I have a 93 rx7 with a street ported, 3mm seals, gt35r, rotary performance fuel system, and many other mods. It's tuned on pump gas now but I've been reading around and seeing that ppl with my same set up but tuned on e85 are making a lot more power. So I'm trying to figure out is it a smart choice to switch and what all would I have to buy if I did switch it over?

 

If you have easy access to E85 and can support the extra fuel demands, its a no brainer!

 

^+1, FFE knows their stuff. Making the switch for my next build

 

+2

 

Have the proper fuel system and then get it tuned for the different fuel.

 

What is your fuel setup? Specifically.

 

high flow pump,or pumps , and big size injectors , also depends how much you want to pushhh

 

If I recall correctly, One thing to keep in mind is E85 is not a mininum requirment like gasoline octane. Its a maximum. The fuel must have a maximum of 85% ethanol. A guy around my area with a very fast E85 Evo, featured in modified magazine recently, blew his motor on E85. Tested the fuel and found only 38% ethanol in the fuel.

This is what scares me from going E85. The inconsistency and the possible hydrophilic corrosive effects of the alcohol when the car is not being used.

 

An ethanol content analyzer will eliminate the need for testing. They are relatively cheap. If tuned properly will allow for the car be be flex fuel and you can run any ethanol content you want.

 

^this

 

This is true, however, how do you know octane of the gasoline content? Likely going tp be the cheapest 87.

So lets say you fill up with e85, your analyzer reads 50 percent. Ecu adjusts for the lack of e85 but other half is 87...

To me there's to many variables for a street car...but damn some guys are making tempting power. Not to mention the low coolant temps sound awesome.

 

Yes an ethanol content analyzer is of paramount importance if running ethanol.

Zeitronix ECA : SEMA Award Winning Ethanol Content Analyzer and Flex Fuel Sensor for E-85 and E-85/gasoline Blends

^In case people are lazy.

 

It really all depends on what part of the US you live. The lower your winter temps the lower your winter blend may be. I believe by law the ethanol cannot be lower then 58% but it can also be higher then 85%. 85 is not a maximum. In AZ I have measured anywhere from 84 to 90% year round. I did hear some people reading 70% this winter but I never recorded anything less the 84% this winter. Of course our winters are not considered harsh at all.

 

I would go E85 if the car is a track/weekend warrior type. Not for a DD simply because of the difficulty it would make traveling.

 

If you do make the switch get prepared to change your fuel filter about 10 times as frequently as you will on normal pump fuel.

I used E85 as a daily fuel for 2 years in my 1st gen. No way on earth I will ever put anything but the highest octane plain pump fuel I can find in the 3rd gen

 

my fuel filter seems fine... just checked it now.. around 2 years old on E85

 

Thats fine how much driving did you do? Have you done 15000 miles of driving on a pump E85 fueled car?

Most people barely drive their 7s. I daily drove mine for 2 years. 1.5 years of 250kms weekly work trips and I'm telling you I changed the fuel filter more times than I care to remember. Symptom was always the same, fuel starvation at high load high rpm. Change it problem gone. Remove fuel filter problem gone...

 

What kind of fuel filter are you two running? I know you need to have a SS element for E85.

Did you have your tank cleaned before starting to use E85? This would probably be negligible for as long as you ran it but I'd imagine at first it would cause a lot of problems.

Also what specs are both of your fuel setups? I'm trying to size up what I'll need.

 

What type of premix oil are u guys using?

 

Have a car that daily drives on E85 and fuel filters are working ok after nearly 3 years. We have changed them once every 12 months as routine but no signs of them getting blocked horribly quick.

I would be looking at the condition of your tank before anything.

 

+1 Have never had issues with fuel filters?