I was watching the WGN special on the Chicago Auto Show tonight and on it they had a little segment about E85 and flexfuel vehicles. What are the chances of seeing this in a Camaro engine? Also, and probably more importantly, what compromise do you incure when you use E85? How much of a performance handicap do you run into? Any increase/decrease in MPG? Difference in price per gallon?

 

i'd like to see a hybrid version as well.

 

A study was done on GM, Ford and Toyota E85 flex fuel vehicles.

The outcome was something like this:

Slight decrease in mpg for GM, Ford and Toyota.

Significant increase in horsepower for GM FF vehics.
Slight horsepower increase for Ford FF vehics.
Slight horsepower LOSS of Toyota vehics.

In other words, GM has the flex fuel technology down. Ford is right up there. Toyota doesn't cut it. This is another reason for Toyota to push their Hybrids...which are currently going to suit for technology infringement. It seems Toyota stole someone else's technology and didn't pay royalty.

The ethanol industry is growing like gang busters, and the growth rate is expected to increase even more. GM is pushing the hell out of E85 - as they already have about 2.5 million fluex fuel vehics out there already. GM is working closely with the industry to increase the E85 fuel outlets as well - with sizeable goals such as increasing the fueling points by up to 30% over the next year. While that is still just a drop in the bucket, it is another indication of GM's E85 push.

So with that said, I think its highly possible we'll se at least one variant of the Camaro with an E85 capable engine. Besides, it would be an additional selling point. Imagine GM using the marketing spin of "Green" for the Camaro.

 

You'll get a kick out of this from Lutz, if you're thinking along those lines...
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/n...f-6377ba7c07c9
Best regardSS,

Elie

 

 

By the way everyone drink more beer! Preferably Coors, the use the overflow/spilled beer and turn it into ethanol for E85.

 

So how different is a Flexfuel engine than a regular gas engine? What changes are made to it and is there any idea how tuner friendly E85 is? or is that out of the question?

 

Alcohol injection

 

I'd bet a $100 that sometime soon the camaro will have an e-85 option

 

E85 is a ruse. Haven't we beaten this horse to death already?

 

Yeah. And we decieded it was not a ruse. Stop using 12 year old data to see if something is feisable

Engine is the same. The difference is the fuel system. E85 eats through the fuel lines/filter/injectors of normal cars. So a Flexfuel car will have upgraded parts there.

E85 is a higher octane. This allows the engine have a higher compression ratio and produce more power. Gm FFVs have a sensor in them that notices the level of ethanol present in the gas, and adjust the tune accordingly. (im sure every company those that) That is why the FFV will have more power when they are running e85 than normal gas.

 

You still get the mpg penalty using it, even if the comp does up the timing to boost power. Environmentally/socially, should we be taking tillable land and food and using it as a fuel basis?

 

What kind of mpg penalty is there?? Are there any good websites out there that offer good facts and figures about E85, that are nonbiased?

 

The U.S. already has an incredible amount of surplus corn(source of ethanol). As it stands farmers are actually paid by the government to NOT plant crops on certain land to keep production down so prices are kept high enough for people to make a living. If anything this would be a great boost for the farming industry, and would have no tangable effect on the U.S. food source.

 

I just started a thread in the future vehicles forum on this topic.

Here's a good link for some real info on E85. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85

It's not a ruse, but it's not perfect either. There's no silver bullit solution, but IMO E85 is worth it as long as there is a large enough price advantage.