Just been reading up about the Lotus E85 Exige, and the relative advantages/disadvantages of running E85. This got me thinking - I was wondering what fuels people use on here when they are racing etc to get as much power as possible.
I believe I get a noticable difference with ‘super’ over regular unleaded, (just regular Tesco pump Super), but clearly as we are racing the car it may be worth going to a little extra effort to get some decent fuel in the vehicle. What do people on here use? I think race fuels are a tad expensive (just looking into this now) but would like to explore all the options thoroughly.
Where are you racing and in what series. If it is in UK E85 is not allowed in racing or speed events unless the Championship regulations declare it and the organisers have written permission from the MSA. The only acceptable fuel is ‘pump fuel’.
I thought E85 is available on some forecourts??
I looked at this last year for the 2-11, got talked out of it by the factory as lots needed to be changed.
You can use the 100+ racing fuel but unless your car has been mapped for it you may aswell just use 98/Super.
Yes I wasn’t really going to go to all of the trouble of going down the E85 route…we are racing in Time Attack and E85 is allowed. I was looking at various race fuels, some of which aren’t ‘too’ expensive (some are ridiculous), but was wondering how effective they would be given that we would only run the car on it at the event; I have no idea how long it takes the ECU to sort itself out or even if it does do this?
Surely some higher octane race fuels would give higher bhp figures? I realise I wouldn’t necessarily get the most power out of it that I could, but I should get more than I would with pump fuel.
Gav,
What did the factory guys say required changing to run E85? ECU and injectors or far more? We were considering it for rallying to try and close the gap with 250 bhp 2 litre N/A escorts.
It’s should be a cheaper option than the rocket fuel that the WRC cars are using e.g. Focus and Subaru WRC’s at �5+ per litre. Some guys are spending an extra �500 per event on that stuff. I’m told that they don’t have an option as the cars won’t run a standard fuel without significant mechanical engine mods as well as ECU, probably due to compression ratio. Then again it’s small change when you’ve spent �250k on a clubman rally car (I’d do the same if I could :/).
It is, but only a few and the MSA will not let you use it unless the regs say you can and they have approved them. What follows is extracted rom the Blue Book for 2010
J5.13.4. Use Pump Fuel (see definition Nomenclature and Definitions) except, subject to prior written
authority having been given by the MSA, where permitted otherwise under event SRs, and Championship Regulations.
Pump Fuel
(a) Petrol: Motor Gasoline of the type on sale to the general public from UK roadside filling stations(see Appendix 1):
BS4040 (leaded) subject to possession of a valid permit for use, LRG (unleaded) in lieu of a BS or EN standard (TBA), BS EN 228 (unleaded) and BS7800 (super-unleaded). Petrol is a product refined from crude oil that contains a large number of identifiable compounds that can typically be 250 in number. These compounds can be identified and compared to the available petrol from major oil companies and suppliers. Unless otherwise stated or the distinction is made between leaded and unleaded petrol, the motor gasoline fuel shall meet the following: Acceptance levels for Octane Numbers will be accepted or neglected according to the Standard ASTM D. 3244. Only additives to this Motor Gasoline Fuel solely for the purpose of lead replacement are allowed. Lead Replacement Gasoline (LRG, also known as LRP): Only additives from Sodium, Phosphorous, Potassium or Manganese according to manufacturers� recommendations are allowed. Note manganese can enhance octane values in any petrol. Under no circumstances will values in excess of 0.005 gms/litre be permitted. Lead in excess of EU Directive 98/70 EC requirements is illegal. This also applies to �Free Fuel�.
(b) LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) which is of 99% wt. min. hydrocarbon composition and that is entirely gaseous at atmospheric temperature and pressure. Complying with BS ENS89.
(c) Diesel Automotive Gas Oil (DERV) on general sale to the public at roadside filling stations in the UK, complying with BS EN 590 and EU Directive 98/70 EC (see Appendix 1).
(d) Bio Ethanol � Only permitted to be used with the specific approval of the MSA. Specifications available from the MSA Technical Department.
(e) Bio Diesel � Only permitted to be used with the specific approval of the MSA. Specifications available from the MSA Technical Department.
The MSA reserves the right to amend these details to reflect any change occurring in the quality of fuel on general sale to the public in the UK.
Paul, Jez and Co. were all happy for me to run when I pitched the idea to them although didnt get as far as asking the MSA…
As I recall everything on the fuel side of things needed changed out- lines, tank, injectors, pump, ecu, sensors etc. etc
Gav
It’s anything with nitrile in it ie. seals, hoses etc that has to be changed to viton to enable you to use ethanol, so Gav’s list above covers it. If you didn’t change these, the E85 will eat through eventually and escape…
The pump fuel regs have been around long enough now that most unleaded race fuels will meet these regs. The benefits of race fuel is that it’s designed to be stored so it doesn’t ‘go off’ like normal stuff can so you are way more likely to get the stated octane rating.
I’ve had a certain brand of ‘superVultimate’ tested in the past that came out barely better than regular unleaded, put a dose of that through an engine that’s been mapped to within an inch of its life on genuine 99 and it will do it no good at all!
Weren’t BP supposed to sell Ultimate102 at a very few selected stations around the country a while back? Never saw it!
So, do we think it’s worth going for a ‘regular’ race fuel or not? Its one of those things that seems pretty expensive on the face of it @ �2-�2/litre (and clearly more will be needed if the cars ECU takes ages to adjust to it etc).
But if you can run a small amount on race day and get a few more bhp and Nm’s, then surely the extra cost of 20/30 litres of fuel (maybe �40-�60 more over pump fuel) is surely worth it in the grand scheme of things? I suppose my question is, will the Toyota Engine get any benefit out of running higher octane fuels, or is it a case of suck it and see?