Get Highly Streetable Performance with an E85 Tune

If you're daily driving your performance vehicle, running on race gas isn't a viable option. Yet, you still want to be able to get the most out of your performance modifications. Luckily, a great solution is widely available and is even typically cheaper by the gallon than regular gas: E85.
E85 is a fuel composed of up to 85% ethanol and as little as 15% gasoline, allowing you to capture the high-octane rating of ethanol along with the great cold-weather performance of gasoline. Due to the unique properties of E85, your build can yield significant power gains over regular gasoline.
Don't go filling your tank with E85 just yet; most vehicles can't run on E85 without a few modifications. To get your racer running properly on E85, you'll likely need upgraded fuel system components and a quality tune, all of which you can find at Boostin Performance. Let's dig into what E85 can do to help you achieve your goals, then let's talk about getting the job done on your car.

Why Use E85 Over Regular Gas?

E85 has unique properties, distinct from gasoline, that can help you extract the highest performance from your vehicle without breaking the bank. It's cleaner burning than regular gasoline, can keep your fuel system cleaner, and while it may not be as energy-dense, E85's cooling properties help make it more thermally efficient. In addition, E85 fuel raises your car's horsepower ceiling over conventional gasoline. And hey, E85 is even environmentally conscious, so it's a win-win situation.

E85 Allows For Higher Compression

In short, E85 has a higher octane rating that allows you to use a higher compression ratio. If you aren't familiar with an octane rating, know that it is essentially a fuel's resistance to pre-ignition detonation (commonly known as knock or ping). Whereas premium gasoline has an octane rating of 91 to 94, E85 typically sees an octane rating of 100 to 105. A high octane rating allows you to run an engine at higher compression, and a higher compression enables you to pack in more air and fuel to yield more power.

E85 is the Answer to the Call for More Boost

Those who are mechanically inclined might notice that the compression ratio of the typical engine isn't easily adjustable. That's why E85 is particularly useful for turbocharged and supercharged (forced-induction) engines. Typically, turbocharged engines build boost up to set threshold, then vent any additional exhaust pressure through a wastegate.
Supercharged engines often have a similar boost-limiting valve system. This is done for various reasons, one of which is to limit the engine's effective compression (also referred to as dynamic compression). If your fuel has a higher octane rating, it can safely handle higher compression, meaning you can capture more of that exhaust pressure and run your engine at a higher boost level for more power. In short, E85 = more boost = more power.

Running E85 on Naturally Aspirated Engines

E85 can also work for naturally aspirated setups. If you already have to put premium gas (91 to 94 octane), switching to E85 can make your fill-ups much cheaper while still preventing knock. If you don't currently need to run premium fuel in your vehicle, have you ever considered an engine swap? Your friends at Boostin Performance build custom engines, you know.

E85 Offers Higher Performance

Power is relative to the amount of air and fuel you can get your engine to burn when it comes down to it. E85 allows you to pack in more air and fuel, earning your build massive power gains without sacrificing streetability (since E85 is widely available). While you may be hard-pressed to find a local gas station that sells race gas, odds are there's a gas station near you, and anywhere you'll go that offers E85. Worst case scenario, you might even be able to run your car on moonshine.

What Does Your Vehicle Need to Run E85?

Being that E85 does have significant differences over regular gasoline, there are some systems in your vehicle that will have to be updated to contend with the fuel's properties. Yet, considering the difference E85 can make to your build, the changes you'll need to make are relatively minor and help maximize your dollar. So, let's dig into what your car will need to take advantage of everything E85 has to offer.

Upgraded E85 Fuel System Components

E85 is about 30% less energy-dense than gasoline, so your engine will need to run on about 30% more fuel. To compensate for the additional fuel that'll need to be burned, your fuel system will need to be upgraded to a higher flow rate. The fuel system will also have to handle ethanol's unique attributes as a solvent. Some necessary E85 part upgrades include:
• Higher flowing fuel pump
• Higher flowing injectors
• Tuneable ECU
• Ethanol-rated fuel lines
• Ethanol-rated fuel filter
• Ethanol-ready fuel pressure regulator

Boostin Performance is your local performance parts supplier and installer, proudly serving you and your vehicle with the very best performance E85 has to offer. Give us a call today to see what we can do for you and your vehicle.

Aftermarket Tune for E85

One of the most critical steps in a successful E85 conversion is ensuring your ECU is appropriately programmed to use E85. To ensure that all of the aftermarket parts work cohesively and that your vehicle runs with the proper air/fuel ratio throughout the RPM range and with varying boost levels, you'll need a high-quality aftermarket tune. We at Boostin Performance have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to get your vehicle ready to cruise the streets on weekdays and tear up the track on weekends.

Switch to E85 With Boostin Performance

If you're looking to keep your vehicle streetable and still be ready for a track day, E85 is the clear choice for you and your build. Our technicians at Boostin Performance have refined their expertise in pulling the most power out of your vehicle while remaining reliable. You can even set up additional tunes for your vehicle, allowing it to run on regular gas or E85 fuel with a simple switch of the programmed tunes. So are you ready to elevate your vehicle's performance? Give us a call or stop into our shop and let's make your performance dreams as tangible as the roar of your engine.