Looking to convert a steer/strip olds to e85

[mgtazman]

So I'm hearing some stuff from some drag guts about converting to e85. Problem is that , no one has any real facts.
I have a 74 442 with a 68 455. 10.5 to 1 comp, high lift cam. And a Holley 850. Runs low 12 sec.
With going to e85 will there be a big difference in power and engine temp?
We have a few gas stations around that sell e85 so it is easy enough to get.
Looking to see if it is worth the time and money
Thanks
Mike

[butterbean]

welcome Mike, to answer your question as easy as I can my Buick ran 10.59 @ 124.00 in the 1/4 and I left the line @ 160* crossed the line @ 195* then 210* back to my pit when I converted my car ran 10.42 @ 126.50 left the line @ 170* and crossed the stripe @ 185* and back to my pit @ 175* and all I did was have Justus convert my carb, I changed nothing on my fuel system but the paper fuel filter to a stainless steel screen type...... so what do you think my answer is? and I only pay 3.00 a gallon and not 12.00 a gallon for race fuel, so good luck in what ever you do.

[triplenickel]

Welcome Mike. If you're running pump gas, then e85 isn't going to save you $. You should see an improvement in performance once it's tuned right along with cooler temps.

[triplenickel]

What pump & lines do you have?

[adamsvega]

YOU WILL BURN MORE PER PASS AND IF YOUR CAR IS UNDER GEARED AND CONVERTER IT WILL PICK UP WHEN SET UP RIGHT

[bigdaddy198]

So did you put your Olds on the E85. I have a .30 over 455 Olds in my. 80 Cutlass been running 10.90's has been as fast as a 10.80 its a full body car pwr windows rear seat 6 pt bar 3800 lbs without me in it. But I have been running a 1050 Dominator on a ported Torker intaker and stage 2 ported C heads all built by Rocket Racing out of Waterford Wisconsin. If you have any questions about Oldsmobile performance builds these guys really know their stuff. I called them awhile back and told them I wanted to convert my car to e85 and sometimes you get that good luck speech but John over there told me straight out and he built my motor trans and upgraded the rear end in this car so he knows what I have. But anyways John told me if I wanted to change anything to improve the performance of my Cutlass this was a excellent way to start as it really does help that big old motor run cooler the only other item he suggested was after I got it done to consider sending him my heads in the off season to have them stage 3 ported. He was very happy to hear I was running this car hard and without problems. I just got a 1050 E85 converted carb to put on it and I use e85R renegade race fuel it cost me $245.00 per drum but thats alot cheaper than $390 per drum for 110 octane and its as pure as it gets. I think in alot of ways after talking with all the people I have talked to about e85 racing that fuel is probably more complex than any race fuel out. Its very consistant as long as its tested and moisture free and my last car was on it would make a pass without the fan on and be back at 130 degrees by the time I made my pass hit the fan and got back to my pit area. Very Cool Fuel!!!!