So in a few weeks I am picking up an 89 Camaro. Its a stick and 305 TPI. I've got plenty of future goals for it but to start I'm going to go stand alone with a Megasquirt II kit. My first question is that the kit can do up to 4 coil on plug or 8 wasted spark setup. The Camaro has 1 coil and a distributor so that will mean it will work correct? May be a hard one for most to answer but if not I'll find another way for ignition. My other question is this. I expect to need to upgrade the fuel system for 1 to accommodate the e85 and also at some point supercharge it. Whether thats the ported Eaton M90 I have or something larger later on.

Now here is what I do know e85 takes like 30% more fuel to run properly but also is almost like running 110 octane (or somewhere around there) but what I don't know is what the stock injectors are good for as far as flowing. Also what kind of injectors should I be looking into for later on down the road to fuel it well enough for boost but also handle the e85 on a basically stock engine.

I feel like a few of you are gonna tell me its not worth it and go ahead we can talk about it thats fine. I don't mind seeing pro's and con's. I feel like this will make for a great start for a well powered car later on down the road though. This is a learning experience for me. I've never tuned a car on a stand alone but I am very excited to learn and this seems like a good platform to start.

Sorry no pix of the car yet it's not even in my possession yet because I have to go get it in South Carolina haha.

Cliffs:
Picking up an 89 Camaro 305 TPI
Plan to go stand alone and e85
Need to try and be sure that the Megasquirt 2 is going to handle the Camaro ignition system
Need to figure out what fueling system I need to run.

 

E-85 is 106 octane, never have messed with it on a 305 TPI engine, but when set up correctly it should work fine.... We run 12.5:1 CR with it in 2 drag cars, plus I have a pickup and another car both converted to E-85--but on carbs... Good chance one of the shops around you have done these conversions, but if not I do know of a real good shop here--we use him and his chassis dyno frequently--that has a lot of experience in converting cars to E-85.... I've been running my nasty old shop truck on E-85 for a bit over 5 years with no problems or regrets in converting it to E-85... With performance cars, big thing is being able to get some compression back into the engines and still be able to run pump fuel and not race gas!!!!! For drag racing, we blend our E-85 up to E-90, usually bulbs out with the hydrometer to 112 octane!!!! Friend of mine is currently in the middle of a sbc build with an 8-71 blower and carbs that should be very "interesting"!!!!! I sure do like it, mainly cuz we can run lots of compression and keep the total timing number high and not risk detonating an engine to death.... Again, my advice would be to get hold of someone who has done similar setups, I'm sure he'll have some good information for you as to how best to set up an EFI system for E-85...

 

Thanks for the info! I've had bad luck with tuning shops in the past... they don't tend to want to communicate with me because my dad has a mechanic shop and they think he's stealing there business.... I'll look into it though.

 

definetly subscribing, i for one would love to know more about this setup.

cmon tuning and computer wizzes we need your help!!!1

 

Hey there, don't mean to jack your thread i'm sorry! However, I have a 91 z/28 (GMPP 383 w/milled afr eliminators 11:1 comp) recently did a 750 holley swap and was thinking of an e85 conversion. Wonder if anyone knows if my stock(bosch repalcement) tpi pump is compatible or if the alcohol will eat any of it's materials? I do know i'd need to change the other gaskets and assorted o-rings.. any ideas or insight? Thanks!

 

Don't know about the pump, never have ran a stock type in tank(?) on E-85, but I do know that when set up right the 750's work great on E-85! Friend of mine is running the AED E-85 carb on his 383....took it out of the box, bolted it on, hasn't touched it since. I had an old drag carb (750 modded and tweaked to flow 830 by Vindicator) modded to E-85---Works better now then it ever did on gas!

There is a kit to mod the Holley carbs to E-85... Haven't used one, get mine done by a guy who's a genius on the E-85 changeovers.... Lots of guys around here running the kit that they installed themselves with good results too, though....

 

Very glad to see some interest in this project! Most have been telling me that its not worth it the 305 wont ever make power and a bunch of other BS lol. I've done engine swaps and I'm not interested. I had a 1990 Mazda RX-7 that I swapped the 13b turbo into. Yes I kept it rotary. It's an RX-7 it should stay that way so no flaming please lol.

Got some pictures of the car. It's a bit of a mess to be honest lol. If I can get it here though its going to be a hell of a fun project!







The bad news:
Rear hatch was leaking and I'm told there is some rust under the carpet back there and it needs 1 fender. He says I should be able to work with it though.

Needs some tires to even drive it

Needs a transmission

I have to drive it 650 miles home.......

Needs a paint job (thats fine this will be a fun car to paint)

The good news:
He's throwing in a set of 4th gen 2 tone (dyed) seats black with grey bolsters

He has an auto transmission I can drive it back on

76000 miles on the dash. If thats correct idk....

Its a stick (least it was lol)


The way I see it is as long as the body is fairly solid and the drivetrain is good its a great base. Get a new molded carpet for it put the new seats in and fix the misc dash and interior problems. It will also be going to a black interior anyways or black/ grey combo.


I'd like to throw a 5 speed in. Whats my most cost effective option?