E85

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randeez

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The gmt800 flex fuel vehicles use a very expensive sensor, $400+ iirc....the tables may be in the non flex fuel vehicles just not enable. Some of those engines came with rediculously small injectors 24lb/28lb injectors will not flow enough e85 to keep up.

For gmt900 the factory uses a virtual sensor, which is just the o2 sensors monitoring outgoing exhaust and fuel trims to determine E-content, it's not that great.
Gmt900 the sensor is pretty cheap 50-75 depending on which you get, however you need some fittings to put it in the fuel line. I grabbed a sensor and quick disconnect fitting but it's to long to all go inline, so I need to grab some more plumbing to make it work. This probably what I'll end up buying:
https://dsxtuning.com/collections/f...sx-flex-fuel-kit-for-2006-2009-trailblazer-ss
Is gives you a y-adapter for power and you need to install a pin in the ecm

And @LanceD how'd your e85 adventure go?
 
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LanceD

LanceD

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It's not that noticeable. Maybe a tad better? I will be filling up again soon and we'll see if it is worth the trip or not.

I do plan on a cam, dod and vvt delete, do you think with tuning it will make more of a difference?
 

Etraeger

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Can't find the E85 in California very easily. I've seen it ONCE in my life in Southern California (I live in Central California). Scarcer than a Jackelope!
 

JonnyTahoe

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Can't find the E85 in California very easily. I've seen it ONCE in my life in Southern California (I live in Central California). Scarcer than a Jackelope!
It's made from corn so it's more available in the Midwest. It's available at most gas stations but you really do not see many people using it. We also have E15 and E30 at a few stations. Our regular fuel has 10 percent ethanol mixed in during the winter months and some stations discount the mixed regular a bit so more people will use it.
 
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randeez

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It's not that noticeable. Maybe a tad better? I will be filling up again soon and we'll see if it is worth the trip or not.

I do plan on a cam, dod and vvt delete, do you think with tuning it will make more of a difference?


Tuning specifically for it will make a difference, when I was trying to find someone to tune mine a couple of them kinda gave me the "you might get another 15-20hp out of it, not really worth it" and most will just copy over the high octane tables and call it good. Im not to worried about dyno numbers, down here ambient temp is 90+degrees half the year...heat soak makes everything feel sluggish, only run 93 otherwise but even then it feels down on power. E85 isn't nearly as effected, knock is pretty much non existant in an NA engine with e85
Down here, E85 from the pump also ranges from a minimum of 50% ethanol to 85%, I haven't found a pump with over about e65 for the last few months. This is the downside of running it if you want max performance on it you may not be able to find any with a high ethanol content.
In theory it should meet whatever standards are set to call it e85 but I imagine whatever isn't ethanol is just crap low octane filler
 
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LanceD

LanceD

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Fill up #2
292.8 miles @ 21.4 gallons.
Still $2.09/gal but 86 is down to $2.34
13.7 MPG on E85
16MPG On 86
 

JonnyTahoe

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E 85 can be as much as 100 Octane. Older cars with carburetors can jet them to run on E 85 and it makes good power as it's around 100 octane.
 
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swathdiver

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That's what my truck feels like when using it, sure beats $10 a gallon for race gas!

I'm about to reset my fuel trims and to do so the alcohol content must be less then 10%, so back to 93 for two tanks while I do that and replace the cats.
 

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