Help with possibly running E85......

[rst95eclipse]

I'm interested in having the option to run E85 or straight ethanol in my project. I kind of need answers as soon as possible. The block is assembled and they're finishing up porting my head. So if I need to have things ceramic coated, now is the time.

I know that ethanol eats through aluminum. So my question is, over time will running ethanol damage my forged Wiseco pistons, the aluminum head, or stock 1g intake manifold? Is there anything aluminum that I'm missing? I'd like to run this car for years. Everything to this point has been done correctly to run my B16g at 20+psi daily. I have 880cc injectors, but I'm thinking about running 1600's with DSMLink to make sure I have enough if I ever want to upgrade turbos.

Please let me know if I need to ceramic coat the runners on the head, combustion camber as well, and my pistons.

Thanks for the time and space.

-Corey

[iceminion]

Ethanol does not eat aluminum, METHANOL does....

The only areas of concern (as far as I am aware) is the fuel line/ o rings for the injectors....there are several people running straight e85 on pretty much stock parts (bigger injectors, safc, bigger turbo etc...) with no problems so far.... problems might develop.....but I am a huge skeptic....we shall see.....I myself will be running e85 on basically stock parts in a couple days

there is a huge e85 thread around here somewhere...look around

[rst95eclipse]

I know. I've read it 3 times over the past week while debating this option. I'd like some guys with the huge kahunas to chime in; LightningGsx, Ecoli, Jet.

I think you need to read posts numbered 2, 56, and 61 again.
http://dsmstyle.com/forums/showthrea...6&page=1&pp=20

[tim]

Ethanol is tough on aluminum and rubber components but not nearly as bad as methanol.

If you are looking for long term reliability with no corrosion problems you would probably have to replace everything that comes in contact with the fuel. I am not sure if engine internals or intake manifold would be included but surely fuel lines, fpr, injectors, and fuel rail.

If you want I can give you the e-mail address of one of my professors at school. He is a HUGE ethanol freak and has converted a few cars to run on it. He has spoken on the subject at the state Capitol when they were trying to increase the ethanol content to 20% a while ago. He is a hell of a nice guy and I am sure he would be happy to help.

[rst95eclipse]

Please PM me his number or if you could, speak to him and post up what he says. Thanks in advance.

[CVD]

I wouldnt worry about the pistons at all. And I'm sure the head sees FAR less fuel over time than the fuel rail.

[LightningGSX]

Any alcohol will cause corrosion, for at least 2 reasons.First, it has a high content of water.Second, Galvanic corrosion, which is caused by a conductive path(alcohol) between 2 electrochemically dissimiliar conductive metals.It's not an instantaneous thing, it's definately a mid to long term issue though.Eventually corrosion chunks will start to clog shit up.And don't forget about the obvious safety issues, even if they are remote.