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Welcome to Race on E85.com
Presented by Daniel Drag Racing
Your parts and information source
for running your hot rod on this inexpensive, renewable,
American made, high octane fuel.
If you’re at this site, chances are you have heard of E85 that is becoming more and
more available at gas stations around the country. This 105 octane
ethanol based mixture cost the same or less than regular
unleaded and makes a GREAT alternative to both high
priced race gas and extremely corrosive methanol.
The reason I know this is because we have been burning it in our blown carbureted small-block Chevy powered 1952
Henry J (right) for the past two years with OUTSTANDING results. This site is dedicated to those who are already running
or are seriously considering switching to this renewable fuel source to power their hot rods now and into the future. Special
thanks go out to Mark Thomas and the Ethanol Performs Funny Car team for the inspiration and Car Craft magazine for
the technical information to get us started.
Q & A About E85:
Q: Where can I find E85 in my area?
A: You can find E85 in any area by logging onto www.e85fuel.com and just click on your state for a list of stations that carry it.
Q: Why should I switch to E85?
A: E85 is and American made, renewable fuel source that is also environmentally friendly. We have experienced it to provide the same or better performance as race gas at a fraction of the cost. Your engine will run cooler and your ETs will be less affected by atmospheric changes.
Q: What is the difference in ethanol and methanol?
A: Both fuels have an excellent intake air charge cooling effect. Ethanol (grain or ethyl alcohol) is a biofuel made through the distillation of renewable resources like corn, sugar cane and switch grass. Yes, this is the same process they use to make alcoholic beverages like liquor. Fuel ethanol is about 200 proof when produced. 15% regular 87 octane gas is added to E100 so you can’t drink it and to add a little lubricant as well as ease the initial cold startup. Methanol (wood alcohol) is produced through a chemical process. By its nature methanol is more corrosive and provides 35% less energy then E85 so you have to burn 35% more of it to make comparable power. E85 cost $2.50- $3.50 a gallon methanol cost $4.00 - $5.00 a gallon.
Q: What type of performance can I expect from
making the switch to E85?
A: It has been our experience that E85 with its 105 octane rating and high resistance to knock is superior to premium pump gas and equal to and in some cases better than race gas. We picked up a tenth of a second and 2 to 3 miles per hour in the eighth mile with our combination after switching to E85 from 110 race gas and our cool down period between rounds was cut in half.
Q: What will I be saving from running E85 over racing gas?
A: 110 race gas sells for $7.00+ a gallon at the track; E85 is $2.50 - $3.50 a gallon at the gas station. The cost of a conversion kit for a 4150 style carb is $200.00 let’s see: You burn roughly 1/2 gallon of fuel on a run so you would save $1.75 - $2.25 per run. Your commitment to racing on E85 will pay for itself even if you don’t win a round of racing. You will be going green both environmentally and financially every time you fire up your race car.
Q: Don’t I have to replace all the “rubber” in my fuel system so it want be eaten up by the alcohol in E85?
A: NO!!! We started out on this journey with a complete gas system. We upped the flow 30% to compensate for the lower heat energy output of ethanol and left everything else the same just to see the effects. We switched to E85 at the end of the 2006 racing season and to date despite what we have read and heard from other people we have found zero deterioration or corrosion anywhere in our fuel system. We leave it in the system all the time. We don’t drain anything between races or use any type of fuel lube. We understand that "natural rubber" and cork gaskets may be effected by E85 over time, we just haven't experienced any issues with our modern day fuel system.
| Justus Daniel's '52 Henry J in action on E85 |
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| Joe Michael's Super Gas Plymouth Arrow on E85 |
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"Basic" E85 Tuning Tips:
1. No matter what type of fuel system
you are running you must increase flow (volume) by roughly 30% over a (gas) setup. This is more than just increasing the main
jets (in a carburetor) by 30%. Flow must be increased throughout the whole system and fuel curve.
2. Total timing
remains the same as on gas.
3. Water temp. needs to be 140 - 150 degrees when you pull into the water box and at
least 160 degrees when you stage. Your jetting is close when you gain about 10 degrees in the 1/8th and about 20
degrees in the quarter.
4. Stoichiometric ratio for E85 is 9.8:1. If you are using an air/fuel ratio meter set to read
gasoline shoot for an air/fuel ratio of 11:1 to 11.5:1 @ WOT for best (safe) power. If you use an EGT
meter to tune off of you know that ideal temps. will vary greatly from one combination to another. It has been our finding
that if you keep it below 1500 degrees while you are sorting out your tune up you don't have to worry about hurting
anything in the process. We have found that most naturally aspirated combinations end up making best power between 1150
and 1250 degrees on E85. Forced induction applications usually run 100 to 200 degrees hotter. If you need a good
"inexpensive" EGT meter check out http://www.ifamilysoftware.com/8307.html
5. E85 has a high resistance to knock but lights off easy so it is susceptible to pre-ignition. A non
protruding tip plug is recommended. Autolite Racing plugs with the cut back strap work well for us. We run AR-133 with the
blower, this is a little cooler then you would need for natural aspiration.
4150-E85 D.I.Y. Kits:
Stage I: Designed for those who already have a Holley HP, Barry Grant Demon, Proform or Quick Fuel Technologies main bodied carburetor.
Includes: Billet Aluminum E85 Calibrated Metering Blocks (Anodized Green) with Bolts
Hi-Flow Stainless Steel Needle and Seats
Properly Sized Screw-in Air Bleeds
GFLT Accelerator Pump Diaphragms
Accelerator Pump Nozzles Sized for E85
Properly Sized Hi-Flow Power Valve/s
All Necessary Gaskets and Easy to Follow Instructions with Tuning Tips
Only $225 Plus Shipping
Stage II: Designed for regular Holley Double Pumpers where you reuse just your float bowls and base plate. Includes everything in the Stage I kit PLUS an E85 specific main body.
Only: $350 - 650-750 cfm
$425 - 850
$450 - 950
$475 - 1050
Stage III: Includes everything in the Stage I and /or Stage II PLUS a billet aluminum (Anodized Green) base plate for Only: $150 more.
4500-E85 D.I.Y Kit:
Designed to COMPLETELY convert the popular Holley Dominator Style Carburetor.
Includes: Billet Aluminum E85 Calibrated Metering Blocks (Anodized Green) with Bolts
All Properly Sized Air Bleeds and Main Jets
E85 Specific Boosters with Pins
Stainless Steel Needle and Seats
GFLT Accelerator Pump Diaphragms
Accelerator Pump Nozzles with Hollow Stainless Steel Screws
Floats and Gaskets
Easy to Follow Instructions
Only $300 Plus Shipping
We can convert and test run your carburetor for you for just $100 more.
*Click here to go to the Race on E85 Message Board*
Hey Heath-
All I can say is WOW! I am an 8 time track points champion, 3 time VP Fuels Race of Champions Qualifier, National Dragster Challenge Wally Winner, and this years Ohio Crankshaft No Box Nationals Winner. I decided with the price of gas I needed a more economical way to go racing and save a little money, I researched E85 and came across the raceone85.com website. There are lots of websites that offer some good information but for some reason these guys just sounded like they knew what they were talking about. I decided to shoot Heath an email and he talked his way through the conversation like he has really tested this stuff, any question I asked he had an answer for. He asked me for my phone number and we had about an hour long conversation, and it was then that I knew I would give it a shot. Last weekend was my first time out with the E85 and again all I can say is WOW! Friday night I entered the Pro and Super Pro classes at a local track hoping to get enough passes in to get the car tuned right. The car ran 7.50’s in the 1/8th mile before converting, here is the first 6 passes I made on the E85, Off the trailer the car went 7.395, 2nd round 7.397, 3rd round 7.399, 4th round 7.391, 5th round 7.395, 6th round 7.399. I went on to win both classes that night. This stuff is amazing when you get it tuned right! It is an honor for me to add RaceonE85.com as one of my sponsors. Thanks Heath!!
Eric Bowling
2008 Ohio Crankshaft No Box Nationals Winner
Just a note (and pic.) to let you and Joe know that the Dominator E-85 kit performed perfectly. The only change I made was to jet up one size square to 98's. I put it on my 64 Dodge (full exhaust system with cut-outs), and went last Saturday, 7-19-08, to Woodburn Dragstrip (Oregon) for the VP Racing Fuel Series to try out the E-85 modified carb.
The results were incredible. From fastest to slowest 1/4 mile run, the car varied only .04 when most others were off by .1 or more in the heat of the day. The weather was 55-60 deg. in the morning and 85-90 in the afternoon. The 'Tuna Boat' was the picture of consistancy and beat the best in Pro Bracket. This was the 2nd time to the drag strip this year for the car and the 1st time on E-85, so we were quite pleased with the results. The tech inspector said he had not heard of any other cars running on E-85 before today. 7 rounds later they gave me a 1st Place Pro Bracket wall hanger and $240 cash. YOU GUYS ROCK!
This first time out on E-85, the car was equal to race gas with times in the 10.90's @ 122 mph. I'm betting I can get quicker with some minor adjustments. The throttle response is what I noticed the most. It was instant! Great performance @ 1/3 the cost of race gas, $3.59 per gallon at the Shell Truck Stop on I-5.
Thanks Again for the E-85 Dominator kit and the tune-up advice. It was 'Spot On!'
The weather was good today so we were able to get the track manger lets us have a couple of hours on the track today while they were doing some work in the pit area, my timing controller was my missing issue. I made a few passes with the meth carb to set some base lines running 6.89, 6.90, 6.89. Put the 750 on drained the cell and put in the E85 went 6.871, 6.872, 6.871 and a 6.860. I noticed a big difference in my 60 foot times seems to be the biggest time difference. My sixty foot on the meth was 1.483, 1.501, and 1.47 when I changed to the E85 1.433, 1.444, 1.440, 1.399 and I gained 4 MPH down track not to mention I was just getting against my top end chip when I crossed the stripe. I will probably take the 4.88 out and put in the 4.56. I haven't changed the plugs and did not change the timing, did not have to time to try any of those changes. One of the math wizards of the group did some figuring and we put 86 jets in it, engine temps were running where you suggested. I believe there is room for improvement yet. When I get all my meth run out I will go full time on the E85 and I do think that the others will follow in do time. Once again thanks for your site and the input. I printed off a poster and posted at the tower about you guys.
Thanks
Gary
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Sunday, October 21, 2007 Just got back from RockinghamHello everyone, just got back from Rockingham and met up with a very knowledgeable guy from Quick Fuel Technology. They have a 4150 style carb done up for E85 right out of the box and he said he was waiting on the anodizing to come back on the dominator that they just finished. Quick Fuel Technology does just sell the metering blocks for E85 too if that is where you would like to start. We started out with Barry Grant Race Demon carbs and the gas blocks they came with seem to flow enough for the low boost (4 to 5 psi) that we are making. We didn’t have to drill anything, just change the needles and seats, high-speed air bleeds, main jets and added power valves at both ends. I just bought an air /fuel ratio meter and I'll post some numbers as soon as I have the chance to collect some data, so check back to see the results. |
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| Mark Thomas 7 time IHRA Funny Car Champion |
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Click here to find out were to buy E85 near you.
E85Forum.com - This is the place to go to talk E85.
Ethanol from Algae? Check this out and you decide.
O2-Technology.com (great site, especially for those who run nitrous)
Check out Bruce's carbureted blow through supercharged E85 Thunder Bird!
GREAT E85 and carb conversion information WITH PICTURES - courtesy of Bruce with the Bad Bird.
Drag Racing Computers and Software
Can you run your non flex fuel vehicle on E85? Watch this and you decide.
One option to convert EFI vehicles to flex fuel.
E85 makes over 900 horsepower in Super Comp trim.
Daniel Drag Racing and RaceonE85.com in Action at Rockingham Dragway.