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Switching to e30 tune

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Boone
#1
So ive been looking all over Google and can't find what I'm looking for. I just finished with my first 100 miles of dizzys stage 2 93 tune and im pretty happy with it. Def feels like more power and way better throttle response. Now I'm ready to put some e85 in. My question is when after I put 3 gal of e85 in do I actually switch the tune? Immediately? Wait a few miles of driving then pull over and switch?
 


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Los Angeles
#2
Fill up with the blend, switch your tune, and you're good to go. That simple. Maybe don't do a pull right out of the gas station so you've had time for the mix to reach the cylinders, but you're fine lol.

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Spork1569

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#3
So ive been looking all over Google and can't find what I'm looking for. I just finished with my first 100 miles of dizzys stage 2 93 tune and im pretty happy with it. Def feels like more power and way better throttle response. Now I'm ready to put some e85 in. My question is when after I put 3 gal of e85 in do I actually switch the tune? Immediately? Wait a few miles of driving then pull over and switch?
I usually put the tune on after the drive home of it's my first fill-up with ethanol. Sometimes when I'm lazy I fill up with 91 and get e85 later and those 5 or 10 miles make sure the ethanol is in the fuel system before going hard on the car.
 


FJ16

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Wichita, KS, USA
#4
In a slightly related question for someone in the same boat - where can you find 3 gallon gas cans? I can find a ton of 1, 2, 2.5, and 5 gallon but not a single 3... I want to make fillups as painless as possible.
 


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Los Angeles
#5
In a slightly related question for someone in the same boat - where can you find 3 gallon gas cans? I can find a ton of 1, 2, 2.5, and 5 gallon but not a single 3... I want to make fillups as painless as possible.
I fill up at stations that happen to have both, so thankfully I don't have to worry about that. But in that scenario, I would personally fill up a 5 gallon. This way I can use that to fill a 2 gallon, leaving 3 inside. I know it sounds like more work, but it seems like the easiest work around.

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Spork1569

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#6
In a slightly related question for someone in the same boat - where can you find 3 gallon gas cans? I can find a ton of 1, 2, 2.5, and 5 gallon but not a single 3... I want to make fillups as painless as possible.
I would just use the 5 gallon and use the pump meter to measure the gallons. For E30 times you don't usually have to be exact as they can accommodate a range of ethanol blends.

But most of us just use whatever pump gas is at the e85 station. The one I go to has them right next to each other so I usually add 3 gallons of e85 if my tank is pretty much empty and too off with 91.
 


gtx3076

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#9
Fill up with the blend, switch your tune, and you're good to go. That simple. Maybe don't do a pull right out of the gas station so you've had time for the mix to reach the cylinders, but you're fine lol.

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Exactly, it took some time for the OAR to adjust to -1. Remember, there will be 93 to burn in your fuel lines, and the ethanol will need to slosh around a bit to mix well. I think I drove several miles at -0.50, and I was beginning to question ethanol percentage from the pump, but it eventually moved to -0.95 then -1. So don't go romping on it right away.
 


SrsBsns

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#11
62210d05374cda7d-600x338.jpg

Ok, so I'm ready to make the switch too but I'm lazy and like to run one tune all the time. I don't like the idea of bouncing back and forth or with using a tester every time I fill up. I have access to a few stations around here that sell E85. So, is it just 3 gallons of E85 and then the rest 91? Does it matter if I'm filling up and my tank isn't totally empty?

Basically, is there a guide to using this that makes it simple? Am I over complicating it?
 


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Los Angeles
#12
View attachment 24308

Ok, so I'm ready to make the switch too but I'm lazy and like to run one tune all the time. I don't like the idea of bouncing back and forth or with using a tester every time I fill up. I have access to a few stations around here that sell E85. So, is it just 3 gallons of E85 and then the rest 91? Does it matter if I'm filling up and my tank isn't totally empty?

Basically, is there a guide to using this that makes it simple? Am I over complicating it?
You're over complicating it. As long as you're under a 1/4 tank, 3 gallons of e85 the rest with pump gas you'll be ok. It's when you try to top up your tank that you have to start doing the math.

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Spork1569

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#13
View attachment 24308

Ok, so I'm ready to make the switch too but I'm lazy and like to run one tune all the time. I don't like the idea of bouncing back and forth or with using a tester every time I fill up. I have access to a few stations around here that sell E85. So, is it just 3 gallons of E85 and then the rest 91? Does it matter if I'm filling up and my tank isn't totally empty?

Basically, is there a guide to using this that makes it simple? Am I over complicating it?
I only tested once or twice and my station seems consistent so far, no negative corrections or errors of any kind.

I fill up at about a quarter tank and put in about 3 gallons and the rest 91. This should put you over a bit past E30 but I would rather run more than not enough if anything. The tune can compensate for a range of ethanol blends so it doesn't need to be exactly E30.

There's apps on both Android and iPhone where you can calculate how much of each fuel you need to reach the desired mix. These work pretty well and have been accurate for me thus far. I did however put the tank size as 11 gallons as opposed to 12 as that's what the car seems to hold when almost completely empty for me
 


SrsBsns

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#14
Thanks, this is helpful.

I only have a few stations and they're mostly by my work, rather than by my house, so I'll need to be more conscious of when I go to fill up. Basically, if I'm at a 1/4 tank, I should fill up instead of waiting for the light to come on and worrying if I'll be able to find something quickly enough.

Are there any other things that need to be considered? If I'm filling up with the E30 mix consistently, I'd never really have to change the tune, right? Unless I go back to 91.
 


Spork1569

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#15
Thanks, this is helpful.

I only have a few stations and they're mostly by my work, rather than by my house, so I'll need to be more conscious of when I go to fill up. Basically, if I'm at a 1/4 tank, I should fill up instead of waiting for the light to come on and worrying if I'll be able to find something quickly enough.

Are there any other things that need to be considered? If I'm filling up with the E30 mix consistently, I'd never really have to change the tune, right? Unless I go back to 91.
Yeah pretty much it, one thing to note is your mileage may drop a little due to the ethanol not storing as much energy as gasoline. Mine dropped about 2-3 mpg depending on how lead food happy I feel, but the difference in power is pretty noticeable and worth the hit.
 


TyphoonFiST

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#16
I cant say it enough....If you don't wanna play the game of measuring tools and testing the e85 for its purity...Just get a gauge setup from Jason@ Dizzy tuning or Fuelitts ethanol analyzer kit with blue tooth sensor and monitor it from your phone. I am happy I did..it has made blending 10 X easier...Food for thought!
 


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Location
Bremerton
#17
To avoid the hassle, I run 5 gallons of E85 when the fuel light comes on. That puts you right at E40 blend. *MY* car runs better with a stronger mix.
 


Messages
18
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11
Location
Sacramento
#18
Thanks, this is helpful.

I only have a few stations and they're mostly by my work, rather than by my house, so I'll need to be more conscious of when I go to fill up. Basically, if I'm at a 1/4 tank, I should fill up instead of waiting for the light to come on and worrying if I'll be able to find something quickly enough.

Are there any other things that need to be considered? If I'm filling up with the E30 mix consistently, I'd never really have to change the tune, right? Unless I go back to 91.
I use a 2.5 gallon container (filled with 2.8 gallons of e85) and then top off with 5.8-6 gallons of 91. Where I live and fuel up, the local chevron has 5% ethanol.

I use this calculator: http://www.georgebelton.com/E85Calculator.php

Typically, the e85 pumps where I get my fuel from read 82%-85%. Those factored in, i get a ballpark e29 to e31. Ive blended e85 and 91 using the same ratio and per the fuelit tester, I’m at e30.

Also, 2.8 gallons + 5.9 gallons is 8.7 gallons or +70% e30 fuel into your tank. At 25%, this tops you up to 95%.

————

If I’m feeling lazy, I just go to the e85 pump...fuel up...disengage my e-brake and push my car to the 91 pump.

Having 2.5 gallons that allow for up to 2.8 gallons of fuel comes in handy for longer trips though. For road trips, expect around 250 miles before you have a quarter tank left... two of those 2.5 gallon cans Fit perfectly in the footwell area of the back seats so they don’t roll around.

I got my cans from Walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/No-Spill-2-5-Gallon-Easy-Can/660681379

One full year. Between my RS and ST the past year (14k miles on the RS, 13k on the fiesta), all 4 of my cans have held up. No leaks in The Cali valley weather of yearly lows in the low-mid 30’s and highs up to 115 degrees.
 


SrsBsns

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Location
San Diego
#19
I use a 2.5 gallon container (filled with 2.8 gallons of e85) and then top off with 5.8-6 gallons of 91. Where I live and fuel up, the local chevron has 5% ethanol.

I use this calculator: http://www.georgebelton.com/E85Calculator.php

Typically, the e85 pumps where I get my fuel from read 82%-85%. Those factored in, i get a ballpark e29 to e31. Ive blended e85 and 91 using the same ratio and per the fuelit tester, I’m at e30.

Also, 2.8 gallons + 5.9 gallons is 8.7 gallons or +70% e30 fuel into your tank. At 25%, this tops you up to 95%.

————

If I’m feeling lazy, I just go to the e85 pump...fuel up...disengage my e-brake and push my car to the 91 pump.

Having 2.5 gallons that allow for up to 2.8 gallons of fuel comes in handy for longer trips though. For road trips, expect around 250 miles before you have a quarter tank left... two of those 2.5 gallon cans Fit perfectly in the footwell area of the back seats so they don’t roll around.

I got my cans from Walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/No-Spill-2-5-Gallon-Easy-Can/660681379

One full year. Between my RS and ST the past year (14k miles on the RS, 13k on the fiesta), all 4 of my cans have held up. No leaks in The Cali valley weather of yearly lows in the low-mid 30’s and highs up to 115 degrees.
14608107_1180665285312703_1558693314_n.jpg

Thanks. That's a good idea. Your car doesn't smell with the tank of E85 behind your seat? Do you only keep it in the car when you're doing longer trips and expect to fuel up without needing to find E85?

I think I'll wind up getting a tester and using it until I'm comfortable knowing that I've got the right mix. I'm glad to hear that there seems to be some flexibility and that it doesn't have to be 100% perfect.

I contacted Stratified last night to ask them about updating my 91 tune to add the E30 combo tune.

I cant say it enough....If you don't wanna play the game of measuring tools and testing the e85 for its purity...Just get a gauge setup from Jason@ Dizzy tuning or Fuelitts ethanol analyzer kit with blue tooth sensor and monitor it from your phone. I am happy I did..it has made blending 10 X easier...Food for thought!
I went on to Jason's site last night and it looks like they're sold out ATM. Plus, another $400 to run that gauge seems pretty steep for pure convenience, but I guess it's good peace of mind.
 


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18
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11
Location
Sacramento
#20
If it’s not leaking, you’re not gonna smell the e85. If there’s altitude change, do note that the gas can will puff up some.

Never had issues with my cans leaking that corn juice smell.

You don’t always have to test e85. If you want to, it doesn’t even have to be on the spot either. Just take samples from your can. Then label the percentage. Then use the calculator and find out how much you have to mix with the quantity of XX% e85 you have in the can.
 


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