O/T building engine for e85

[n8terry]

I want some opinions on this.

Couldn't a person build an engine with about 11:1 compression ratio and run it on e85? Do they make an external fuel pump like for a small block chevy that would handle the e85. Would the throttle body fuel injection work, and what modifications would have to be made?

From what I read, the higher compression ratio will raise the mileage to same level as the straight unleaded in the lower compression engines, perhaps more.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks for your comments.

 

[Bob]

My son is doing just that.

He's putting 305 heads on a 350. (The 305 heads have samller chambers, I don't have the numbers with me at the moment.)

It will be carbureted, for now.

 

[D&Dservice]

(quoted from post at 21:36:10 05/20/08) My son is doing just that.

He's putting 305 heads on a 350. (The 305 heads have samller chambers, I don't have the numbers with me at the moment.)

It will be carbureted, for now.

If you want real go with it, drill a set of 305 heads to work on a small block 400. port the heads and clean up the exhaust side and you have a screamer!............Trust me!

 

[big fred]

What you are wanting to do is build a de-tuned racing engine? Should be pretty easy. If you want TBI, Holley makes a couple flavors of it, depending on how many CFM (how much power) you want, or you could adapt an early TBI from (I'm guessing here, because I'm not a Chevy man) a early 80's pickup or van engine. Fuel pump is a readily available racing pump. A few good places to look are Jegs, Summit Racing and Speedway Motors. Bring you checkbook and they'll fix you right up.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Did it in 1973. Took an Oliver 88, milled the sleeves down to 4 inch. Milled JD 4010 gas pistons to fit the cylinder head, went from 150 pounds compression to 260. Couldn't find a constant source of fuel so learned to carburate alchohol. Went from 50 hp to 125, lived for 30 years. State Champ in 7000 lb Stock class 1976-77.
HyMark Consulting

 

[Ron in Nebr]

With the high price of racing fuel, especially the normal alchohol that circle track cars run, there's lots of talk about this on the racing forums right now. Check out the powertrain tech section at www.4m.net for starters.

Basically from what I read the E-85 is about halfway between the high octane race gas and the methanol that they have been running. Higher compression would help up to a point, dont go overboard. And the carb has to be reworked to flow more fuel than a gas carb, although not as much as a regular alchohol carb. Lots of the specialty carb builders such as Braswell, Barry Grant, etc are now offering custom built E-85 racing carbs. Fuel injection would probably work fine as long as you had a way to adjust the amount of fuel going through it(sensors on the exhaust hooked to laptop computer which was hooked to vehicle computer to tune it).

PS-if you're serious about making power on a small block chevy, forget about the 305 heads unless you're really on a budget and/or already have a set. They're thin-walled castings prone to cracking, and by the time you get 'em ported, install larger valves, etc, you'll have spent almost the same amount of money that you would have to buy a brand new set of small chamber Dart or World Products heads. The GM Vortech heads that came on pickup motors are well worth the money however.

 

[buickanddeere]

The 305 heads on a 400 may scream but they don"t flow worth beans. You can go to the GM counter and get a brand new Vortec heads complete for less than $400.00.
More flow and more efficient combustion chamber shape.
If you are serious about HP. Get a set of Eldenbrock aluminum heads.

 

[buickanddeere]

You are not going to save any money running E85. If you want a reliable SB Chev with warrenty that makes 300+HP really, really cheap. Get a GM crate engine from one of the discount brokers or Summit racing.
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Parts/showcase_detail.jsp?engine=0

 

[buickanddeere]

You are not going to save any money running E85. If you want a reliable SB Chev with warrenty that makes 300+HP really, really cheap. Get a GM crate engine from one of the discount brokers or Summit racing.
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Parts/showcase_detail.jsp?engine=0

 

[Frank A]

Since you have recieved good replies on the mechanics I would just add a caution in that there are no EPA approved conversion kits from gas to E85. I guess it may depend on where you live and what kind of checks they do in your area. Just something to consider before you put alot of money into it.