My Plan for my 1982 Camaro involves 3 Rochester 2BBL Carbs. I was looking on Ebay for an old core to use for parts when i came across an E-85 Accelerator Pump. That got me thinking...........

Since this thing isn't my Daily Driver, Could i build a Higher Compression engine and run E-85 in my Tri-Power?

Would i be able to build in more performance?

I live in Shreveport and there's only ONE E-85 Station in town. I can live with that, But what does this fuel look like in the long run.

If i build a high compression engine and they decide to do away with E-85, I'm screwed with a rebuild. I understand that i would need a new tank (Probably one of those 4th Gen plastic ones) and new fuel lines.

Would i need special piston rings?

This thing would be pretty cool If i can pull it off, but would it be worth it?

 

IMHO it would not be worth the cost. You could put the money elsewhere in the motor and get more useable power. Converting to E85 costs money. Take that money and put it into better heads then you would have been running. Make it run on pump gas and enjoy it.

 

I wouldn't go with tri-power, but E85 doesn't require changing the fuel tank or anything else in the fuel delivery system. I ran the 396 in the '57 with the 1957 gas tank.

A single 4 bbl would make a lot more sense. You can get an E85 Holley from several different sources.

You don't need special rings.

 

I'd be worried about the one-station-in-town thing and getting into an "oh crap I need gas and I wont make it to my station" situation. We all know how inaccurate the gas gauge is on these cars.

 

You guys are probably right, I guess i'm just dreaming of all the things that my car can be. It's kinda like that scene from GREASE where they were dancing around their car, but without all the singing and theatrics. My Budget won't allow me the cash right up front to do anything that i want and i have to take bits and pieces of time here and there. I guess that will make me savor the experience more.

 

I loved it at the track. In later rounds, when we were basically doing round-robin and were laddered next round, I'd drive straight back to the staging lanes, the gasoline guys would be pushing their car down with the hood open, electric water pump and fan running, spraying down the engine, the track guys were trying to hurry us to get lined up, and I'd say, "I'm ready to go." Irritated the heck out of them.

As for running out before getting to the station, keep a full plastic gallon jug of it with you. Not nearly as dangerous as doing that with gasoline.

 

E85 is amazing fuel to play with. Especially if you have the money to build a high compression motor around it. I've been running it in my motor for over a year and a half with no issues. I've only done some mods to my demon to make it run pretty good. But with an E85 specific carb and some high compression you'll have a nice running motor that stays cool.

 

We've been running E-90 (blended from E-85 and 100% ehanol) in two drag cars for 3 years now, no problems. Like five7 mentioned, no problem with cool down between rounds. I've also been running E-85 in my nasty old shop truck for 5 or 6 years now, had a guy do some carb mods when I changed over the fuel, but that was it! Temperature this morning was 8 degrees, the truck had been sitting outside for a couple weeks and fired right up!

Having a new engine built for my nostalgia street/strip car this winter, due to rules I'll be running E-85 instead of E-90. The compression will be 12.5:1. With the price of racing fuel these days, E-85 sure does cut the expenses of running a drag or high performance street car, and it's really great being able to run high compression on the street and use pump fuel again!!!!!

It does cost a bit to change over, but it doesn't take long to get the pay back!!!!!

 

hmmm, I have once again been swayed. I may indeed try that. I don't know anyone that's tried it with 3 deuces, but i think it'll be neat.

12.5:1 is acceptable compression for E-85?

Can i still use Aluminum Heads?

I'm guessing that i'll need to make sure i have the valve to piston clearance with that kind of compression ratio.

 

12.5:1 and aluminum heads are both fine. Yes, you should check piston to valve clearance.

You should be able to send the deuces to a competent E85 carb guy for proper calibration. I'm not sure I'd try it myself, as bleeds and restrictors will have to be modified (it's more than just jetting to get it right).

 

Well, on that Tri-Power setup, the outer carbs are different. they don't have idle mixture screws or power valves. they're similar to Mechanical Secondaries, so i would imagine that the center carb would be the one that i would have to worry the most about converting. all i would really need on the outer carbs would be larger jets, right?

 

No, the high speed bleeds are affected as well.

 

A bit more to it that just the jetting.... If you're interested, I could PM you the contact info for the guy who does are E-90 carbs. Great work and reasonable prices.

 

It would be good information to have for the future. I certainly appreciate that. Thank you.

 

Sent you a PM with the information.

 

I have been playing with this idea for a couple of years now. I always said if i ever could buy methanol at the pumps i switch in a heart beat. no more over heating probs, and 12.5 is to low,e85 works best at 14:1 and up. Planning new motor right now,500cid,big heads,LOTS OF COMPRESSION....15-16:1, BIG roller cam, sounds like a good place to start. Then watch all hair dryer feed rice eaters wee wee all over themselves

 

I ran e85 in my race car and its awsome fuel for the cheap price it is. I got the holley conversion kit from summit. the motor runs way cooler and still performs just as good as race gas or methonal. only problem i had with it was it jells up like alky does if it sits for a while. I just run gas through the carb at the end of the night.