E85 in VA

[FlaakCM]

Knowing that E85 is available for Subraus with upgraded fuel pumps and injectors, I have looked in the past for VA stations that support E85. Usually the closest stations have been in MD. On a whim today I checked out the e85 site again and noticed that there is now a station in Ashburn taht supplies E85 and is about 10 miles from my house.

Schmitz Sunoco Goose Creek

I have to say, I am interested in E85, dont know if I will ever go that route. I would prefer there to be more stations in the area supporting the fuel before I buy in. Thought I would share for people in the area. Here is the website for chekcing E85 stations by state (the direct link i included is for VA).

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[Goodspeed]

Schmitz Sunoco Goose Creek

That was a lot of fun to say in my head

[Maengelito]

There's a gas station in Charlottesville about 5 minutes from me that sells E85. I've often considered running a couple of gallons of it every once in awhile to clean things up but I haven't done so yet. But I'd be hesitant to run it consistently in any car older than say about 5ish years or so. There's just so much rubber and polymer components in the fuel system that probably wasn't designed to be exposed to a higher concentration of ethanol over longer periods of time. Also, all my cars have horrible gas mileage, so I'm not trying to make it even worse.

[FlaakCM]

from what ive read, with tuning and timing adjustments, you should be at about the same MPG if not a little better.

Assuming you can keep your foot off the floor.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Between water absorption rate, gas mileage, and rare ability to find it. Why would you want to run it. Have to have a tune specifically for it, and switch back and forth.

Since it also requires ~30% more fuel for the same "bang", you also need adeuqately sized pump, fuel injectors, and regulator. I considered it back in my turbo days, but it doesnt make sense for a daily driven vehicle.

DO NOT run E85 in your regular vehicle without proper preperation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FlaakCM]

The only reason for it is power numbers. Just thought I would share it out there for those interested

[D_Eclipse9916]

You only make more power if you have a tune that can take advantage of the increased ability to stave off predetonation. It's like putting premium in a car that takes regular. Pointless.

[FlaakCM]

I'm assuming people would know that they would need a tune to go to e85 if their car didnt originally support it. In the case of subarus, you would need a new fuel pump which would be able to support e85, new high flow injectors, and a protune.

[Evan]

there is less energy in e85, you get less mpgs. no way around physics.
my truck takes it natively. back when I got it I did a cursory glance around, there were a few stations around the Arlington area that had it. it was cheaper then too, no idea if that's still the case. never bothered to try it.

[HAULN-SS]

Out in the midwest it's like half the cost of regular gas, and its everywhere. That's the only place i'd ever consider running it.

[WRXtranceformed]

If you want more power & safety without worrying about upgrading or damaging fuel system components, I would look at a water / meth injection kit.

If I had to do a Subaru all over again (which who knows, I may again someday ) I would run either type of injection with a few minor mods.

[PDenbigh]

Here's a good, regurally updated station locator:
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E85 isn't always E85 so be careful with your tune. It might be E70, E50, etc. IF it's a "Blend pump" dispenser you usually have a better chance. If it's a separate tank, it's typically less reliable. E85-ready vehicles have a series of sensors that detect the % of E and adjust tune accordingly.

Interestingly, you can almost (within a few %) even out the MPG loss due to the higher octane, IF you have a boosted or high compression vehicle. Unfortunately, this makes it nearly impossible to go back and forth between E0 and E85. Otherwise, you're looking at ~20-25% loss in MPG because the engine can't take advantage of the other positive properties of the fuel.

Power - yep, more power to be had. I think Koenisegg (SP?) got ~20% more on one of their vehicles. Claims for Octane rating for E85 range from ~96-105ish depending on the source and measurement method. BSo as mentioned, it all comes down to tune.

Slightly off topic, but what Hauln-SS said is true. What really *should* happen is that E85 is pushed hard in the midwest (where it's made), even so far as having vehicles made just for E85 (similar to CARB-certified vehicles) that can actually take advantage of E85's properties. Then, little/no E85 on either coast, because you lose so much ROI in the transport costs.

Anyhow, if Harrisonburg or Staunton had an E85 station I'd seriously consider running the XR on it (turbo car). Just for kicks if nothing else, to see what happens.

Peter

[nismosam]

I've also been debating on making the switch, but if so it'd only be for my track car, and i'd keep a carry a few 5 gallon containers full to the track. Not enough stations in VA yet to make the switch yet if it's your DD imo. To add on to the power increases I saw a thread on a r35 gt-r which made +30whp and +80wtq just from the switch according to the guy who posted it.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I saw a thread on a r35 gt-r which made +30whp and +80wtq just from the switch according to the guy who posted it.

I bet his engine was pulling timing because of increased boost or a tune. Then when he put in fuel with an effective higher octane rating, it didnt pull timing and therefore made more power.

Causation vs. Correlation is lost on most people in forums.