Here in the Mid-west, we have abundant access to E85 fuel which, for those of you that don't know, is: 85% ethanol / 15% gasoline blend, approx. 107 octane for about $.75/gallon cheaper than premium.  Available at the pump and perfectly legal to burn.  It is primarily used in Flexiable Fuel Vehicles (FFV's) which tend to be late model cookie cutter and soccer mom cars.  The FFV's are hobbled by the fact that they are trying to run on both fuels (primarily gasoline) therefore power and economy suffer on E85 to the point that it is cheaper to run on gasoline (brilliant federal regulations at work here!)

Anyway, my buddy and I have a couple of vehicles we want to convert to run on E85, all the time.  One is a 1989 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9 V-6 FI to be used as a commuter vehicle.  The other is a Ford 2.3 FI turbo from an 87 Turbo Coupe to be run street /strip.

We are looking for someone to help answer questions about reprogramming (or replacing) the computer to handle A/F ratio, fuel maps, etc., etc.

Can anyone put us on a trail?

And if anyone knows, is it just like running racing fuel? could a high compression (say 12:1) run on it like it was just another high octane fuel? or can a 9.5-1 engine tuned right run on it as well?  

http://www.westbioenergy.org/reports/55032/55032final.htm  

Talk to Patrick at www.prosystem.com

I think he can help you!

Have you got a phone # for Patrick at Prosystem?  That address takes me to a sight with lots of pop-ups and crap but no www.prosystem that I could find.

Thanks!

From what I've read so far, it would be fairly simple to convert a carburated motor.  You need to have higher compression, at least 12:1, put larger jets in your carb and throw some timing at it, any racer running alcohol has this nailed down.  As I understand it, the compression ratio is the main reason FFV's don't run efficiently, their set up for gas and it moniters the color of the fuel to adjust its timing. 

FI is a little trickier, as alcohol is most efficient at a different A/F ratio (like 15:1) and the fuel map may not accomdate what the engine needs. 

I hoping to find out.....

Thanks for the input.

"As I understand it, the compression ratio is the main reason FFV's don't run efficiently. . . ."

That's one reason why forced induction (supercharger/turbocharger) is a perfect match with E-85 engines.

For example:

"The Saab 9-5 BioPower is a flexible fuel vehicle designed to operate on E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline), but can also use standard gasoline if E85 is not available. The 9-5 BioPower is the first turbo-charged vehicle designed to operate on E85. Sales have already begun in Saab's homeland Sweden. . . " 

"Saab reports that the 9-5 BioPower produces more power and performance when running on E85 than on conventional gasoline. The engine delivers 180 brake horsepower (bhp) with E85 and 150 bhp with gasoline. In addition to this 20% increase in maximum power, 16% more torque is offered with E85 over gasoline."

http://www.ethanol.org/PressRelease8.3.05.htm

Of course, the Saab is just a little four-cylinder, tuned to run 100,000+ miles, produce minimal emissions and no warranty claims.  Not really pushing the performance envelope.

BUT JUST IMAGINE THIS TURBO/E-85 TECHNOLOGY IN THE HANDS OF RAVING MAD-MAN CAR CRAFTERS . . . Turbo V8s on the edge . . . 15-25% more power than on unleaded . . .