This is a serious question. What has to be done to the focus/focus svt to enable it to run on the E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline)? They are going to be getting stations that sell this in my area, here in the midwest. I am would like to save money on gas when the price jumps next sumer. Also 105 Octane can't be bad either.
E85 The Focus and You???
tuweySVT
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This is a serious question. What has to be done to the focus/focus svt to enable it to run on the E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline)? They are going to be getting stations that sell this in my area, here in the midwest. I am would like to save money on gas when the price jumps next sumer. Also 105 Octane can't be bad either.
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21,133 Posts
Ethanol at E85 levels can impact various metals like aluminum, plastics and rubber.
Here's more:
Is your vehicle E85 compatible?
Vehicle listing is below. Unfortunately, if your vehicle is not listed, your vehicle is NOT E85 compatible.
[For Ford vehicles:]
2006
3.0L Ford Taurus sedan and wagon (2-valve)*
4.6L Ford Crown Victoria (2-valve, excluding taxi and police units)
5.4L Ford F-150 (3-valve. Available in December 2005)
4.6L Lincoln Town Car (2-valve)
2004 - 2005
4.0L Explorer Sport Trac
4.0L Explorer (4-door)
3.0L Taurus sedan and wagon (2-valve)
2002 - 2004
4.0L Explorer (4-door)
3.0L Taurus sedan and wagon
2002 - 2003
3.0L Supercab Ranger pickup 2WD
2001
3.0L Supercab Ranger pickup 2WD
3.0L Taurus LX, SE and SES sedan
1999 and 2000
3.0L Ranger pickup 4WD and 2WD
3.0L Taurus LX, SE and SES sedan
Many 1995-98 Taurus 3.0L Sedans are also FFVs
*Fleet Purchase Only
Here are some links to E85 tech info:
Here's more:
Is your vehicle E85 compatible?
Vehicle listing is below. Unfortunately, if your vehicle is not listed, your vehicle is NOT E85 compatible.
[For Ford vehicles:]
2006
3.0L Ford Taurus sedan and wagon (2-valve)*
4.6L Ford Crown Victoria (2-valve, excluding taxi and police units)
5.4L Ford F-150 (3-valve. Available in December 2005)
4.6L Lincoln Town Car (2-valve)
2004 - 2005
4.0L Explorer Sport Trac
4.0L Explorer (4-door)
3.0L Taurus sedan and wagon (2-valve)
2002 - 2004
4.0L Explorer (4-door)
3.0L Taurus sedan and wagon
2002 - 2003
3.0L Supercab Ranger pickup 2WD
2001
3.0L Supercab Ranger pickup 2WD
3.0L Taurus LX, SE and SES sedan
1999 and 2000
3.0L Ranger pickup 4WD and 2WD
3.0L Taurus LX, SE and SES sedan
Many 1995-98 Taurus 3.0L Sedans are also FFVs
*Fleet Purchase Only
Here are some links to E85 tech info:
- Changes in Gasoline
- E85 and Energy Content
- Handbook for Handling, Storing and Dispensing E85
- Making the Switch
- RFA Technical Manual
- Tank Preparation for Ethanol
You'd need a stainless fuel tank, tephlon coated fuel lines, different injectors and you'd need sensors that can tell the difference between E85 and straight gasoline. The stuff is rated at 105 octane. The race gas I use in my GT is 106 Octane. Tuners should have fun with that once it's more or less available.
As stated, cost for conversion I'm sure would run quite a bit. New fuel tanks that arent stainless run about 300-400 bucks, injectors are roughly 250 for a set of 4 42's #'s, fuel lines.. who knows.
As stated, cost for conversion I'm sure would run quite a bit. New fuel tanks that arent stainless run about 300-400 bucks, injectors are roughly 250 for a set of 4 42's #'s, fuel lines.. who knows.
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I doubt the savings would exceed the cost...
Well, if you want to set it up as an e85 only car, it wouldn't be bad.
You will want to get ethonal-safe fuel lines, fuel pump, gas tank, injectors, and, head.
The rangers made in MN where flex-fuel viechles, they have stainless-tipped injectors, I am not sure of the duty cycle...
Teflon coated or stainless fuel lines, you should be able ot buy the fuel line from summit in a coil or something.
Gas tank..the plastic one would not be good to use, you would need to line it with something, this would prob be the biggest pain right here...
Head...it may survive e85.
Tune, you will want to get a tune for e85, it will take a bit more fuel then gas, but, with a good tune, you will also make more power since it has a higher octane rating that would be safer for higher compression or more timing.
It will also smell like cheap liquor when you pass someone. At about 60 cents less then regular, and, premium being abohter 30-50 cents, there could be a savings in the long run, especially if you bought the parts second hand.
The biggest hurdle would be the gas tank. The pump, injectors, and, possibly the fuel lines could be used from a flex fuel ranger or taurus.
You will want to get ethonal-safe fuel lines, fuel pump, gas tank, injectors, and, head.
The rangers made in MN where flex-fuel viechles, they have stainless-tipped injectors, I am not sure of the duty cycle...
Teflon coated or stainless fuel lines, you should be able ot buy the fuel line from summit in a coil or something.
Gas tank..the plastic one would not be good to use, you would need to line it with something, this would prob be the biggest pain right here...
Head...it may survive e85.
Tune, you will want to get a tune for e85, it will take a bit more fuel then gas, but, with a good tune, you will also make more power since it has a higher octane rating that would be safer for higher compression or more timing.
It will also smell like cheap liquor when you pass someone. At about 60 cents less then regular, and, premium being abohter 30-50 cents, there could be a savings in the long run, especially if you bought the parts second hand.
The biggest hurdle would be the gas tank. The pump, injectors, and, possibly the fuel lines could be used from a flex fuel ranger or taurus.
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15,669 Posts
Ford is testing flex fuel Focuses in Britain with plans to roll them out later this year IIRC.
But, as others have stated, there is no financially efficient way to convert your car to E85.
But, as others have stated, there is no financially efficient way to convert your car to E85.
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438 Posts
My buddy put E85 into his 2003 Civic and guess what he got?? A free ride in a tow truck and now his Civic pings and knocks...you try to save yourself a few cents at a gas station and end up buy a whole new engine for your car because you found out you were a cheap-ass scrooge.
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So now we have to buy another car to use the cheapier gas. Thats crap!
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I've heard people have tried to convert unsuceesfully. E85 from what I hear get slightly lower mileage than regular fuel cars. Not much. So even if the fuel is a little cheaper. Although I love the idea of the fuel burning so clean. I've heard cars can go 10K+ miles on their oil with E85.
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Yeah your wrong. Also octane ratings are not the issue they all burn same rate and this myth about changing your timing is getting old. Check out engine masters they finally did the octane episode and yes includes e85 ... and suprise no difference in power from 87 to 116oct and no difference..... HOWEVER E85 DID MAKE ALOT MORE POWER.
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Look guys ethanol has more OXYGEN its not about the octane. Please do yourselves and your pockets a favor and research octane ratings stop recycling myths and old thinking ... were better then that. Use your own brain.
Engine masters season 6 episode 81 .. YOUR WELCOME
Engine masters season 6 episode 81 .. YOUR WELCOME
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