Gasoline vs E85 comparison video

[Agent☣Orange]

Interesting facts toward then end.

[pdexta]

Cool video. I think it says a lot that they're comparing $2/gal e85 against $12/gal 114 race gas. There are certainly some drawbacks, but it's not even in competition with 93 octane.

[Joe Morreale]

Makes me question the actual octane of the gas I use. Interesting to hear that lack of cooling on e85 fuel pump could lead to early failure.

[Agent☣Orange]

That and dissolving fuel filter elements. Makes me wonder how a tune can be effective if the fuel quality is always changing.

[pdexta]

Makes me wonder how a tune can be effective if the fuel quality is always changing.

I've been running e85 for several years now and its been very consistent 85-86% ethanol. I did get one tank of 70%, and I try to avoid that station now.

In a carb'd setup I'm sure ethanol content is super critical. In a fuel injected setup, an ethanol sensor is $25, and simple to install (3 wires: power, ground, linear voltage output), so tuning for a wide range of ethanol is easy as long as you have the tuning capability.

[SmileyFace]

The big take away for me is the fact that E 85 will harm your fuel line standard rubber hoses, paper gas filters and wear out the fuel pump in the gas tank quicker. That leads me to my question about any benefits in running ethanol free fuel at $3+ per gallon? Scott will you have to make any changes to your fuel lines filter and fuel pump that you already have?

The other thing is to get the best performance and boost E85 is the way to go.

[D-Rail]

For a few inexpensive hoses, a different fuel filter and a little more frequent fuel pump replacement I'm there. Bigger octane better performance, and lets face it, fuel pump access on a Miata isn't exactly a challenge. And they're not terribly expensive. Race gas octane for less than gas? You betcha! My pre Miata Mustang, (429ci) loved race gas! 112 octane but my wallet hated it! The E-85 carb was hard on my cheap yankee up-bringing but the rewards at the track were awesome! I drove the "stand betters" nuts as I went from 12 second passes down to mid 10s with tuning and timing adjustments! I'd love it here in Port Charlotte!