E-85 article

I though the E-85 article was overall a pretty good writeup on the fuel.  It also had a good list of available related parts.  However,I think you left out an important aspect of the fuel.  The part you left out is how much the fuel can deviate from the "E85" mix that people associate with the name.  If you read the spec, the minimum alcohol volume can be as low as 70%.  In fact, the winter mix will likely be 70/30 to help reduce cold start problems.  Ask any racer running methanol about trying to start the car in cold weather.  

The point being - with winter and summer mix, not a lot of stations and very few real live flex fuel vehicles, you have zero idea what blend of fuel your going to pour in your tank.  

Ask your experts what a user would need to carry in the jet kit to rejet and trim the carb for the varying fuel mixes.  The computer in a flex fuel vehicle can make adjustments on the fly.

I was strongly leaning toward E85 for use in our bracket cars, including a scheme to ferry the stuff 200 miles because that's the closest pump.  That was until I read the specs.  Now, no way I'd run it with a carb and no way I'd ever run it in my bracket car.  

E85 Specifications and ASTM references  
1967 Falcon 4 door - 351C
1970 Mustang coupe - 351C
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

Thanks for the heads up!  

FYI Just so you know, here's my set-up.  I have a 86 Mustang that we run in the desert southwest.  I have  a stroked 351W (393 *** with Kaase heads, KB flat top pistons (forged) and a .640 lift solid roller cam.  I have reworked the carb to run E85.  I started with a Holley 850 but it's got a bigger body  now so I guess it's about a 900cfm.  I did a number of other mods to make it work.  Bottom line- we run 10.20's in the desert heat (100+ deg) and at 3000 alt.  That's equal to 575-600 hp.  I just came from the gas station and filled the fuel jug at $2.65 a gal.  I have been running the E85 for about a year and a half now and it's been very consistent.  My local station has a sticker on the pump that says "85% Ethanol minimum", so I guess it's a little different that what you can get.  I give E85 two thumbs up!  

Thanks azstang,
This is the kind of info those of us in the E-85 planning stages need.
Is you car a race only piece?
Do you know anybody running carburated on the street?
I'm in San Antonio,Tx. one local retailer (grocery) says they are commited to e-85 and are putting their money into having one pump at everyone of their stores.
Today I could run from my home north to Dallas and east to Houston, south to Corpus Christie so it's coming.
My plan is to build a "Boss" type 302/331 with around 12.5/1 running on e-85.  

I ran E-85 for 2 years on the street with no problems. The only reason I'm not still running it is I built a new motor and when I'd ordered pistons E-85 wasn't marketed. I ordered 10.5-1 custom pistons for my 528 Hemi and E-85 really wants more compression than that.
 You will have to modifiy EVERY curcuit in the carb and use a wideband exhaust gas analizer such as the LM-1 to get the carb right. Dave