Intercooled vs. e85

[hensleya1]

All right, I'm stumped here, so I'd like to see if I can get some more tech-minded people to weigh in. The search bar is more than useless, and it turned up nothing.

A guy suggested I could run e85 and get more power. I told him sure, I probably could if he's spending the $500 for bigger injectors, a pump, and a retune, so the conversation ended there. But it got me thinking.

I've seen a number of threads of people selling their intercooler setups and going for e85 instead (such as this one by Boosted Pontiac, and since I'm referencing him here, I should throw in a bone and say someone should buy his intercooler). To date I'm only immediately aware of one car that ran both e85 and an intercooler... the net result was a 2.8 pulleyed car that had zero knock AFAIK. Last I heard he had bought a machined snout and was going to throw a 2.55 on there.

***

I know both have the same effect of reducing knock, e85 by increasing octane and an intercooler by lowering IAT's, but are they generally mutually exclusive for some reason I'm unaware of?

[91parkave]

E85 isn't just about octane it's the extra fuel added to the mixture that helps cool the combustion chamber, which in turn reduces the likely hood of pre ignition, which helps prevents knock

[hensleya1]

E85 isn't just about octane it's the extra fuel added to the mixture that helps cool the combustion chamber, which in turn reduces the likely hood of pre ignition, which helps prevents knock

But I almost never see an intercooled E85 setup - I'm asking if there's some reason for this? Usually I see either E85 or intercooler, but not both. Like does the formula resist detonation too much and cause spark issues or something else I'm currently unaware of?

Because if not, it appears to me the only thing keeping me from going intercooled and E85 with a tiny pulley is that I'd be stretching drive chains.

[Iceman6669]

Here is what an IC and E85 will get you..

http://youtu.be/o58T-KIArZY



http://youtu.be/4gyLoTOlz4U


http://youtu.be/b0ed0Og1DNo

[SnowTh1ef]

Most people do not run e85 AND an IC because either way kills a ton of knock, however lots of people do. It just like 2 seperate intercoolers. My friend is running a 2.55 pulley on a FSIC and e85 on a gen V with 1.9 rockers in his 2001 GTP. made 330 whp on the stock cam.

[91parkave]

I'd say the E85 is more efficient though due to the intercooler surface area isnth being fully utilized

[gtpsleeper]

I like my IC/E85 setup...

The fact you may have not seen a lot of combos can probably be due to availability of E85. Meaning, if E85 is available, guys just do the conversion because it can net you about the same results but is WAY cheaper/easier than an intercooler install. Same in reverse, E85 isn available so someone will choose to go for an intercooler.

If that makes sense....

[hensleya1]

I like my IC/E85 setup...

The fact you may have not seen a lot of combos can probably be due to availability of E85. Meaning, if E85 is available, guys just do the conversion because it can net you about the same results but is WAY cheaper/easier than an intercooler install. Same in reverse, E85 isn available so someone will choose to go for an intercooler.

If that makes sense....

Makes perfect sense. Good to know there's nothing precluding an intercooled e85 build.

I went ahead and looked up E85 availability in my area. There's only 14 within a 25 mile radius (and only one that's even close to any of my usual hangout spots) which would relegate any corn fed mayhem to purely a weekend venture

Guess e85 is off the shelf until at least spring.

[jayroca]

I currently am on E85 right now and i had a intercooler on my old build and i can say that it is a night and day experience yeah the gas stations are limited but for me its worth it.. intercoolers are great knock killers too but i prefer E85 over intercooler any day

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

[REDCRAPGP]

Makes perfect sense. Good to know there's nothing precluding an intercooled e85 build.

I went ahead and looked up E85 availability in my area. There's only 14 within a 25 mile radius (and only one that's even close to any of my usual hangout spots) which would relegate any corn fed mayhem to purely a weekend venture

Guess e85 is off the shelf until at least spring.

14 e85 stations within 25 miles wtf... And that's to much of a drive for u..

[Russosaur]

Hes really cheap

Sent from BFE

[REDCRAPGP]

It's a short fcukin drive lazy kids...


Bring a few gas cans.. And make the drive every other week.

[91parkave]

I had to re read that, 25 miles? E85 won't burn up that quick maybe in a 408 tt vette but not your ****

[16MustangVet]

hey!!!! thats my car now thats in those vids!!

e85 and t70 for it now........

[Iceman6669]

hey!!!! thats my car now thats in those vids!!

e85 and t70 for it now........

Bet youre still slower...

[16MustangVet]

in that chassis on turbo and e85? maybe god knows it wont be anytime soon.

[Iceman6669]

Zach had it on e85 and t67. Thing was nucking futs

[16MustangVet]

see you give me high hopes for t70 and e85 in that light of a shell

[Iceman6669]

Not to be an ass, but I'll be shocked if you come even close to Zachs power levels.

[blueguy]

Well, no one else has 155mph trap speeds but you, speedy.....

What's your secret?