E85 (105 octane!)

[77c15]

Any of you guys pick up or receive in the mail the latest issue of Custom Classic Trucks magazine (Oct.2006)? On pages 60-65 there is a cool tech article about converting any old truck (or car) to run E85. They even tell you how richer your carb would have to run with the stuff. I'm pretty sure that just about everyone on here has strong thoughts about replacing their fuel tank (polyethylene or stainless steel only), stainless and compatible rubber fuel lines, and adjusting the richness of their carb. The article does state that the vehicle would basically have to be dedicated to running E85. How big of a deal could this really be? I know that many of us miss driving our actual daily drivers because of high gas prices. I'd love to hear what you guys think about this.

[VileZambonie]

Hardly worth the effort and what's the end result? Nothing really gained. E85 is potentially dangerous to these engines too. I think most enthusiasts don't really penny pinch over vs frying tire in these trucks. If I wanted optimum fuel economy I'd buy a hybrid.  "(105 octane!)" isn't going to make the engine have more power. Higher octane combusts at higher temperatures which is good if you have a high compression ratio but aside from that less heat energy is released and it's a waste unless you can benefit from it. Gasoline is the what my old Chevy's are going to keep drinking regardless of price and I wouldn't waste my time converting it unless fuel was $10 bucks a gallon and hard to find.

[ChevyGuy]

I was curious on this subject due to the Austin area starting to have a couple of the E85 pumps. Even though i wont probally use it but was curious if i could just dump it in. The way you are describing it its like the racing fuel crappy and not worth the money plus you do damage on fuel pumps and hoses.