E-85 Fuel

[VIPER]

So i am curious about running E-85 in my 2002 hayabusa. I searched the forums and there is really nothing on it at all. I am curious if it is possible and how much in the way of mods would be needed? I saw another site had some info when i googled it but i dont know them so i figured i would ask here and see what our crew has to say.
According to other sites some say fuel pump upgrade and injector upgrade is required. Others say it isnt needed. Sure would like to know for sure...the horse power gains would be nice for sure. supposed up to 20 hp gain. Little lower mileage. Cleaner burning and smoother running supposedly.

 

[twotonevert]

I wouldnt try it. E85 is mostly ethanol. Our bikes were designed to run a maximum of 10% Ethanol 87 octane. I am sure you can have it converted to run E85. But anything that runs E85 is considered dual fuel around here.

 

[ssg_petty_210]

E85 does wonders in the Evo. Only thing I had to upgrade, was my fuel injectors, fuel pump, and then tune for an ethanol map. To easy, and horsepower gains are insane. I think it be interesting seeing a busa on E85. Downfalls to it, would be cold start issues, and mileage. It would be cheaper to fill up the tank, but it will burn a hell of alot faster. HP gains would be noticeable though.

 

[Johnnycheese]

yes you can but you would hav to add a MINUMUM of 23% more fuel

 

[jefro]

From my research E-85 seems to be better suited for a turbo with it's higher octane and cooler inlet temps. The gains on a normally aspirated engine are not very much unless compression is raised and timing advanced but even then the loss in mileage doesn't seem worth the slight increase in power. On problem is E-85 is not consistant on the percentage of ethanol which can make tuning a nightmare. Works much better on a "flex fuel" setup that adds considerable complexity. If I ever get another bike for trips I'll seriously consider going this route with my busa-especially with a 24 hr E-85 pump right behind my house.

 

[Night Busa]

I thought the more ethanol the less power available from the gas, it takes more fuel to do the same work so the mileage is worse? I have heard that the premium gas has less then the midgrade or regular for this reason too.???

 

[frisbee]

I thought the more ethanol the less power available from the gas, it takes more fuel to do the same work so the mileage is worse? I have heard that the premium gas has less then the midgrade or regular for this reason too.???

thats why I was told to run regular when drag racing or on the dyno

 

[Spkrdctr]

As an old fuel additive company owner, JohhnyCheese is correct! You have to tune in a fuel map that is quite richer than a stock map. I have no idea if it is possible for stock injectors to handle this much more fuel. It would be expensive and not worth it for the street. If the factory does it than it will have special sensors, fuel maps etc that are dialed in. Good idea but your really just better off making an alcohol motor. But then it is not a street bike at all!

 

[mattrat]

I'm not sure this applies to Hayabusas, But one of the biggest issues I see in the older bikes I have redone is that the ethanol rots away hoses over time and (not directly applicable) it eats diaphragms in older carbs in no time at all.

Increasing from 10 to 15% ethanol is going to shorten the life of all non-metal parts of your engine. I'm sure there are HP gains, so it depends on whether you use your bike as a daily rider or a track/strip bike.

 

[VIPER]

awesome thanks for the input. i was just kinda of curious as i hadnt seen or heard of many trying it. Doesnt seem like it would be worth the effort at all.

 

[Shaft]

Ethanol is CRAP! Stay away.

 

[mjrfd99]

Ethanol is CRAP! Stay away.

+1 the garbage crap is ruining my older bikes fuel systems.

 

[MO-BUSA]

if you run that fuel it is like the Johnny said in the above post it requires more fuel to make the same energy as normal 87 with 10%

 

[Spkrdctr]

The newer bikes from 2008 and up should all have parts that can handle quite a bit of ethanol. But the bike is not tuned or made for more than 10%. The hoses and such are made for the ethanol. 10% ethanol is all I have here in Florida, and it runs very well in my 08.

 

[busabeast]

doesn't ethanol burn much hotter? wouldn't that pose a problem on long trips, or short high rev spurts (think dragstrip)