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Old 01-10-2014, 07:54 PM   #1
chilakas
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Default Is e85 a bad idea for me?

Hi there! So basically I would like your input on weather e85 is a bad idea for me? I have a Wrx 2003, the has 150k miles on it and it had been burning oil for some time now. I realize I need a rebuilt to fix.this, but I was wondering if I could enjoy the e85 benefits until I can get my engine built. Our would this cause it to prematurely fail? the engine is still very strong just have to keep adding oil. I am running a 18g on 22psi, with all the supporting mods
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Old 01-10-2014, 08:06 PM   #2
Drewswrx
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I don't think e85 would be a bad idea. Something for your oil issue, if you get a Grimmspeed air oil seperator this could help cause the oil it seperated from the air goes right back to your oil pan.
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Old 01-10-2014, 08:09 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by chilakas View Post
Hi there! So basically I would like your input on weather e85 is a bad idea for me? I have a Wrx 2003, the has 150k miles on it and it had been burning oil for some time now. I realize I need a rebuilt to fix.this, but I was wondering if I could enjoy the e85 benefits until I can get my engine built. Our would this cause it to prematurely fail? the engine is still very strong just have to keep adding oil. I am running a 18g on 22psi, with all the supporting mods
Mmmh.. yes and no? Depends if you plan on pushing more out of it. Or just getting a simple tune to run e85 to get ready.

If i was you i would just wait til after the rebuild. Unless you want to really push the car. Make it go boom that much sooner and have a excuse to rebuild sooner. Plus going e85 now will just be a added cost aince you will most likely be getting a retune after rebuilding engine.
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Old 01-10-2014, 08:16 PM   #4
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That's really why i want to go to e85 so i can have more hp. I been at this power level for some time. I need more power. I just want to know if this will blow my motor quickly. If it really won't than i want to go for it
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Old 01-10-2014, 08:21 PM   #5
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It shouldnt, if anything might help it last a little longer, lower cylinder temps? but thats speculation, no data to back that up. Need bigger injectors if your on the stockers or 565's
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Old 01-10-2014, 08:37 PM   #6
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Yeah I know I need bigger injectors and a tune but that's a small price to pay for that added power. I think!
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Old 01-10-2014, 08:42 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Drewswrx View Post
I don't think e85 would be a bad idea. Something for your oil issue, if you get a Grimmspeed air oil seperator this could help cause the oil it seperated from the air goes right back to your oil pan.
Would that grimmspeed oil separator really help, I mean I'm burning about a quart every other week. I would buy it but its not cheap its 300. I mean if really helped I would go for it, but if out does not. That's allot of money for something that did not work.
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Old 01-10-2014, 11:36 PM   #8
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I'm burning about a quart every other week.
No, it wouldn't help this issue. That's bad, get that fixed. As far as using E85, it's not a bad idea...just don't go for bigger power.
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Old 01-11-2014, 12:21 AM   #9
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No, it wouldn't help this issue. That's bad, get that fixed. As far as using E85, it's not a bad idea...just don't go for bigger power.
well that's the point, if not for bigger power why would I really do it ?
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Old 01-11-2014, 12:26 AM   #10
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As far as air/oil separator goes, I prefer the Moroso unit.
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Old 01-11-2014, 01:39 AM   #11
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a quart a week being BURNED is a wasted engine. time for a rebuild.
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Old 01-12-2014, 02:09 PM   #12
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I doubt he's burning that much oil due to the pcv system lol. His rings are shot, rebuild.

I spent about $1300 going to e85 (includes tune and all wrenching done by me).

Waste O' money on a dying motor.
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Old 01-12-2014, 06:23 PM   #13
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Really? You're asking if you should put work into the car to make it faster instead of making it run?

Really? I don't get it.
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Old 01-12-2014, 10:41 PM   #14
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I doubt he's burning that much oil due to the pcv system lol. His rings are shot, rebuild.

I spent about $1300 going to e85 (includes tune and all wrenching done by me).

Waste O' money on a dying motor.
I'm going to go with e85 with the rebuilt motor anyways, so if I do it now all I would need is a tune, and I'm sure this motor will last another year if not longer, the oil consumption is the only issue other than that it still a strong motor.
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Old 01-12-2014, 10:48 PM   #15
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I'm going to go with e85 with the rebuilt motor anyways, so if I do it now all I would need is a tune, and I'm sure this motor will last another year if not longer, the oil consumption is the only issue other than that it still a strong motor.
Why is it burning oil exactly?

If you can't answer this question you have no business adding pressure to your combustion chamber or rotating assy.
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Old 01-13-2014, 01:46 AM   #16
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Really? You're asking if you should put work into the car to make it faster instead of making it run?

Really? I don't get it.
sounds like one of my customers
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Old 01-13-2014, 11:46 AM   #17
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well that's the point, if not for bigger power why would I really do it ?
Knock resistant fuel. Knock kills your motor....E85 rids most knock compared to pump fuels. Thats one major reason
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Old 01-13-2014, 12:22 PM   #18
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First thing i would do is a leak down and comoression test. You are going to pay for two tunes now if you go with e85 now. Kinda stupid. But hey not my money to burn.
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Old 01-13-2014, 04:52 PM   #19
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Why is it burning oil exactly?

If you can't answer this question you have no business adding pressure to your combustion chamber or rotating assy.
Really don't know my best is my seals are done. Before I had a.vf22 and it burned just a little bit, I would be low 1/4 of quart between oil changes.immediately after I switched to the 18g I started burning allot, I thought out was the turbo itself since I bought it used. So I had it a professional shop rebuilt it and still the same. I had my tuner retune the car after the rebuilt also but still burning lots of oil.
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Old 01-13-2014, 07:05 PM   #20
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Knock resistant fuel. Knock kills your motor....E85 rids most knock compared to pump fuels. Thats one major reason
Nobody with intelligence uses E85 just to lower knock. The intelligent person would lower timing or use higher octane pump fuel if available. Or just keep their foot off the throttle.
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Old 01-13-2014, 07:07 PM   #21
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Really don't know my best is my seals are done. Before I had a.vf22 and it burned just a little bit, I would be low 1/4 of quart between oil changes.immediately after I switched to the 18g I started burning allot, I thought out was the turbo itself since I bought it used. So I had it a professional shop rebuilt it and still the same. I had my tuner retune the car after the rebuilt also but still burning lots of oil.
find somebody that has an extra turbo that is known to not burn oil and swap it. If you still burn oil you know it isn't the turbo and you've lost $0 doing so.
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Old 01-14-2014, 07:51 AM   #22
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Nobody with intelligence uses E85 just to lower knock. The intelligent person would lower timing or use higher octane pump fuel if available. Or just keep their foot off the throttle.
WTH? That's THE reason intelligent people use Ethanol.

You're saying if you had a chance to buy cheaper fuel (Ethanol) that doesn't knock, you wouldn't?...You'd rather pay MORE $ for higher octane pump fuel that knocks more than Ethanol? Intelligent! The OP doesn't have to go killmode on Ethanol...he can turn his 91oct map into an Ethanol map in 5 minutes.


Op, if your plan is to run E eventually (on a setup that doesn't burn oil) then it won't hurt to go to E now, just don't turn it up. Your setup will not knock at all with 91oct timing and boost...and you'll be all set once you get the issue fixed.

EDIT: If you are paying for a tune and not tuning yourself, then I would think twice. I wouldn't pay $150+ for this right now. Obviously you need to fix the issue before you go for more power. But to answer your question, switching to E right now will not hurt...tuning for more power on E isn't a good idea.

Last edited by wgr73; 01-14-2014 at 08:17 AM.
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Old 01-14-2014, 09:30 AM   #23
chilakas
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WTH? That's THE reason intelligent people use Ethanol.

You're saying if you had a chance to buy cheaper fuel (Ethanol) that doesn't knock, you wouldn't?...You'd rather pay MORE $ for higher octane pump fuel that knocks more than Ethanol? Intelligent! The OP doesn't have to go killmode on Ethanol...he can turn his 91oct map into an Ethanol map in 5 minutes.


Op, if your plan is to run E eventually (on a setup that doesn't burn oil) then it won't hurt to go to E now, just don't turn it up. Your setup will not knock at all with 91oct timing and boost...and you'll be all set once you get the issue fixed.

EDIT: If you are paying for a tune and not tuning yourself, then I would think twice. I wouldn't pay $150+ for this right now. Obviously you need to fix the issue before you for more power. But to answer your question, switching to E right now will not hurt...tuning for more power on E isn't a good idea.
Ok so that settles it I'm going to wait to get the new motor. I was only going to do it to Getty more power
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Old 01-14-2014, 09:34 AM   #24
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find somebody that has an extra turbo that is known to not burn oil and swap it. If you still burn oil you know it isn't the turbo and you've lost $0 doing so.
I highly doubt its the turbo, my cousin had it in his car and he did not burn oil. Plus the thing is completely rebuilt now
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Old 01-14-2014, 09:37 AM   #25
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Ok so that settles it I'm going to wait to get the new motor. I was only going to do it to Getty more power
Gotcha.

I'd fix your issue first, then go E. You'll be much happier
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