Ethanol in Gasoline

Id rather have the octane with the ethanol. Also with a TR or BB it has no ability to adjust to the fuel the way a 512TR has. Ethanol is less dense so it can make a difference in the way it was tuned. On a TR the fuel hoses feeding the pumps, connecting the tanks and the return hoses need to be inspected because ethanol will accelerate their deterioration but not drastically if quality hose is used.

 

My car was tuned for FL fuel 93 octane/no ethanol. Brought it to CA and it’s running terribly rich on local ethanol 91 fuel (black smoke, fuel smell, popping). Decided not to drive it until it goes for a tune up next week. I’ll update after the check. I never thought gas would make such a difference.


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The gas would not have made that profound a difference. Something is wrong.

 

Thanks Brian, you are absolutely correct. I had the same feelings, but was not ready to get in the middle of all this fuel discussion. Personally, I would try the 89 octane non-ethanol fuel. The car might run fine with it.

 

Why the heartburn over using 89 AKI gasoline in a (lowish compression) TR? Ferrari's specification for gasoline in a TR is 91 RON minimum = which is about 86~87 AKI. (Europe uses the RON gasoline rating system; the US uses the AKI gasoline rating system on the gas station fuel pumps.)

They typically add ethanol to raise the octane rating of gasolines, but it reduces MPG. IMO, 89 AKI non-ethanol gasoline would be perfect for a TR.

 

No. Ethanol is added for EPA compliance. The higher octane of ethanol means the refiners can use a lower octane base gasoline to make the octane numbers needed to match those yellow sticker mandated by the FTC.

 

and to get the farmers/ big ag vote.
its a corn subsidy.

 

California has their own special boutique crap fuel.

 

No, although ethanol is added to gasoline to promote faux-greenism and for EPA compliance, it also increases the octane rating:

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/octane.shtml

9th FAQ down -- so please retract your "No"

 

I don't dispute that -- you're the one who effectively said "No, ethanol content doesn't raise the octane rating" -- WRONG!

 

My experience one time I mistakenly put 90 in the car was mild wot pinging.
The pump ethanol fuel is crap.
I run a mix of that with 100 race fuel which also has ethanol m. It runs so much better, no less down stumbles throttle so much sharper.
Since the bbi cannot adjust timing for the higher octane my conclusion is there’s e ful base stock just burns so much cleaner.

on the mapped e46 m3 that 50% race fuel has a dramatic effect on throttle response and tq. It’s just a different revy car

 

Thanks for the input. Funny enough I also have an e46 M3. I was considering the idea of mixing higher octane gas. What mix ratio do you use when adding race fuel?

It’s going today to the specialist for a tune up. We will see what he says.


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I do 50% 100 with 50% 93, more than that makes no difference