E85

[Hnrywho]

I'm looking for input on switching over from 110 to E85. I have a 396/375 with 12:1 Compression with stock cast iron heads. I would probably just have Patrick at ProSystems build an E85 carb for my combination. I have an aluminum fuel cell and 1/2 aluminum fuel line. Will this cause any corrosion problems? Also I have been told I will need to upgrade my fuel pump from a Holley blue to a Magnafuel 275 or larger. Any of you guys running E85 and can give me any input on what to look out for or do you think I should stay with 110? Thanks.

[HPDRIFTER]

here's some info to look over:

http://marksullense85.proboards.com/

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showt ... p?t=408992

http://www.raceone85.com/

http://injectorsplus.wordpress.com/2010 ... f-ethanol/



Look around. There's a lot more out there.

[BracketNova]

I have a 396 8:1. I use 1/2" aluminum fuel line, plastic fuel cell, 800 Holley with choke horn removed and I get it done with a Holley black pump. I had Mark Sullens do my carb http://marksullense85carburetors.com/ and I have been very happy with it. After chasing down an ignition timing issue all I had to do with the carb is adjust the idle screws and I believe I had to mess with the secondaries pump cam. I leave off a brake.


Last time out once I got the car dialed in (messing around with the pressure in my new slicks) the car ran a 7.1828, 7.1896, 7.1802

[Hnrywho]

Thanks BracketNova, sounds like it is very consistent. Did you have to move any on the heat range of your plugs or adjust your timing much to get it to run correctly? It looks to be a good low cost alternative to 110. 110 just hit $8.99 a gallon here. I think I'm done with it.

By the way, good looking car and you are definitely getting it done with your 396, my car is not as fast but I'm rowing a 4 speed. My best is 7.39 in the 1/8th. I'm hoping I don't lose much going to E85. Thanks for the info!

[BracketNova]

Yeah, I'm excited to go back to the track in a few weeks. I've lost 20 lbs myself (that's free E.T. :) ) since my 7.15 run and I have also switched to an aluminum center (- 10 lbs.), went from a trac loc to a spool (-10 lbs. and it's rotational ta' boot) and have a generator now so I could ditch the alternator if I need to. I also have another degree or two of timing to put in. I'm so dangerously close to a 6.99. I suppose I could start taking interior out - but what would be the fun in that.

I use the same heat range plug as I did with gas - this is what Mark (Mark Sullen's Carbs) told me to do. He also recommends staying where you were at on timing as well. I played around with heat ranges against his advice but ended up right back where I was on gas. I did the same thing with the timing. The car had a bit of a bog getting up on the converter, he told me it was most likely in my timing. I thought I had 38°, he said it sounded like I didn't and as it turned out I only had 36°. I bumped it up to 38° it almost was gone, disappeared at 40°. With my 8:1 it really likes it's timming. I'm at 42° now and if I recall it ran best at 44° on gas. Never tried 45°, too scared.

My car picked up sligthly with E85, but I was just running premium before. Here's a vid of my best run...

[Hitchcock]

Damn that Nova looks good.

[BracketNova]

Thanks Hitch, painted it myself in the garage :)...but I don't want to be a thread thief

[Hnrywho]

Thanks BracketNova, I really appreciate the info. This will give me a really good starting point. My car seems to like 41 degrees of total timing with the 110, hopefully it won't be too far off.
Really nice car, I'm not sure I'll ever see the times you are running but I can atleast try to improve and I will be able to enjoy things a little more with the price of E85. If I can just stay in the 7.30's and do it at half the cost I'll be happy. Thanks again for all the info. and that's a pretty bad ride you have. I'm with you on the interior, my car is all steel and full interior with the execption of the back seat. I guess there is room to gain a little there but... maybe.

[BracketNova]

I have a fiberglass Hood, lost the inner fenders and all the hinges etc. for the hood. Other than that it's all there, even the back seat. Just barely fits behind the main hoop of the cage :)