What is the Best E-85, Flex Fuel Conversion Kit ?

Thank you for the normal looking post. IIRC, you'd posted multiple times before w/a crazy # of emoticons, for some reason. If so, those posts were deleted... it seems.

I don't know anyone who's done it. I hope you realize there aren't many E85 stations in the Bay Area. See Growth Energy Market Development.

It also seems foolish given the E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price at http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/. CR tested a flex fuel capable Tahoe. Per Test results: E85 vs. gasoline, their mileage went from 14 mpg on gasoline to 10 mpg on E85. More info on the links on the left side of the article.

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/goss/2706.shtml and

shows what's different between a flex fuel vs. non FF car.

 

8.3333 * $3.65 E10= $30.42 400/$30.42 = 13.15 MP$
8.3333 * $3.15 E85= $26.25 280/$26.25 = 10.67 MP$

Even if it was safe and efficient to run a Prius on E85, the Miles per Dollar would not work out.

 

There's really no increased performance with a Prius since it's a naturally aspirated engine. The major gains are seen in forced-induction situations where E85 allows for significantly increased boost pressure.

 

That video sounds overly sensational. "Buried way deep in the engine, clear down in here, VALVES!" He's not describing or pointing to a place where valves are normally installed.

I don't doubt his point, metals in our vehicles will react differently to E85, but I disagree with his method.

 

yeah, go to Fueleconomy.gov and pick any Chrysler/GM flex fuel product. Reduced MPG kills all per gallon savings, YMMV

 

This is an old thread but perhaps someone knows something new...
I desire to add a Flex-Fuel Conversion kit to a Prius. For me, there is only one reason and that is the Alternative Fuel license plate that gives me 24/7 access to carpool lanes in Arizona.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a quality unit?

Thanks!

 

don't ever recall reading about it being done. i think someone, maybe in europe? was using e85 without a conversion, as a test.

edit: see the thread, 'E85 fuel'.

 

Brazil has some rather simple devices to make this happen.

Something as simple as a 17% size /volume increase on your injectors accomplishes the same thing.

Also most cars loose maybe 20% FE (Volt is 17%)

Prius is capable of higher compression and could have gains if the ECM allows the valves to stay open long enough

I guess someone has to be first and report back

 

See this thread: Long Term Effects of E85 on "Rubber" Bladder | Page 3 | PriusChat

Basically you just need injectors that will put in 10-20% more fuel. The computer will adjust the fuel trim without throwing a code to + or - 20%. So injectors that inject 10-15% more are ideal as you should still be able run regular unleaded without problem on them.

I've ran a couple of tanks of E15 in my Prius to experiment and because it's 5% cheaper than regular E10, and there are no noticeable effects of doing so (fuel economy seems ~1mpg worse which makes sense, but my data's not accurate enough to really tell).