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Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:35 pm
by Ls7camaro
Guys, just wanted to weigh the advantages of which would be the best for the upcoming year.

For me, I do drive a bit on the street, I was leaning towards the E85, but for the mileage (about 150 a year) is it worth it to convert the carb over to save a 1.50 a gallon? Then, can you run Nitrous on E85? To convert the carb. what is needed? I am assuming new metering plates and E85 specialized jets? or alcohol jets? Timing and so on?

The engine is a 454 standard bore with TRW LS6+ replacement pistons, a Comp LS6+ cam, proform 850 main body/baseplate, Victor intake, GM 990 heads and 2" primary headers (hedman), the car last year ran 11.80, with no real tuning.

Straight alcohol? I would think the E85 would be better?

For the price, is it better just getting some Cam 2, and mixing a 50/50 mix with 93 unleaded? Can I run just Sunoco 94?

Open to any suggestions. Just trying to keep the hobby going even with the gas this high this year.

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:54 pm
by John_Heard
Unless you do your own conversion, it's probably not going to pay for the switch for fuel savings. I think they get like $800 to switch them over but I may be way off on that $.

You can run Nitrous on E85 ..

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:14 pm
by Ls7camaro
I think the compression is about 10 to 1, GM 990 heads with the 119 chambers. There is no porting or anything done. I may try to clean the casting flash and just smooth the runners out. The block is not decked. Its a 4 bolt, HI PERF block with the 1054 crank and dimple rods.

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:28 am
by John_Heard
With that low compression, it's not going to require super high octane to work with. I would bet with the timing set right you could drive it on pump gas, and run it on 110 octane / turbo blue low cost race fuel if you want to spray it a little if you don't get too carried away.

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:05 pm
by BracketNova
I ran mine in E85 just changing the metering blocks to the Quick Fuel ones and jetting up 10%, but i wouldn't reccomend it...it idled horribly. I had Mark Sullens do a full conversion and I am happy with it. My car picked up a little bit and it runs/ idles just as it did on gas. When you convert to E85, everything in your carb needs to flow 10% more fuel. I believe my conversion was just over $200, but I already had different metering blocks. He did re work them some though. http://marksullense85carburetors.com/


Also, If you switch to E85 or alcohol your entire fuel system needs to be compatible with Alcohol. Basically no rubber as it will break down.

I have 8:1 compression.

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:12 am
by wheels
I run 91 in my small block Nova, best of 11.17@122 on that fuel. It is around 10:1 as well and as a matter of fact the car picked up going down from 93. Too much octane is a killer. Now on the NOS front...not sure.

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:27 am
by John_Heard
$200 is pretty reasonable for the conversion - not sure where I got $800 at? and yes you can spray it on E85. If you've got a good source for the fuel that might be a good way to go.

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:28 am
by 71 chevy
bracketnova, how much did you pick up?

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:56 pm
by BracketNova
Let me do some digging...I'm in the process of moving so I may have to use other means than my log books to check :roll:

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:59 pm
by BracketNova
So going back through my posts...37 pages back...here on DS, I can say this: When I switched to E85 by just swaping metering blocks my car became alot more consistent but didn't really pick up any. After Mark went through my carb (and I listened to his tuning advice - instead of thinking I knew more than him) it picked up a solid .06 in the 1/8 mile, maybe even .08.


Here's a link I posted in '09 :o Has some jetting for N20 and E85.
http://www.nitrousexpress.com/Instructi ... etting.pdf

Re: Gas vs Race Gas vs E85 vs Alcohol

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:02 am
by 71 chevy
very nice. 0.06 in the eigth is pretty stout and about what i expected.