E85
(ASTM spec for E85 allows range of 51% to 83% ethanol) |
(Modified wording about octane and compression ratio, and added citations to back it up) |
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==E85 vs. gasoline== | ==E85 vs. gasoline== | ||
− | E85 can provide horsepower that is comparable to gasoline. Its octane rating is about 100 to 105. This means that it can be used in higher-compression engines, which | + | E85 can provide horsepower that is comparable to gasoline. Its octane rating is about 100 to 105. This means that it can be used in higher-compression engines, which offer improved power and efficiency. However, E85 gets about 25% fewer miles per gallon than regular gasoline, and it contains less energy per volume than gasoline. |
On a few dyno tests, some people have found that a properly tuned turbo or supercharged engine can be made to produce a bit more power than than the same engine setup for premium gasoline. Fuel consumption is higher though. The main attraction for such engine use is that E85 can be had for around a quarter of the price of "racing gas" while having close to the same octane rating and performance potential. E85 isn't actually "better" than racing gas but sure can be a lot more economical. | On a few dyno tests, some people have found that a properly tuned turbo or supercharged engine can be made to produce a bit more power than than the same engine setup for premium gasoline. Fuel consumption is higher though. The main attraction for such engine use is that E85 can be had for around a quarter of the price of "racing gas" while having close to the same octane rating and performance potential. E85 isn't actually "better" than racing gas but sure can be a lot more economical. | ||
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchgrass Switchgrass] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchgrass Switchgrass] | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil Ethanol fuel in Brazil] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil Ethanol fuel in Brazil] | ||
+ | *[http://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5b01420 Technical paper on well-to-wheels benefits of ethanol] | ||
+ | *[https://doi.org/10.4271/2014-01-1228 Technical paper on ethanol, octane, and compression ratio] | ||
===Hotrodders forum threads=== | ===Hotrodders forum threads=== |