I'm seeing a lot of gas stations going to the 10% Ethanol blends lately. I've beeing trying to avoid it as much as possible, not really understanding the implications of the new blend. I saw a thread in S2k Talk, but it turned into noobs bickering about the environment. I was really curious how the E10 blends will affect a car, particularly a boosted car.

I've tried to read up on the internet as much as possible but everything I find seems to be financially motivated. The stations w/ the E10 blends are saying "This is a great we're saving the environment and it's safe for your car." The stations with the regular old gas are saying "E10 destroys your car and makes for worse gas mileage."

I was just wondering if any of you guys had any real knowledge on the subject. What's your take on the matter? It seems to be a more "environmentally friendly" alternative which makes me wonder what I'm giving up in order to save the planet. If it comes down to a little more CO2 in the air or a few of my pistons scattered along the highway I'm certainly gonna stick with the real stuff as long as I can get it.

Thoughts? Opinions? Links???

 

i was under the impression that the blend was mandated by the government, and that its been around for a while. It changes with the seasons as well.

 

I believe it's mandatory in some states and local governments. Definitely not everywhere though. It's probably 50/50 here, although more and more stations are moving toward E10.

A couple of the Evo guys I know said they run richer on E10 than regular gas. They'll get a slight knock on strait gas but not on E10. Maybe it's a good thing...

 

it might help with pre-ignition, but it won't have as much energy perse as straight up gas!

 

Perfect way for gas companies to make engines consume more fuel, save money since ethanol is cheaper and increase profits.

Sell more fuel to a price that's lower to produce.

 

So, Basically you make less power with E10?

 

I don't think you make less power, I think you just use more gas. At least that's my understanding.

 

I havent seen anything around Jacksonville, NC yet. But i would like to know what the deal is before i am stranded on E and E10 is my only option.

 

Doesnt HP=Gas and air
therefore making less gas=less HP

 

For a combustion reaction to take place, you must have your fuel, and an ignition source. So in this case, you have oxygen and hydrocarbons, with the hydrocarbons atomized in the oxygen. When the ignition source (the spark plug) lights off, it burns the oxygen and hydrocarbons, giving off heat, C02 and water, in a massive transfer of energy from the hydrocarbons. In a perfect reaction, you get lots of C02 and water, but because its only a partial reaction, it gives off C0 and N0x's.
Ethanol is also a complex hydrocarbon, but doesnt have as much energy compared to other petroleum hydrocarbons, so you need more of the fuel to get the same reaction (or bang)