E98 Information wanted

[dumbricer]

I am based in Minnesota, and need some information about this fuel.

We are currently running a Mitsubishi 4G63 with a 71mm Turbocharger on it. We were running E85 last year on a 61mm turbocharger and made 541 wheel horsepower on 25lbs of boost. Beyond that the clutch was slipping, so we called it a day and ran 11.0 @ 135mph. No knock.

About 2 weeks ago a fuel called E98 was brought to our attention. We did some searching and found a local distributor for 3.20 a gallon.

The fuel system is designed to run E85. Everything is okay to run it, and it has been running E85 for over a year.

My questions:

1. What would the Octane of this fuel be? E85 is 105ish octane, and I know from dyno experience that it takes a LOT to get it to knock.

2. Is it going to overly corrosive? The car has an aluminum cylinder head, and this is going to be a mixed street/strip car.

3. What are fuel consumption requirements going to be over E85? I'm guessing there won't be that much difference between the two, but I'm sure Stoich is different.

4. How hard is this going to be to ignite? Am I looking at an upgraded spark system? It does fine with E85, but it kind of stutters when it is cold (doesn't do this on VP C16), and I'm thinking it might be too cold of a spark or a spark blowout type deal.

Mainly I am worried about Corrosion.

Thanks!

 

[patprimmer]

13% extra ethanol won.t do much. The sums re stoich are very straight forward.

I would also expect the sums on octane will be reasonably accurate, but it does not always follow that a mix gives an octane equal to the mathematical average.

This site will provide all the basic data you need.

http://blizzard.rwic.und.edu/~nordlie/cars/gasoline.html

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[pipehead]

E98 sounds like ATF denatured ethanol. The 2% is 70 octane natural gasoline.

 

[dgallup]

The 2% is probably water! Corrosion will not be a problem. The problem you are going to have with essentially pure ethanol is cold start. That is why the commercial grade (E85) has 15% gasoline. A hotter spark isn't going to help, the problem is low vapor pressure. You are going to need to start on a different fuel or pre-heat the intake manifold.

 

[dumbricer]

The 2percent is definitely not water, as that would be some STRONG alcohol (moonshine).

I think it will start as long as its over 40* outside on E98. Below that it's probably iffy.

One guy not too long ago tuned max power on 110 Gasoline and made 601whp and then put in E85 and made 663whp.

There is a 2.3 liter motor running on E98 running in the 7 second range in the quarter mile now! (Honda)

How is the cooling of Ethanol as compared to Methanol? I know with Methanol you don't need to run an intercooler in a drag racing car. How close is Ethanol to this?

Thanks.

 

[patprimmer]

Did you read the info in the link I posted.

If so why do you ask questions it answers.

The 2% is almost certainly water. Pure ethanol is very hygroscopic and quickly absorbs a small amount of water from the air.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.