circle track E85 requirements

[bmodracer]

My track is going to allow the use of E85 in 2009. Here is my current gas set up.
#8 inlet and outlet aeroquip blue fuel lines
Holley 7-8psi @120 gmp
Holley 4412 2bbl carburator

Besides converting the carb over to run on E85, should I be thinking of changing anything else?

Thanks!!!!!!

[Heath Daniel]

Hello bmodracer, one thing that is often over-looked is the fuel filter. You should make sure you are running one that is capable of flowing at least as much as your fuel pump can pump. That goes for regulator too. Other than that just make sure you keep and eye on your water temp. and read the plugs to verify air/fuel ratio while you are getting your tune-up sorted out. What other fuels are allowed to compete?

[bmodracer]

We were only allowed to run pump or race fuel.
This will be in a limited modified 355ci, 9.0-1 compression. The maximum these motors put out is 300-350hp.
There is no on in this area that runs E85 so I have nobody to ask. Gonna probably be the guinea pig.
I was told a 5% increase in HP and TQ across the board to thats whats got me interested.

Thanks!!!!!

[Heath Daniel]

Your engine will run cooler too.

[bmodracer]

If 120gph is sufficient, do I have to worry about running E85 through a gas mechanical fuel pump. Also, can I use VP M2 fuel lube with E85.

Thanks!!!!!

[Heath Daniel]

bmodracer, I think my buddy Eric Bowling can jump in here and answer this one. He is racing and winning with a little over stock Holley (made for gas) mechanical fuel pump. I suppose you could mix E85 with what ever fuel lube you want to but I really don't think it's necessary. The 15% or so regular gasoline takes care of that. All the lube is going to do is take up space with an nonburnable substance that could be being used with a burnable substance like E85 to make even more power.

[danny]

i have spoken with a engine builder about the e85 carb and he is very much intereted in building one and dynoing it ,,,,,his only concern was our race is 150 miles long ,,,but 75 lap segments on a 1 and a half mile track ,,,and would there be enough fuel to last till halfway ,,at full speed all the way ,,wich was around 130
we are only allowed 22 gallons per sgment ,,,,should we be worried in any way ,,or is it just a trial and error we need to work with
all our other races are on smaller tracks so fuel will not be an issue there

[Heath Daniel]

How much gasoline are you burning to the half way point now? To be honest with you we don't even notice a difference in fuel consumption in drag racing. I'm sure there is but we are only burning between a quart and a half gallon for and 1/8th mile pass and that's feeding a 355 ci sbc with two 775 cfm carbs and a 6-71 blower!

[danny]

to be honest i dont know excactly ,,,but i will find out and let you know ,,,the engine builder was the one concerned ,,im the driver i really didnt care much unless i run out ,,,thanks ,,ill get back as soon as i can

[Eric Bowling]

bmodracer-

I currently am running a 406 ci Chevy in my drag car, My current fuel system consists of a Manual Holley Pump 120gph and a RaceonE85.com conversion kit. I have a regulator on my system keeping my fuel pressure at a constant 7.5psi. Oh ya and I ran E85 on a stock Auto Zone mechanical pump for over a month without any issues, I just bought the Holley pump to be safe and yes it is for gas too. I like Heath have done lots of testing with E85, with corrosion in mind at first I went and got a gallon of E85 and put every gasket and oring out of a carb rebuild kit in it and left it in there for approx 4 months, I could not see any ill effects from the E85. One more thing, dont let ANYONE tell you that you have to run bigger than a 165 booster because you dont. I changed to a bigger booster and the car actually didnt perform as well as it did with the smaller booster, Here are the specs on my set up and maybe this will help you out when you convert,
Holley Double Pumper
E85 Metering Blocks
Proform Main body
130 Needle Seats
NO powervalve
93's Primary Jets
93's Secondary Jets
High Speed AB 25's
Idle bleeds 75's
.045 squirters
30cc pump in front
50cc pump in back
Holley Manual Fuel Pump with 3/8 fuel line
Stock Fuel Tank
Quick Fuel Dead Head Regulator
I may be leaving something out but not for sure
Oh, my egt's read approx 1200 going through the traps at about 6300 rpms

Hope this info Helps.

Eric Bowling
www.ballzoutgear.com
ballzoutgearblog.blogspot.com
ballzoutgearfourm.proboards.com/index.cgi
www.raceonE85.com

[danny]

some info on fuel ,,milage
talked with 1 person so far and with 355 on 1.5 mile track getting about 5 miles per gallon ,,,but didnt know all his engine specs,,,we have a 22 gallon cell so if getting 4 miles a gallon possibly would get 88 miles a tank and we actually go 75 so do you think with 408 windsor with 4412 possibly could go the distance ,,,if so i belive im ready to make the switch very soon first other race is april,,at bristol ,,,didnt make rthe jan 1st at the rock so ill have more info after that race ,,thanks

[Heath Daniel]

Danny, there again we won't really know until you do it, at least that's the principle I subscribe to. Based on our experience and the information you have so far I don't see any reason why it won't make it. Is the fuel cell size limited? Anyway, we have found that when you get it tuned in that you really don't burn much (if at all) more than race fuel. Maybe we are on the lean side but that's where our car likes it and we aren't hurting any parts and everything inside and out looks great. Are you allowed to run any meters like air/fuel ratio or exhaust gas temp. If so you can really get it dialed close. Even if they don't allow it in the race you could test with it so you know where you are when you do race. If it works for you like it's worked for us and you go ahead and get it switched over now so when the season starts you are all ready to go you will the the man from the drop of the 1st green flag. Be ready to start answering a ton of questions. Danny what is your current carb specs (like what Eric posted)? I'm going to start working you up an E85 tune-up based on what is working for you now. Of course I live in Charlotte NC so Nascar guys are everywhere around here to bounce ideas around with. I had a long chat with one of the Willy's carb guys at PRI and he clued me in on a lot of the differences from setting up a circle track carb vs. a drag race carb. They have a vacuum controlled fuel pressure regulator that would be perfect on a circle track car. It keeps the fuel pressure from spiking when you dump the throttle going into a turn then when you mat it coming out it's all there. And yes, we talked about running E85 a lot too. I think you are going to be happy with your decision Danny. Can't wait till you start bust corn!

[danny]

we run a 22 gallons cell ,,,,and as far as meters and guages dont know yet ,,,but if by chance you can get to rockingham speedway on jan 1st ,,,you will be able to see what type of cars qwe run ,,,,and our carb is 4412 to nascar specs and must be stock out of the box appearing ,,,,so if that helps great keep doing your homework and i will keep asking ??s and i hope i get it right the first try ,,,and do look forward to doing bussiness ,,,,,,,thanks for all your patients with me ,,,

[danny]

as far as carberator ,,what ever is done to it at your shop would be what been done to it ,,im not much on all this tech stuff ,,thats why i ask so many ??s
but as of now what i have is right out of the box never used yet so im open to suggestions ,,,but the rules state to nascar specs ,,what ever they are ,,,remember im the driver and engine guy on my team the rest is trusted to others ,,,thanks ,,and hope everyone had a wonderfull christmas

[Heath Daniel]

Danny I think we can actually make it to Rockingham on the 1st. Can I get it the pits to talk to you? That's Rockingham NC right?