That is sweet! Makes me want to just throw a turbo on mine right now! Hmm... Tony has a rebuilt one gathering dust. I bet I could get him to help me install it and he wouldn't even notice that it's gone.

Does anyone know how E85 compares for octane? I expect it is better than premium.


Lawrenceville, GA

I have done a little research on E85 since 110 race gas is going for $10.50 a gal around here. I think it avg's around 105 octane, but it depends on the time of year and where you are.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

I have some experience running E85.. I would say that it's practcal octane is above 105.. I run it in a 12:1 engine with no problem.. Possibly the cooling effect of the ethanol helps it's anti-detonation properties.



Winter fuel has more gasoline and less ethanol fuel you buy during race season should be true 85%



At 3.39 a gallon locally it's a no brainer. Don't spend up for a special carburetor. Jetting up a standard 750 double pumper 30% worked just as well and made same power as a E85 converted carb.

Royce,

           What about the supposed corrosive effects. Is it really an issue?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Frank corrosive effects on aluminum are with Methanol.. Ethanol is not corrosive in my experience.. There is enough gasoline in it to mitigate some of the problems Regular rubber hoses do get soft over time, but in a race car that does not have fuel sitting in it for long periods it is not a problem. The newer OEM hoses are all alchohol resistant.



Engines really like this stuff Burns cool and clean.. And your race car smells like stale beer

E85 is a great way to go.  I had lots of detonation and dieseling problems on 91octane fuel.  E85 is about 105-110 octane and it is very reasonably priced.  You will need about 30% more fuel across the board.  Everyone around here with performance builds are running E85.  It delivers great power and it is a lot more stable fuel.  There really is no problem with corrosion, all our current gas is blended with up to 15% ethanol already.  You will love it if you switch.  It is kind of cocky when you pull up and people wonder what that smell is and what kind of fuel you are running.  It is also cool when you pull up the ethanol pump with a 62 F100, you get some funny looks!

[Engines really like this stuff Burns cool and clean.. And your race car smells like stale beer[/quote]

HMMM.........................Wonder if I can find jets big enough for my Edelbrock?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Yes, you can, Frank . And if you don't, put about 50 % beer to your tank and you'll get the same smell .

 Seppo from Järvenpää, Finland
www.hollowheads.net (just click the hole in the head to proceed)

Just talked to John Mummert today about some dished pistons.  Hope he gets some good feedbackon them.  Once I get some lower compression and a less disturbing piston and combustion chanber we are going to insall a giant Borg Warner and bring the boost up to 18-20 psi.  I know I can get 500 wheel hp out this engine.  Curious to see how well this Y holds together.  The entire lower end is forged and the crank is steel so I think the lower end should be fine.  Can't wait to here from John about some dished pistons.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "ENOUGH POWER"

Just ordered different heads and valves today for my engine.  I found someone to machine the dome off the top of my pistons.  Compression ratio should be approximetaly 8.5:1.  I will also have bigger valves in these heads because the bigger chamber.  Cannot wait to crank up the boost and eliminate my detonation issues.  Will let you know when I get more done.