Ethanol
Ethanol
(OP)
Wichita just opened it's second E85 (85% ethanol) gas pump. I have written to GM, without a definitive answer. Can I burn E85 in a 1994 Suburban with the TBI 350 motor?
I don't really see where that would be an issue, but I don't specialize in Internal Combustion either.
I don't really see where that would be an issue, but I don't specialize in Internal Combustion either.





RE: Ethanol
I'm also an ethanol fan, hard to get here for experimenting. Testing the parallel fuel system approach. Have to use stove fuel, Everclear or racing methanol for tests.
RE: Ethanol
The problem lies in the fact that E85 has a different stoichiometric ratio than gasoline. Straight ethanol's air/fuel ratio is approximately 9.0:1, while gasoline is 14.7:1. E85 yields a stoichiometric roughly equivalent to 10:1. What this amounts to is that your current fuel system is not capable of delivering E85 in sufficient enough quantities.
Running your engine on E85 would render a very lean burn condition, which could result in engine damaging detonation. If you're serious about running E85 you will need new fuel injectors and possibly ECU recalibration. Also, if you expect to have the same range on a tank full of fuel, you will need to increase you fuel tank capacity by about 1.5.
Good Luck
Bryan Carter
RE: Ethanol
Since E-85 is not available here in Texas, if it were mine, I would be scrounging for a less expensive alternative fuel pump. Even if it were an inline pump with custom fabricated lines, it would be vastly less expensive.
Franz