Ethanol fuel with an APR 100 octane file?

[bikerbob951]

Well, I've got a 99.0 1.8TQM tuned with an APR chip, 91 / 100 octane... And I'm itching to push that button and try the 100 octane file. The high price and scarcity of leaded or unleaded race fuel has kept me from giving it a try. So I got to thinking today, doesn't E85 have an octane rating similar to 100 octane race fuel? I know it might be impossible, but my limited knowledge tells me it might be worth a try. My main questions:

1. E85 lacks natural lubricants found in standard pump gasoline... would this pose an issue?

2. Do I need to run bigger injectors and fuel pump to handle the request for more fuel, since it is only about 70% of the energy of standard gasoline?

3. I don't really care about gas mileage, this isn't my daily car anymore. I use it for autocross / track days / date nights / weekends... but I do still care about street manners to a certian degree. Would I be able to switch between tunes on the fly due to fuel availability? Example, If I'm on a road trip and I can't find ethanol, can I just switch back to my 91 octane tune and fill up? Or would spark plugs need to be changed due to the lower burn temperatures of Ethanol?

I've done some research, and I've only found people on standalone tunes running ethanol... Here's the modifications I've done:

- K&N cone filter
- 034 Test pipe with rear O2 antifouler
- APR 91 / 100 octane tune with momentary switch to change maps
- NGK BKR6E spark plugs
- Forge Splitter DV
- 2.5" Stainless exhaust, one resonator, no muffler
- N75 race boost frequency valve
- Podi / stepper boost gauge
- a bunch of other shit that really has no bearing on this question

Thanks in advance for the responses!

[1NaudiA4]

You'll need roughly 30% more fuel than if you were to run race gas. You might be able to do it if you get fuel injectors that are 30% larger than the ones on your APR tune but I'm not sure if the limits of the stock ECU would be able to correct for the fuel adjustment.

[M-Hood]

You do not want to run E85 on a 100 octane tune, the amount of fuel will not be right and you will end up running very lean and damage your engine.

Just find a local race shop or motorcycle shop that sells 100 octane in a 5 gallon drum. If you cant find one then I would suggest ordering some Torco Accelerator which you can add to pump gas to make it race gas.
http://torcoracefuel.net/pro-accelerator.html

[Seerlah]

^Never knew about that Torco stuff. Bookmarking!

But since on topic, about what octane does meth and pump fuel (93 octane) grant?

[M-Hood]

^Never knew about that Torco stuff. Bookmarking!

But since on topic, about what octane does meth and pump fuel (93 octane) grant?

Depends on who you talk to. Some say it is up near 100 octane, David says it isn't anywhere near that.

[bikerbob951]

You'll need roughly 30% more fuel than if you were to run race gas. You might be able to do it if you get fuel injectors that are 30% larger than the ones on your APR tune but I'm not sure if the limits of the stock ECU would be able to correct for the fuel adjustment.

Thats one thing i was wondering about... not sure how much the 100 octane map would compensate for fuel volume.

You do not want to run E85 on a 100 octane tune, the amount of fuel will not be right and you will endeavor up running very lean and damage your engine.

Just find a local race shop or motorcycle shop that sells 100 octane in a 5 gallon drum. If you cant find one then I would suggest ordering some Torco Accelerator which you can add to pump gas to make it race gas.
http://torcoracefuel.net/pro-accelerator.html

Torco, eh? I'll have to look into that.

So... do I have to go to a colder spark plug for running the 100 octane map?

[M-Hood]

Thats one thing i was wondering about... not sure how much the 100 octane map would compensate for fuel volume.



Torco, eh? I'll have to look into that.

So... do I have to go to a colder spark plug for running the 100 octane map?

No you don't.


Have you tried these guys? they are listed as a Torco race fuel dealer in Cincinnati, OH.
Eastern Hills Automotive & Marine
6251 Stewart Rd. , 45227
513 561-4849

Other Torco Race fuel dealers in OH
Amelia Fast Company Race Supply 2280 State Route 125, 45102 513 734-1900
Columbus Pickups Plus Cars 7950 Columbus Pike, 43035 740-549-2828
Hilliard Pickups Plus Cars 4537 Cemetery Rd, 43026 614-529-1212
Van Wert V.W. Auto Supply 118 N Jefferson St., 45891 419-238-2045 attn Skeet


Other places to contact about race fuel in OH.

Duncan Oil Company
849 Factory Road
Beavercreek, OH 45434
800.527.2559


Bazell Oil Company
www.bazellracefuels.com
Russ Bradford
Tim McWhorter
Brian Bazell
800.521.5420



Dragon Racing Fuels dealer in OH

Performance by Fisher
1700 N. West Street
Lima, Ohio 45801
419-222-9820


I a 2011 thread on a Mustang forum saying there is a gas station that is right across the street from Tri-City dragway that sells Sunoco race gas. On Google map it shows a Marathon gas station across from the dragway's main gate.

You can also use the Sunoco Fuel finder page to find their dealers in the Cincinnati, OH area that sell race gas. The one near the Tri-city dragway is listed as SkyView Market.
http://www.racegas.com/fuelfinder

Miamitown Marathon
6383 Hamilton Cleves Road, Miamitown, OH 45041 US

Florence Speedway
L&m Performance

Marathon Station
6 Cincinnati Street, Lebanon, OH 45036 US

Crown East Marathon
4501 S. Dixie Hwy, Franklin, OH 45005 US

[bikerbob951]

Thanks for the info... I seriously have done some searching and couldn't find much information. I believe I know where Tri-City dragway is, I might have to stop in there after I do the timing belt in a few weeks.

Thanks again for the info guys, very helpful. I'll post up on the difference between the two maps, I'm not sure what to expect.