The great E85 experiment

[Bill @ Fast Forward]

I guess I will chime in here. I'm the one who hydrolocked the engine thanks to WI. At this point I am not sure exactly what happened because I had a pretty sophisticated setup. Maybe that was the problem . I was running the Aquamist 2d and additionally had a hobbes switch wired in to ensure it would be off completely when under 5psi manifold pressure. Before running the water I checked it out with the datalogger to make sure the WI valve was coming on and turning off correctly. Seemed good.

I started off with a test drive with a 75/115 pulley (7-8psi), which was a safe pulley ratio out here with no timing retard and no WI. Everything seemed fine and I noticed an improvement in IATs even with this lower boost pulley. My observations were that cruising down the road I would see 140-150 deg F temps in the manifold and under boost I would see 185-200 deg F by redline without WI. With WI running the IATs stayed around 150-160 deg F all the way to redline through the gears, rather than heating up. Still a fairly modest change. Next, I ran a 65/115 pulley (12-13psi). Without WI, I saw the same 140-150 deg F temps at cruise, but through the gears I would see 210-225+ deg F on the gauge. Plus I had to pull 6 lights of timing. The problem was that it would heat up in each successive gear pull from what I saw. With WI, the temp through the gears came down to 160-175 deg F and stayed there. Plus I pulled all the timing retard out and still saw no ping.

However, after coming to a light, I found the EGT in cylinder #1 was reading low and the engine started chugging slightly. I immediately pulled the wire for the WI and disabled it. The engine smoothed out slowly and I saw the EGT come up on cylinder #1 and the rest of the cylinders matched it. Then I put it in gear and took off moderately and immediately the engine locked up. I was able to start the engine eventually but now it sounds like there is a bent rod and I have determined I hydrolocked it. It had all the symptoms of a hydrolocked engine as I tried to restart it. Likely the damage was already done when I took off for 6 ft. or so.

To each their own of course, but I have had it with WI . Too complex and finicky to rely on for my tastes. Too expensive.

I have a used engine on the way. Well, at least I will have a chance to put in a stock flywheel and a 6-speed this time around. I will have my broken engine, 5-speed (shifts well expect synchro in 3rd a little notchy) and 3.63 Torsen rear end for sale up here soon to pay for all of this.

From here on out I am just going to stick with 8psi and stock throttle body for maximum reliability and street driveability. I am going to run the 6-speed with a 3.91 Torsen to keep it feeling lively as possible. I figure with the 170-180rwhp I will be running it will be a good fun match.

In keeping with the thread , I think E85 is the honest method to run the Coldside at higher boost levels. Either that or Torco, but I think E85 is superior due to its very high latent heat in addition to the octane.

Bill

[Rdrcr]

^^^^
I'm sorry to hear about your damaged engine. That sucks.

However, thanks for posting your results with WI. Where was your nozzle located?

Mike

[socal pat]

Originally Posted by Rdrcr

Agreed. But, I wouldn't mind disconnecting the WI pump and trying E85 to compare the two different methods. And at this point, I don't know how effective the WI will be when I swap to a larger 115mm pulley...We know E85 works with even larger pullies.

Mike

I had a very good experience with my 115 pulley and E85 and I'm not completely sold on the 120 yet. Temps are up near 100 here and I did get a red light on the knock sensor. I still have some tuning to do yet as I'm only on #3 on the T-card (but don't want to up it more than 4) and I can still ad fuel without going pig rich. I get no sign of ping on my morning commute though so I think getting around to installing my cool air box along with further tuning will be a big help. As I said though a 115 on 35% E85 is a great setup.

[speedfreakrx7]

The E85 feels better and I was able to run my timing card at 1 degree without ping on the 115 pulley. I bumped up my fuel a little also. What card settings did you end up with?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

You guys are breakung my heart. I wish I had more stations around here so I coud go back to E85. The power sure was fun.

[socal pat]

Originally Posted by speedfreakrx7

The E85 feels better and I was able to run my timing card at 1 degree without ping on the 115 pulley. I bumped up my fuel a little also. What card settings did you end up with?

I never went below #3 on the Tcard just to be safe. Remember I am running 280 injectors and a 255lph Walbro fuel pump so our settings will be different. My main card is at GB-4, YB6, RB4. That is also with the dual injector manifold.

So how much E-85 are you adding?

[speedfreakrx7]

I'm on my second tank with 30% E85. I have the single 5th injector with stock main injectors right now. I don't want to push it right now because I still have a random hesitation during cruise. My wide band goes full rich to lean back and forth and if I close the throttle and decelerate in gear the wideband indicates 12:1 or so. I havent pinpointed anything yet but I have a new CPS comin and fuel filter etc. Just throwin parts at it now cuz I cant figure it out. Very frustrating.

[socal pat]

Speedfreakrx7 Check your PM's.

[socal pat]

Originally Posted by Tom @ Fast Forward

You guys are breakung my heart. I wish I had more stations around here so I coud go back to E85. The power sure was fun.

Tom, I think you would be very happy with a nice E-85 cocktail. I now keep a 5 gallon can of the stuff in my garage just in case. By tuning to a 35% mix you can still run E10 if need be as long as you just don't do serious drad launches until you get to the good stuff. Even at 35-40% you will get some nice benifits.