Unmodified Vehicles

Comment by Robert Jackman on June 14, 2008 at 6:32am

This month, we went through Emissions testing in the Tucson test facility.

This car is an older station wagon, all wheel drive, and has 206,000 miles. We have put about 10,000 miles a year on this vehicle.

1992 Subaru Legacy Wagon
2.2 liter 4 cylinder multiport, non-turbo, AWD
5 speed Manual Transmission

I always changed the oil and Air filter before emissions testing each year. In 2008 I did not have time to do this so the Air filter has about 10,000 miles on it. Oil had about 3000 miles on it also. We use Delo 400 oil, which is a premium oil. In early 2007, a few months before 2007 testing, we changed the O2 sensor as it looked original and was possibly not working as well as when new.

2005 through 2007 results. (Before blending E-85)

HC in PPM 19 (Idle standard is 220)

CO in PPM 0.01 (Idle Standard 1.20)


2008 results:

HC 09

CO 0.00

This year, we have been using a blend that is 60/40,
3 parts E-85 to 2 parts 87 octane pump gas.

We started blending very slowly, as per David's suggestions, to avoid dissolving too much built up gunk and varnish in the fuel system and thereby plugging the fuel filter, adding one gallon of E-85 with each full tank of pump gas.

Added another gallon of E-85 to each subsequent tankful until we were at the present 3/2 ratio.

We have been at a 3/2 ratio since last November 2007.

We note that we can drive one gear higher while commuting around town, quite often we are running in 5th gear at around 40 to 45 mph. The engine is loafing along turning at about 1500 to 1700 rpm.

Before, when running on pump gas, this car would have been pinging at 40 mph in 5th gear, which would have necessitated shifting down to 4th and spinning the engine faster, using more fuel.

Our MPG on the 3/2 ratio, has been averaging 22 mpg without changing our driving habits except as noted above. We were getting 22 mpg when on pump gas.

Our mpg is improving even more as we learn to implement coasting to a stop while idling, and other fuel saving tricks.

Comment by simon fearnley on July 20, 2008 at 3:03am

Sounds like you guys are all finding out some interesting things with your experiments, i wish i could get hold of the stuff n vancouver and do my own. keep it up i look forward to the results

Comment by Pepe on August 4, 2008 at 3:13pm

Ethanol/Gasoline Blends in Unmodified Non Flex-Fuel Vehicles:
Study Finds Certain Ethanol Blends Can Provide Better Fuel Economy Than Gasoline.
Article
Scientific Study

Comment by Ron on August 11, 2008 at 12:04am

I have a 2006 Chevy Cobalt LT that ran well stock up to E30 (30% ethanol). Once I put on a conversion kit I can run up to E75 without a Check Engine Light. Wow. E75! I can't run higher % 's without other mods, but that's fine with me for now.

Comment by Robert Jackman on August 24, 2008 at 11:31pm

There is more discussion here:

http://acbagnetwork.ning.com/group/unmodifiedvehicles/forum

Comment by Jackson Bowman on October 2, 2008 at 8:58pm

My question is this:
I watched the impressive video on YouTube "American Coalition for Ethanol A.C.E. disassembles non-flex-fuel engine..." of a 2000 Tahoe driven over 100,000 miles on E-85 without any conversion. I can run my 2001 Saturn now without conversion on E-85. I live in South Carolina and we've had warm weather up to the past couple of days.
Why should I fork out $300 bucks for a conversion kit? What's the advantage other than to the financial well-being of the conversion kit manufacturer?

Thanks,
Jackson Bowman

Comment by Rall on October 27, 2008 at 12:05pm

If your car runs fine off of E85 than go for it and keep us posted on your ongoing results, thats what we are here for

Comment by Doug Williams on November 15, 2008 at 5:10am

I am going to start using a blend of e-85 in my 2004 ford f-150. It is in good shape and has about 70,000 miles on it. I will let ya know how it works out.

Comment by Alphaone on November 19, 2008 at 11:51am

I've used about 20-30% E85 in my little Mazda 323F -99 for a couple of months now and I really haven't noticed any difference whatsoever. Going to work my way up to 50% here shortly and see what happens...

Comment by John on November 26, 2008 at 6:19pm

I have run somewhere around 70-75% in my unmodified 1996 Chevy Astro before it stated to run ruff. I went down put some gas in and before I got a mile it was back to normal. So, I run it a little over 50% now. I feel great knowing the money i going to a farmer rather than leaving the US. I want to start a CO-OP any one know were I can buy Ethonal in LA

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