will you do a e-85 engine build now!

I see in the last few issues you have done features on cars running e-85 ( troys nova) and bio-diesel (mike rackes 70 chevelle) so it would seem that the alternative fuel movement is well underway and will probably continue to grow-will you guys (phr) be on the leading edge or be left behind? I would think readers would find it interesting to know if fuel mileage and/or power can be increased using e-85 with higher compression (14:1 or higher) and leaner fuel management ( can you lean out the mix with the higher compression from e-85- the bio-diesel chevelle would suggest this is possible in a deisel anyways), what all is needed to convert from gas to e-85, do some real world testing ect...Or even what diesel engines can be swapped into a muscle car era body with little modifications. I suggested this to you (e-85 build) over 2 yrs ago in the "what engine should we build next" thread and it seemed at the time several readers also expressed interest in this idea. Normal engines have been done just about every way you can do one-be different and start doing what's coming in the future not what's been done over and over again.
thanks


gearhead3  

If we see more proliferation of E-85 stations, we'll try it, but we're pretty far from that in most areas of the country.  

I too would like to see a few different build articles on E-85  engines for vintage street cars and hotrods that are smog exempt. I very much look forward to a lot of bright ideas and combinations of engine components to take proper advantage of this clean burning, high octane, non imported renewable fuel source.

Rocco Gioffre  

Also,
Would it be possible to suggest ideal compression ratios for naturally aspirated and also electronic fuel injected engines running E-85 ?  

Your article in the September 2009 issue on "converting to corn" is a good step in the right direction with the list of some of the parts needed to convert to E-85 but your comment that "With the price of around $2 a gallon. E-85's tolerance to high compression and advanced timing can't be beat for the money." led me to believe you would be more enthusiastic about doing a build on this type of engine. I understand that in some parts of the country E-85 is not as available as in other parts but, there are at least 6-7 pretty populated states that DO have plenty of availability and I'm sure all of those people would be very interested in what can be accomplished with E-85 in a street car. I believe that if someone helps create the demand ( meaning some media with nation exposure )it could cause the demand to grow to where you guys on the West coast would eventually begin to see more availability of E-85.
I would like to see you build a modern computer controlled EFI type engine using E-85 as well as a old school carburated version and maybe even a side by side power and torque competition between the two. I guess until the demand grows out West we will have to wait for any professional ideas on running E-85-lets hope your competition doesn't beat you to it!


gearhead3  

Yes, Thanks again for your Sept. 2009 article "converting to corn". It was good and helpful information, especially about the improvement to low rpm power from a high compression engine. This leads to the question of gaining back fuel economy by gearing the drivetrain to take advantage of this added power.  

As for any engine build articles in the near future ( I certainly don't see it happening here on any of the project cars ) It might have to come down to more of us readers doing the conversion to our own musclecars before the magazines decide to follow suit. Maybe if we consider it a dare to prove that such a thing can be done and is also practical from a performance standpoint then the magazines will jump in. After all, HOT ROD magazine and all its successors began by following the original builders and racers way back in the old days - they didn't invent hot rodding, they wrote about the guys doing it.  

I'm not sure why people are worried about doing this themselves.  Replace the rubber in the fuel delivery system with AirForce/Navy (A/N) fittings, set the carb to flow like you would for alcohol, and tune back from there.

high compression?  There's plenty of articles on this.  Chamber shape in an aluminum head is a consideration...just like on a gas engine.  Pay attention to making sure the fuel molecules don't fall out of suspension from the air molecules, if you're running a wet intake, and in the ports.  If the engine runs cooler, then focus on playing with the thermostat if that becomes an issue of the engine taking too long to warm up, or using heat risers to warm up the manifold, etc.

Gear the rear axle so there isn't a load on the high compression engine in the RPM range you plan to run.  After you've spent all this money...tell us how much you're saving on E85