JaxEagle

Here goes yet another of my beginner questions... thanks for your patience... I'm learning quickly (and enjoying it to no end)...

I was reading the list of ethanol free gas stations found at pure-gas.org. I understand that ethanol can be damaging in some cases, but is it a big deal with C5's? Is there any maintenance or durability concern? Is there any performance concern? I assume that the normal ethanol content must not be a concern in our cars, otherwise many of you would prefer gas without ethanol to that of say Shell 93 octane which typically has the legal limit of ethanol.

Thanks gang - I appreciate the help (and free education )

JaxEagle

Anybody? Perhaps this question is totally stupid...

nj02vette

Ethanol was added to gas to help reduce emmissions. There is less energy in an equivalent amount of ethanol than gas, so some get worried.

However, IMHO, you are way over analyzing this. You're not going to feel much difference, if any. Ethanol enriched gas won't hurt our engines at all. I wouldn't go putting E85 in the tank anytime soon (85% Ethanol), but otherwise you're good to go.

JaxEagle

Thanks a bunch! Makes perfect sense. I wasn't over analyzing as much as I just wanted to understand because I am basically a beginner in this whole game - but I am loving all the knowledge I'm gaining! Thanks again

RetiredSFC 97

Stay awy from that **** if at all possible. It attracts moisture and has ruined more things on a car than any good that ever came from it. I guarantee it hurts our sending units.

It totally destroys small engines. We have a state mandate that requires it because our gov at the time had family interests in ethanol. Will a vette run on it? yes it will if that's your question but keep a bottle of techron handy.

JaxEagle

You're referring to E85 I assume? Or, are you saying that you'd get the ethanol free gas at lower octane and add techron instead of buying Shell V Power or Chevron Techron that has the legal limit of ethanol?

Silverbullet00

The emissions difference between 100% gas and 10% ethanol gas id negated by the loss of efficiency. Ethanol was added to gas though EPA regulation forced on us by politicians who collect greased palms from ethanol producers.


If you take a 100 mile trip in a 100% car and get 30 mpg and the same trip in a 10% car and get 28 mpg,,,,,where is the reduction in emmisions?


You burned more overall fuel, period.


Simple example, the truth is much worse. Taxpayers subsidize ethanol production so the net effect is a total loss and a lie!


The worst part is we are burning food to feel good in a hungry world!

JaxEagle

So is it mainly an emissions vs efficiency question rather than a durability or performance question?

Must_Have_Z

Oh really? Do some research... A little bit can go a long way when it comes to ethanol in gas.

http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...s/viewall.html

printmanjackson

ethanol raises octane

JaxEagle

interesting... i think i am now understanding the relation better, but may have more new questions than before - LOL. All good though - I appreciate the info!!!!

Silverbullet00

10% cuts mileage!

jrose7004

I will not put ethanol in any car much less a Corvette.

red89c4

i can not find a ethanol free station in atlanta. ethanol destroys rubber. carb engines with needles and seats, rubber fuel lines on small engines, outboard marine engines all suffer the effects of ethanol. other than the rubber deteriation i woudnt have aproblem with it for street driving, low rpm and low load on engine. now if i were going to the track for a day of fun i would want my horses to have the best hay around.

itzza427

Sadly here in Illinois,,,we don't have a choice!!

hdff

unfortunately here in the houston area i have no choice either.. Fu@%ing government!!!

printmanjackson

Why don't you test the fuel you're buying and see how much ethanol is in there? I tested the fuel at a Shell station I buy my fuel and it is only 5% ethanol. With as little as even 10% ethanol I don't see the big deal running it. I'm not having any problem with KA or timing being pulled and I'm running over 11:1 compression. I have HPTuners and have tuned my engine to the correct stoich value for the fuel I'm using so my fuel trims are very low.

You guys running modded engines on this fuel without a tune are probably leaving lots of hp under the table because your engine is running very rich.

dougbfresh

You need to look up what the Octane rating system really means. The HIGHER the number the harder it is to ignite. That's why higher octane fuels stop pinging. The lower the number the easier it is to ignite so things like preignition and hot carbon on pistons/valves can cause it to ignite too soon. Higher octane number don't mean a lot as far as how much energy/power the fuel can make. An engine that does not ping/preignite the fuel makes more power and keeps the pistons from melting.

RetiredSFC 97

No I am saying I would get non ethanol gas, if possible, at the same octane recommended by the manufacturer.

All ethanol does is boost octane so that there is no need to add octane by the suppliers to mix the various grades.

I would use techron if I had no choice but to use ethanol in order to keep the sending unit clean and the fuel delivery system clean and functioning.

Ethanol is great for the green weenies, however they are too stupid to realize it takes more fuel to produce the crap than it delivers, and it's good for the farmers, however it's bad bad bad for the consumer from the fuel to the high prices it creates at the grocery store.

It's bad stuff, stay away from it if at all possible.

dougbfresh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating