Full E85 conversion(not flex-fuel type) questions

[Speedwagon]

I searched for E85, and didn't come up with any threads to answer my questions. If you know of any, I will gladly read them.

On my '87 Ranger 2.3, it is a trail only truck. It drives from the garage to the trail, and back to the garage. I'm thinking of converting it to run E85, but NOT flex-fuel style. A full on, high compression, E85 ONLY engine. Is this possible? What all would it take to do this? What disadvantages would I have(other than limited fuel stations)?

 

[Simple_serf]

Why bother?

Finally, the downsides of E85 are coming out, and with the corn shortage, the cost will go up.

Otherwise, I would just set it up as a alcohol fuel engine. You would need to make sure that all of your fuel system componetents were compatible with alcohol, make sure that the computer and all of it's sensors and systems could deal with a higher performance engine, and then deal with the mechanicals of it.

 

[jetcjcski]

You are going to need more fuel delivery (about 30% more)

you can run higher compression and more advanced timing

like simple serf said all your fuel system components need to be compatible

probably wanna have some kind of a programmer to edit your fuel and timing since e85 burns cooler, has a lot more oxygen in it and that kind of thing that your stock computer will be pushing its limits to adapt to.

Yet the quick n dirty way is to buy 30% larger injectors and let the stock computer adapt. You just run the risk of going too lean, leaking from component failure, or clogged injectors/filters from component failure.


EDIT---
Why bother? How over 100 octane for cheaper than your 87? Government subsidized prices keep it cheaper.

 

[Simple_serf]

The reason i said why bother is because that 100 octane needs 30% more to do the same job. That raises the cost considerably.

And because of the flooding in the midwest, corn prices are going and will continue to go through the roof, regardless of subsidies.

If it's just for a trail truck, you don't really need to have the 100 octane anyways.

 

[scotts90ranger]

propane would probably be easier and cheaper... but I don't know what disabling the injectors and fuel pump would do to the diagnostics...

 

[Speedwagon]

Why bother?

Finally, the downsides of E85 are coming out, and with the corn shortage, the cost will go up.

Otherwise, I would just set it up as a alcohol fuel engine. You would need to make sure that all of your fuel system componetents were compatible with alcohol, make sure that the computer and all of it's sensors and systems could deal with a higher performance engine, and then deal with the mechanicals of it.

Alcohol is not widely available, whereas E85 is certainly more available. The price is about $1/gal less here from what I've seen over gas, almost $1.50 over premium. And they can makre E85 out of more than just corn. If built for E85, from the research I've been doing, there really isn't ANY downside, except for limited fuel availability.

Oh, and I'm running 33s on 3.73 gears behind a 2.3L. I'm not exactly concerned with fuel economy, more with engine performance.