Running Solaras on ethanol (e85) works!

[RDKamikaze]

No problem! Doing my research paper opened up my eyes to all these possibilities. My goal now is to get the most mpg out my Solara as I can while still enjoying riding it hard when I want.

Here's where you can find e85 sellers in your area, if any:
www.e85refueling.com

And to check (or submit) the most recent prices the stations are charging (really helpful):
www.e85prices.com

For the emblem, it isn't free but if you order a kit it's only $10, no extra shipping in the same order. I didn't do that, but yet put on a small window decal that they sent with the kit that's about 2 inches long. It looks really cool!

[Jakecallun20]

Thanks RD, I appreciate it. Do let us know how your first tank of E85 goes!

[RDKamikaze]

Oh, I'm running on my fourth tanki right now. What is reccommended is to run your car on a fill consisting of 1/3 ethanol and 2/3 gas mixed to clean out the fuel filter and any other dirty components from gasoline. After that, install the kit and run how the company tells you to (usually 10-60 miles JUST gas and then 1/2 and 1/2 fir the first tank). My car is just loving this stuff, I'm so happy that I did it. I can't wait to see how the hydrogren project works.

[hskrsolara]

Knowing that ethanol burns at a higher temperature, have you researched anything on possible exhaust temp increases or exhaust valve damage due to the extra heat? I know that some of the older toyotas had problems burning E-10...due to the extra heat. I burned up 2 exhaust valves on my old camry and the mechanic that did my head work said he is seeing more and more damaged/burnt valves due to running ethanol.

I would find it hard to believe that there is no internal work needed for E-85. Hopefully, you're right.

[Jakecallun20]

What are you getting, gas mileage wise? Is it the same, or is it actually a little worse?

[RDKamikaze]

There was a study done in late 90's? where the group drove a car for 100k miles on ethanol. When they tore the engine and stuff apart, they noticed that it was in the same health as a normal car around 80k miles.

Not every car ONLY need a kit to run well. MR2's, STi's, and Evo's require some work to be done to run ethanol well and efficiently.

Gas milage-wise, I'm getting 3mpg better on the freeway, which is better than usual. Normal results are reported around a 5-20% decrease in milage, but not every car is the same.

[Projex0]

any pics of this on ur car? and the module?

[RDKamikaze]

I'll get some for you in the morning. And one of the window decal for anyone who's interested in it too.

[Jakecallun20]

You have V6 right?

[RDKamikaze]

No, I've only got the 4cyl version . But it's got a bit of get-up-and-go!

[no_escape]

Not trying to be a d*ck here but I'll never run Eathnol in anything. Reason being it's hurting the farmers who need to feed their livestock with feed. It drives the price of corn WAY up also bringing up the price of food that uses corn up as well. The high prices also is making it more expensive to help hunger in 3rd world countries.

But like I said not trying to be a d*ck, just letting you know the other side of the fence.

[RDKamikaze]

Like I said earlier, corn isn't the only thing ethanol can be made from. And it's definately not pushing up prices of corn as the government or gas companies would have you think. It can be made from anything that has sugar and yeast. There is a big push right now for making it with trash and surag cane. Just thought I'd let you know again.

[Netforcer]

How's your gas mileage?

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=3972760
http://www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/1147098565893.xml

I drive mostly highway... so i don't think i'm going to convert unless i see solid mileage claims

[Jon11582]

Like I said earlier, corn isn't the only thing ethanol can be made from. And it's definately not pushing up prices of corn as the government or gas companies would have you think. It can be made from anything that has sugar and yeast. There is a big push right now for making it with trash and surag cane. Just thought I'd let you know again.

In the US, its mostly corn, for now. Research is being done in this field to use agricultural waste to make ethanol, but thats in a 2-3 year timeframe. For now its just mostly corn. It cannot yet be made from yeast efficiently. Sugar cane is Brazil's territory, most of the US doesn't have the correct climate to produce sugar cane.

Since more ethanol is being demanded by the government, they need to make more corn for ethanol, and this displaces fields that were used for corn or wheat for human consumption as well. Wheat in particular has had some crazy inflation because wheat used to be a core cash crop, but cant compete with corn with ethanol subsidies.

And Texas have asked for a reprieve on the ethanol mandate due to raising food and cattle feed prices.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/s ... siteid=rss

[no_escape]

Like I said earlier, corn isn't the only thing ethanol can be made from. And it's definately not pushing up prices of corn as the government or gas companies would have you think. It can be made from anything that has sugar and yeast. There is a big push right now for making it with trash and surag cane. Just thought I'd let you know again.

In the US, its mostly corn, for now. Research is being done in this field to use agricultural waste to make ethanol, but thats in a 2-3 year timeframe. For now its just mostly corn. It cannot yet be made from yeast efficiently. Sugar cane is Brazil's territory, most of the US doesn't have the correct climate to produce sugar cane.

Since more ethanol is being demanded by the government, they need to make more corn for ethanol, and this displaces fields that were used for corn or wheat for human consumption as well. Wheat in particular has had some crazy inflation because wheat used to be a core cash crop, but cant compete with corn with ethanol subsidies.

And Texas have asked for a reprieve on the ethanol mandate due to raising food and cattle feed prices.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/s ... siteid=rss

Jon, you took the words out of my mouth.