Another happy E85 convert

[87-WE2]

Thanks to everyone's help in the E85 forum, I've now got a happily corn-fed GN.

Racetronix DP with 2x Walbro 255lph pumps installed over the weekend. New multi-fuel hoses over the axle, but I will soon be installing -8 feed and -6 return lines thanks to sakudog's write-up. I'm only running on one pump for now. I've got a few more things to get before I need the second one. TurboTweak E85 chip.

The thing runs like a bat out of hell! After blowing the MBC hoses off a couple of times, I zip-tied them. I've also had to zip-tie all my vacuum lines at the block! I've been able to squeeze 22psi out of the stock turbo with no knock at all. My MBC is maxed out for now until I get some washers in it. At what point is an increase in boost on the stock turbo pointless??? My O2's are running 796 lowest at top of 3rd and I've not touched fueling or timing in the chip. Everything seems to be really safe, but I'd like some input from some of you pro's as to what to look for with regards to any issues.

I have experienced a couple of weird things, though. The car used to shift to OD at 98-99 mph before the conversion. It now shifts at a consistent 102 mph, but the RPM's there seem no different than before. Is this just because of the extra power the motor has?

Other thing is, my 1-2 shifts used to be very firm, barking the tires sometimes at WOT. Now they are a little mushy. Is this what is called "driving through the converter", or could it be "flaring" or an indication that it is time for a rebuild? 2-3 shift are still nice and firm. If I get the chance in the next week, I'm going to pull the pan & replace the fluid just in case.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks to everybody on here. I know I didn't get any real help directly from you guys, but all the info posted on the board was immensely helpful. Racetronix deserves a pretty big thanks also for making the wiring for their DP system pretty dummy-proof.

Any input from you guys on the trans would be welcomed!!!

 

[QWKRTNU]

Did u put colder plugs in?

 

[87-WE2]

No change in plug - I'm pretty sure I have Autolite 23's in there. Should I go different?

 

[Racetronix]

Thanks to everyone's help in the E85 forum, I've now got a happily corn-fed GN.

Racetronix DP with 2x Walbro 255lph pumps installed over the weekend. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks to everybody on here. I know I didn't get any real help directly from you guys, but all the info posted on the board was immensely helpful. Racetronix deserves a pretty big thanks also for making the wiring for their DP system pretty dummy-proof.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

Good for you Dude.
Did you have ALKY on the car?
if so are you still using it?

 

[MikeL.]

drop down a heat range from the 23's and if you data log, watch what your duty cycle is with only running one pump. You need volume when running e-85.

I bet with your new found power, the band is glazed or pulling the pin out a little from the case and it's not 'hitting' second gear like it used too. My stock band made it to 59k. you did better than me if you made it to 65k.

 

[Way2QWK]

I would try a Non-projected tip plug a couple heat ranges colder. Maybe a Autolite AR134 down to a 132

 

[87-WE2]

Good for you Dude.
Did you have ALKY on the car?
if so are you still using it?

Not running meth injection. I decided to run ETH injection instead and love it!

drop down a heat range from the 23's and if you data log, watch what your duty cycle is with only running one pump. You need volume when running e-85.

I bet with your new found power, the band is glazed or pulling the pin out a little from the case and it's not 'hitting' second gear like it used too. My stock band made it to 59k. you did better than me if you made it to 65k.

10-4 on the colder plug, but I figured I was OK with the 23's. They're two heat ranges colder than stock. I'm glad that was mentioned. I'll have to do some more research on what everyone else is doing for plugs with E85.
I'm thinking with stock turbo, I should be OK with the 60's, but will watch the O2's carefully. That based on the advice from Eric. Once I get my WB O2 and P-Logger, that'll make it easier to keep an eye on IDC. The new fuel lines will help, too in case I need to run the second pump!

I would try a Non-projected tip plug a couple heat ranges colder. Maybe a Autolite AR134 down to a 132

Thanks for the pointer on plugs!

 

[696]

My Racetronix DP is on it's way and SHOULD be here Mon. I already have the -8 feed and -6 return in (makes it easier when you know what the fitting are going to be ) but I decided to go with the (2) 340's. Hope to have it all in my BG!!!

 

[Ttype6]

The new fuel lines will help, too in case I need to run the second pump!

You don't need new fuel lines.

 

[87-WE2]

Thanks, but while changing the pump and i had the metal lines from above the tank to the rubber over the axle off, i blew the lines out with some air. Quite a bit of crud came out. It may not be necessary, but i'm going to do it for peace of mind.

 

[GetOwnedVette]

Glad you are having fun!!!! I can't speak for others but for myself and local Gn buddies 22#'s on the stock turbo seems to be where we all stop. An unopened motor turbo buick on 22#s with a 3'DP, exhaust, adjustable Wg rod, fuel pump, injectors and chip on some decent radials and race gas goes high 11s all day. Don't see many push it past 22#s around here

 

[87-WE2]

Glad you are having fun!!!! I can't speak for others but for myself and local Gn buddies 22#'s on the stock turbo seems to be where we all stop. An unopened motor turbo buick on 22#s with a 3'DP, exhaust, adjustable Wg rod, fuel pump, injectors and chip on some decent radials and race gas goes high 11s all day. Don't see many push it past 22#s around here

I'd be thrilled to bust into the 11's!! If going E85 knocks 1.5 off my ET that would be FANTASTIC! Can't wait to get some good air on a Friday night in Houston to go to the track.

 

[sakudog]

Great to hear everything came out great! Let me know if you have any questions on the fuel line install.

 

[87-WE2]

I'm concerned with the plugs now. I'd hate for something as small as the plugs to cause a huge problem. How will i know which are the "right" plugs?

Someone recommended AR134 down to 132. Do i just need to buy a set of each and read them to figure whats best??

Edit: also, would i be able to squeeze more boost out of the stock turbo if I went to a different intercooler? I'm thinking about a PTE SLIC - no plans for a FMIC ever (right now)!!

 

[87-WE2]

Thanks for everyone's advice. New personal best with E85 and 22PSI on a basically stock combo below. I feel somewhat successful. There were a few other TR's there Friday night at the track. One was in disbelief of what I ran with my basically stock combo. A couple of the others were non-believers in E85! One guy told me to let him know how it was running after a year of putting E85 through it - I hope to show him with an 11-second time slip soon.

On to intercoolers, turbos, downpipes, WBo2's, PL's, timing sets, etc.

Did I mention I love E85?!?!?!?

 

[Rafs-T-Type]

Nice and congrats!

 

[jasjamz]

I'm concerned with the plugs now. I'd hate for something as small as the plugs to cause a huge problem. How will i know which are the "right" plugs?

Someone recommended AR134 down to 132. Do i just need to buy a set of each and read them to figure whats best??

Edit: also, would i be able to squeeze more boost out of the stock turbo if I went to a different intercooler? I'm thinking about a PTE SLIC - no plans for a FMIC ever (right now)!!

Nice Job!!