from 3.15 to 3.69 overnight. Looks like I'll go back to gas now because, like CUTiger said, it has to be a signifigant difference to matter (until today it was .84 a gallon, now its just .30).
And I have same question as popsnicker, why, with grants, etc, is ethanol so close to gas? I know the price of corn has increased (our horse feed went up) but I didn't think it went up that much.:mind-blow

oooooh just got mine today and it is awesome! the 105 octane makes her run real smooth, and im saving the world E85 FTW

Went to read this thread and didn't realize it took me to the first page. I finally realized something was up when they started talking about gas being at $1.97. Thread started in 2005.

^same thing i just saw.

The price of E85 goes up with gas because it's an alternative product. Gas price goes up, so people buy more e85, quantity demanded of e85 increases, price increases. supply and demand 101.

not trying to be a smart ask by the way, i'm just excited because i finally know why it happens, Thank you mr.crotty (my economics teacher) :-)

I just think it's nuts it's gone up so much in such a short time.

Yeah, gas prices (e 85 or not) are unreasonable. But they will only get better if something drastic changes. Even though prices are rising, everyone still buys fuel. If our trucks all the sudden tripled in price we wouldnt still buy them. (ok some of us would haha) The gas companies have no reason to lower prices back to $1.50 like they were at the start of this thread. For every 10% increase in the price of gas, 1% less is bought. In a restaurant, for every 10% increase in the cost of food, 22% less is bought. That's why the government taxes things like gas and cigarettes so heavily, no matter how high the price goes, people still have to buy it.

OPEC doesn't sit down and say, alright tomorrow we're going to rise prices. They sit down and say, 20% of our drilling plants need maintenance, thus restricting the production. Less is produced, so what is produced is more valuable and price goes up. If we allow price to rise to $10 a gallon (it wont but lets say it does) then the only people who would still buy gas are people who desperately need it. Everyone else would find an alternative whether it be walk, ride a bike, or move closer to where they need to go. This would then greatly decrease the quantity demanded, and would give a jolt to the development of alternatives. This will not happen though because the gas companies will produce just the right amount of gas to maximize profits, and we will still pay higher prices.

sorry for the rant. here's some more food for thought. If we stop using gas, which lowers the price, why would we go back to using gas? we've obviously already found an alternative if we've stopped using it enough to bring the price back down.

If 87 octane fuel at e85 (85% Alky) is 105 octane, then what is 87 at e10 levels (10% Alky)?

Shag

Deng I started a revolution with this thread hahaha. Shoot regular gas here is $2.87 a gallon now. Keeps going down a few cents every day. E-85 is somethin like $2.45-$2.50

Three years later, and the only two stations in Washington I knew of that had E85 were in the vicinity of Fort Lewis. :angry: Would've been nice if they'd had a few stations around Seattle.

I interviewed the head of the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition and he says we should have E85 here in WA within a year.

Here in Fargo, 87 is sitting at about $2.05 depending on where you look. I need to start looking around as I know there are several stations that sell E85... I just figured that when gas was near $4/gallon, it didn't make any sense to be putting something in my tank that'd get lower mileage (unless, like someone else mentioned, it was $1+/gallon less.) Next fill-up, E85! Gotta see how it'll run. :D

Just over 14 miles to the gallon with regular gas (non-ethanol.) And since E85 is now more expensive than regular, at least at the stations I saw here, I don't know if I'm inclined to pay more for something that gives me less. :(

If 87 octane fuel at e85 (85% Alky) is 105 octane, then what is 87 at e10 levels (10% Alky)?

Shag

It does not raise it enough to matter if your even getting 10% of ethanol, remember it says it MAY contain at most 10%.

I'm just glad that E85 stays around $.30-.40 less per gallon here. Also its not a total loss you do gain power with E85. :wiggle:

I'm still lookin' for that "power" to be gained from running e85. It sure does smell neat, though. :)

you dont gain power unless your computer is mapped to take advantage of the extra octane... E85 is rougly 110 octane. you can run a LOT more ignition advance safely.

man i wish i could get this stuff around here, i could probably get close to 375whp with the escort...

you dont gain power unless your computer is mapped to take advantage of the extra octane... E85 is rougly 110 octane. you can run a LOT more ignition advance safely.

man i wish i could get this stuff around here, i could probably get close to 375whp with the escort...

Yes, exactly. So then why are people with stock trucks claiming a power gain from running it? Corn fumes getting to their brain?

well if the stock truck is a flex-fuel vehicle they have a fuel sensor which tells the ECU what type of fuel your running. based on that, the ecu can adjust the fueling/timing maps. so theoretically the truck may be able to make a tiny bit more power on E85... but large gains are generally reserved for forced induction applications that can really make use of that higher octane rating.

~9% gain when the fuel injection and timing is mapped correctly. This is at the flywheel though and has nothing to do with the higher octane rating...

it has EVERYTHING to do with the higher octane rating.

ethanol actually has far less energy per volume than gasoline. the computer adjusts the amount of fuel for the E85 (much richer, stoich is something like 10:1 instead of 14.7:1 for gas) and adds a lot more ignition advance (so much that it would ping like crazy on gas).

it has EVERYTHING to do with the higher octane rating.

I missed where you said forced induction, then yeh a higher octane would be useful since you are essentially raising compression and therefore making the engine more likely to detonate/knock. (octane rating is just the fuels resistant to detonation) Now as far as a higher octane rating alone making more power, it ain't gonna happen.

Where the fuel makes more power is because it has an oxygen molecule(C2OH6) and you have to increase the fuel flow rate so you can get more oxygen into the system without actually increasing air intake. So you do actually get a ~9% gain with just running ethanol.

As far as the energy numbers go
Gasoline 122400 BTU/GAL
Ethanol 84224 BTU/GAL
E85 90512 BTU/GAL

And while I got it in my head 9.81:1 A:F ratio.

Well, theoretically, it is 9.8616, but that depends on what "blend" you are running, what fuel they cut it with (octane) and what they added to it.

"Summer" (E85-1) should be 10.2032 (E79)
"Spring/Fall" (E85-2) should be 10.4878 (E74)
"Winter" (E85-3) should be 10.7155 (E70)

These are "clinical" numbers, yours WILL vary based on temperature, pressure, humidity and salinity :lol:

9.81 at WOT is going to cause an eventual meltdown. 6's and 7's are more like it...

your right boss. :hail:

Just had 9.81 stuck in my head because I use that in class for quick calculations a lot even though is not always right in the "field".