E85 Stroker

[ZPD]

Potentially ignorant question but what is the concern with using an aluminum fuel cell? Aluminum does of some oxidation but it does not rust. Or does ethanol have some sort of chemical reaction that eats through the aluminum. It has been a few years since my Chem 205 class.

 

[BrettM]

if it's higher octane than pump gas, I don't see why it couldn't get better MPG with a setup designed for it...

so who's got the numbers??

 

[SteveT]

Popular Science mag had an article, (either this month, or last month, but recently) about all the alternative fuels, pros and cons, and true cost to manufacture and use in a cross country trip.

In the article, they mention that an engine built for E85 (high compression, etc..) can overcome the lower btu content of the fuel.

Steve

 

[Nevada City Sparky]

In the article, they mention that an engine built for E85 (high compression, etc..) can overcome the lower btu content of the fuel.

Steve

I thought BTUs were BTUs. If they are lower in Ethanol, I don't see how you could get more power, assuming both fuels ran just as efficiently.

Octane don't mean squat when it comes to power in and of itself.

 

[lawsoncl]

Potentially ignorant question but what is the concern with using an aluminum fuel cell? Aluminum does of some oxidation but it does not rust. Or does ethanol have some sort of chemical reaction that eats through the aluminum. It has been a few years since my Chem 205 class.

Go read the wiki article that Dr Dyno posted. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85

 

[lawsoncl]

I thought BTUs were BTUs. If they are lower in Ethanol, I don't see how you could get more power, assuming both fuels ran just as efficiently.

Octane don't mean squat when it comes to power in and of itself.

Octane is independant of btu/gallon, but higher octane lets you run higher engine compression which translating into improved efficiency. Higher octane by itself with no other changes such as timing or compression doesn't have any advantage.

I think the real question isn't about power or mpg though. It's whether can you get better miles/dollar and whether it's worth the initial investment to convert.

 

[MaXJohnson]

... I think the real question isn't about power or mpg though. It's whether can you get better miles/dollar and whether it's worth the initial investment to convert.

amen

cradle to grave cost,

in the real world,

of the backyard mechanic,

building a 4.0 stroker on a budget

 

[92YJ1ton]

Potentially ignorant question but what is the concern with using an aluminum fuel cell? Aluminum does of some oxidation but it does not rust. Or does ethanol have some sort of chemical reaction that eats through the aluminum. It has been a few years since my Chem 205 class.

I found this.
http://www.nmma.org/lib/docs/nmma/gr/environmental/E20_Position_Paper.doc

 

[92YJ1ton]

Popular Science mag had an article, (either this month, or last month, but recently) about all the alternative fuels, pros and cons, and true cost to manufacture and use in a cross country trip.

In the article, they mention that an engine built for E85 (high compression, etc..) can overcome the lower btu content of the fuel.

Steve

Thats the article that got me thinkin about this in the first place.

 

[BrettM]

it may be equal or more expensive now, but if it catches on more it will keep getting cheaper.

 

[92YJ1ton]

it may be equal or more expensive now, but if it catches on more it will keep getting cheaper.

I agree price could come down some if it catches on more.
Also the more it catches on and the more R&D that goes into it the more people will come up with to improve on its performance and efficiency.

Im glad more people are jumping onto this thread. Anything to keep our money in America is great and in my opinion worth a little extra cost.

 

[ZPD]

I found this.
http://www.nmma.org/lib/docs/nmma/gr/environmental/E20_Position_Paper.doc

Ah thanks, that answers my question. I didn't realize that Ethanol is hydroscopic and more conductive than gasoline. That makes more sense now.

 

[92YJ1ton]

I was reading the wikipedia thing and saw this.
"Engines specifically designed for FFVs employ soft nitride coatings on their internal metal parts to provide formic acid wear resistance in the event of water contamination of E85 fuel. Also, the use of lubricant oil (motor oil) containing an acid neutralizer is necessary to prevent the damage of oil-lubricated engine parts in the event of water contamination of fuel. Such lubricant oil is required by at least one manufacturer of FFVs even to this day (Chrysler)."
So I started looking up someone to do the nitride coating. I think I should do it if Im gonna do it right, it cant hurt right? haha. I didnt find anyone to do it yet but I found this.
http://www.advceramics.com/geac/products/bn_coatings/

It just doesnt seem right to me to spray it on yourself. What do you guys think?

 

[92YJ1ton]

http://www.hpcoatings.com/products/corrosion.aspx

Corrosion resistant piston coating.