NICHOLLSJL
Champion Author
Lincoln
Posts:3,102
Points:634,860
Joined:Feb 2004
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Message Posted: May 26, 2011 11:18:47 AM
1999 Ford escort ZX2 - I used a Flextek converter I bought from Brazil, because when I bought mine they didn't have anyone selling converters in the US.
Ran it on on straight E85 most of the time, some E30 if E85 price was too high.
5 years with around 100,000+ miles on E85.
I had an old fuel filter on that had regular gasoline ran through it for the first 50,000 miles of the cars life so the filter plugged up. I spent $11.00 to replace it.
Broke my transmission having fun romping on it; missed a gear and broke the internal shifting fork. oops
Fixed the shifting fork, ran it for another year or so and broke it again. The third gear didn't shift in to well from the first time. I knew I should of replaced that gear when I had it all apart.
Bought a 2000 escort ZX2 with high mileage and decided to convert it.
I'm in the middle of working on the cylinder head right now because the cam was wore out when I bought it.
I've ran this car for almost half a year on E85, can't believe how clean the injectors are. The valves look pretty good too, even with a bad cam not letting a couple of valves close all the way. No problem with the fuel filter on this car. I'm changing it now anyway with the engine being apart.
Here's picture of one of the injectors. It was hard to take the picture without it glaring back or being out of focus.
[Edited by: NICHOLLSJL at 5/26/2011 11:20:38 AM EST]
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ManuAK
Rookie Author
Anchorage
Posts:21
Points:4,970
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: May 25, 2011 6:39:16 PM
I'm waiting for the fully electric cars.
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ManuAK
Rookie Author
Anchorage
Posts:21
Points:4,970
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: May 25, 2011 6:38:46 PM
I wish I could do it, but in AK there is no corn, thus no E85. Besides, the big oil companies love to get the oil from AK and rip everybody off with prices as or more expensive than in CA.
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
Posts:20,124
Points:2,186,135
Joined:Apr 2006
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Message Posted: May 25, 2011 11:51:31 AM
"Using E85 is a great way to support the USA."
Sure if you believe that borrowing money from China to pay for a non-competitive fuel is a great way to support America...
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
Posts:20,124
Points:2,186,135
Joined:Apr 2006
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Message Posted: May 25, 2011 11:50:21 AM
"Either way, using Ethanol in your vehicle will help you and your vehicle out. Plus you're supporting your own country which I find is the most important part. I don't like the idea of funding terrorist countries with my gas money"
And yet, since E85 is 15% to 30% gasoline, you are indeed still "funding terrorist countries"...
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frystakholdings
Rookie Author
Wisconsin
Posts:2
Points:3,165
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: May 25, 2011 11:03:27 AM
I havent yet
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FIREJKP22
All-Star Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:588
Points:243,700
Joined:Feb 2003
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Message Posted: May 25, 2011 10:28:09 AM
Using E85 is a great way to support the USA.
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newsy44
Rookie Author
Barrie
Posts:15
Points:4,325
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: May 21, 2011 8:43:47 AM
No plan on converting!
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goldseeker
Champion Author
West Virginia
Posts:19,550
Points:2,719,790
Joined:Sep 2005
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Message Posted: May 21, 2011 3:04:12 AM
There are two ways to go. You can use a flextune module, or change your plugs and injectors. Both cost about the same about $400.
If it is an older carborated vehicle you may want to rebuild the carb and include larger injectors.
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Michael29644
Champion Author
Greenville
Posts:4,973
Points:844,250
Joined:Jan 2011
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Message Posted: May 21, 2011 12:19:00 AM
Could those who have converted please post your model year of vehicle? AIUI, later model non-flex vehicles are somewhat more tolerant of E85 than earlier ones.
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FIREJKP22
All-Star Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:588
Points:243,700
Joined:Feb 2003
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Message Posted: May 20, 2011 12:34:46 PM
It's easy to convert to E85. Go for it. The only problems most vehicle owners report is a CEL if they add too much E85 at one time. Gradually build it up. Your vehicle's computer will adjust. It's that easy to save money at the pump and to run your engine cleaner. Oh, and that easy to support the United States and not a foreign country.
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MertieMan
Champion Author
Lexington
Posts:14,793
Points:2,896,585
Joined:May 2005
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Message Posted: May 19, 2011 9:10:04 AM
I don't ever plan to do so.
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furball64801
Champion Author
Missouri
Posts:4,314
Points:113,265
Joined:Sep 2005
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Message Posted: May 18, 2011 5:07:17 PM
I have been running at least an 80% mix of E-85 for a few months. I have actually been running a high dose of it for 5 yrs with no conversion. You start out at about 20% and move up each month. I havent had one issue and my Pt Cruiser runs as smooth as silk.
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FIREJKP22
All-Star Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:588
Points:243,700
Joined:Feb 2003
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Message Posted: May 18, 2011 10:04:28 AM
I've been using 100% E85 in my non-flex fuel SUV without an issue at all. I've seen more power, and only a 1mpg decrease which the 60 cent a gallon difference makes up for that plus more. I've saving big money using Ethanol and as I said, I'm getting more power and better performance.
The best conversions are the flex fuel international conversion kits though if you're looking for a "kit". Or you can buy a program such as HPTuners and reprogram your vehicle's computer if you're good at that stuff.
Either way, using Ethanol in your vehicle will help you and your vehicle out. Plus you're supporting your own country which I find is the most important part. I don't like the idea of funding terrorist countries with my gas money.
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