what do you have to convert to run E85 in a gas engine?

 

This question should be moved to the gas engine section. But it is a very good question. i believe I have heard that it takes special plumbing (stainless steel) and other high cost items.

 

http://www.e85fuel.com/index.php

You need to buy a vehicle that is compatible with E85.

They have been manufacturing E85 vehicles since 1998. They are called flex fuel. You can check the link and it will tell how to identify E85 vehicles.
The biggest issue is finding a E85 pump.
I own a 2000 Chrysler E85 mini van and can not buy E85 fuel in Oregon. Both the State and US government have pumps for their motor pool.

 

Here is a list of stations which have e85 http://www.ethanolmt.org/stationlocation.html

 

Yep. So moved.

 

check the threads in the forum you now are in, the alternative fuels forum, this has been discussed many times.

 

Try this information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85
http://www.answers.com/topic/e85

 

A company in Brazille is making a electronic box that plugs into your fuel injectors and has a switch to run gas of alchohol at any %. A few people here in SD have gotten a hold of this kit and installed it. They say MPG with E85 is very close to straight gas.
I am investigating this for my 99 Ranger with the 2.5L four.
Dan

 

Only 155 stations in the whole USA? No E-85 in CA, NY or TX, the most populated states? Marketing flex-fuel vehicles looks like "feel good" hype to me.

Jim

 

Jim, where are you getting the 155 number ? The ethanol folks, on their website, claim 827 stations now sell E85. Granted out of the total number of filling stations it is still just a drop in the bucket, but it is getting larger all the time. DF, on lunch @ work

 

Try this site for E85 stations:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infr...e/locator.html

I think you have to use IE to make the locator work tho.

 

I used the link posted in this thread by bigredtruckmi.

Jim

 

The box is OK but you have to have enuf excess injector and fuel pump volume to use it. As far as mileage being close, -absolutely not.

 

Torque1st, yes the box is a computer that changes the way the injectors fire. Pulse width and timing I think? Over 50,000 of thease kits are in use in Brazille currently. THe best place for information is on the Brazille web site, they have translated the text to english but the vidieos are not translated.

I question whether this is a better solution than spending the same $ on a custom chip with two programs as I am not sure if the factory computer will adjust timing to go with the increased octane that the E85 provides. This box does nothing to the stock computer, only changes the injectors opperation.
Dan

 

Yes, I know what the box does, it expands pulse width to deliver more fuel. The problem comes from not having enuf additional injector time or fuel pump/system volume to enrich the mixture properly. Some vehicles have a some reserve, others don't. Of course you could always replace the fuel pump and lines with larger units and increase injector size. Going to higher fuel pressure may also help if the pump will take it. Right now my son's Contour fuel pump and wiring is struggling with the demands that a standard fuel map is placing on it. A chip would be a better solution since you could also increase timing advance but again the reserve fuel capacity must be there. You would also need multiple programs to use varying proportions of E85 and gas unless you had two separate tanks for fuel.