Considering the recent EPA ruling, I guess we may see up to 15% ethanol in fuels sometime soon. They say it's ok for cars as old as 2001, but mine is a 91 Trans Am.

How will this affect our engines and fuel systems? Will it handle it "as is" or must changes be made? If so, what changes?

 

I, too, have a '91 and from what I saw happen to my boat three years ago with the intoduction of 10% ethanol, I am concerned. No one is taking this seriously yet and it will certainly have negative impacts. I had to throw away 100 gallons and purge my boat's fuel system before the problems went away.

 

It will actually cause the car to run a bit lean due to the fact that the ethanol is oxygenated. The stoich AFR for E15 will be around 13.9 or so. At WOT, the engine will be leaner, and not make as much power. It could also cause damage to the cat during extended high load use as the ECM will not correct for the lean condition, and the surplus oxygen can cause it to overheat. Theres also the issue of low power content. With more ethanol, the fuel will have about 8-10% less energy than straight gasoline, which is kind of annoying when you still have to pay the same ammount for it.

If you want to be cheap, you can just turn up the fuel pressure. The new pressure you need will be (14.7/13.9)^2 x current fuel pressure. If your current fuel pressure is 40 PSI, youll want to turn it up to 45 PSI. That will correct for the new fuel across the board. Thats the easiest way to fix it. The next option would be prom programming. You'd go in, and change the stoich AFR, PE AFR, or whatever is in the calibration for your specific ECM.

 

My 88 did NOT like it when I had to make an emergency stop and that's all they had. Ran like crap, and I paid the same amount for it. I won't ever touch that stuff again if I have the choice in the matter.

 

I'm beginning to understand. So now the questions are (in case I need to deal with it) :
1) Are there chips now made to address this fuel?
2) How would I adjust the fuel pressure?

 

From what I've seen so far the 15% rule doesn't mean that the only fuel you'll be able to buy. I have read where they will carry both like some areas do now.
But 2006 is when 10% was in effect and thats all they carried here.
I have read what some people have claimed as a result to this, but not one I found was supported.
I know if no one in my club or anyone else report any problems what so ever using 10%, not that 15% won't change that.
Its a waste of time to do this since the foot print of doing this makes a larger pollution mess than running 100% gasoline.

 

A reply from my similar message on SC3G.org
==================
House Approves SAN Supported Measure to Suspend EPA E15 Program; Senate Action Next

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a provision to prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using agency funds to permit an increase in the amount of ethanol content in gasoline to 15% (E15). The provision is part of a larger bill to fund the federal government during fiscal year 2011 which must also be approved by the U.S. Senate. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) requested this action and worked hard to secure the vote. When signed into law by President Obama, this timely legislation will protect automotive enthusiasts and consumers from misfueling and other unnecessary harm.

On behalf of millions of auto enthusiasts across the country, SAN applauds the House of Representatives for acknowledging the need for more unbiased and independent testing on the impact of E15 on vehicles and engines. The provision suspends EPA’s premature efforts to permit E15 in the marketplace in fiscal year 2011. The SAN is now working to help pass a newly introduced bill (HR 748) to repeal the EPA E15 program altogether.

The SAN will continue to take proactive steps in Washington, D.C. to oppose E15 until there are conclusive scientific findings that demonstrate that it will not harm automobiles of any age as a result of corrosion or other chemical incompatibilities.

Please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance.

 

Its not as bad as it might seem. My 5.7 Ram running on E85 gets 13 mpg, only 1-2 mpg less than it gets on E10. I have run the TPI in the Van on a chip program I wrote 2 years ago, for the past 2 years when I drive it, performs admirably on the fuel. It burns super clean, actually cleans the insides of the engine, the tail pipes stay clean, and the added low-midrange torque and smoothness is very noticeable.

 

I wouldnt mind doing E85, as you can build an engine to take advantage of the increased octane rating as well as the extra oxygen content. E15, though, is sort of a half-breed. I can see it causing issues with some cars that have NB O2s only and the stock calibration leaning out at high load.