100% Gasoline vs 10% Ethanol

colliehauler wrote:
Let me ask this, why do alcohol burning drag cars run faster then gasoline burning drag cars? The fastest drag cars are nitro/alcohol mix, producing several thousand hp.

I can believe a loss of fuel economy but not a loss of hp.

Actually they don't; it's not that simple.

You aren't considering all the different factors.

Maybe the nitro has something do do with it ?
Maybe the fact that the engines are built from the ground up TO USE THAT SPECIFIC FUEL.

That is kind of like saying "Why is it that cars run faster than lawn mowers?"

You can believe whatever you want......but you can't change the facts.

Let me ask this, why do alcohol burning drag cars run faster then gasoline burning drag cars? The fastest drag cars are nitro/alcohol mix, producing several thousand hp.

I can believe a loss of fuel economy but not a loss of hp.

When I use to race drag boats a blown gas flatbottom would run around 155mph in the quarter mile. Blown Alcohol flatbottom would run around the 170mph range. Blown nitro/alcohol flatbottom would run 200 plus. This was several decades ago.

I also know that alcohol raises the octane of gas. Winter blends also use butane to raise the octane of gas. Because of vapor pressure butane is not used as much of a summer.

drsteve wrote:

Same here. I use no stabilizers, leave gas sitting in carbs for months, and never has a problem. Everything starts, runs, and does the intended job.

There are exceptions to every "rule".
Where you live might have something to do with it.
Doing that in Florida will get you into trouble a LOT faster (HOT and humid)

Campfire Time wrote:
And if you don't believe the computer can make the adjustments, you have not kept up with modern auto technology.

It is not a "belief", I KNOW that the computers can NOT adjust for EVERYTHING.

Presence or absence of ethanol is one of those things.

Not that it would not be possible but it isn't worth the additional cost. And what happens a few years from now it the ethanol is replaced with a different additive ???

Campfire Time wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:


There is less energy in ethanol and the computer cannot adjust for that.

And if you don't believe the computer can make the adjustments, you have not kept up with modern auto technology.

So you believe that the "computer" can force the lower energy fuel to somehow produce more energy? Sure, an adjustment is made by dumping in more fuel to compensate.

Grit dog wrote:
^ That's because if your kids are like mine they start overlapping each pass by a foot or 2 and end up doing 100 laps when they coulda been done in 60!

That's me doing it! If I let my kids do it they put the wheels right in the previous wheel line, so then I have long strips after a few days! LOL

drsteve wrote:


Same here. I use no stabilizers, leave gas sitting in carbs for months, and never has a problem. Everything starts, runs, and does the intended job.

Exactly. It ain't the devils juice, but you're also getting lucky. Or "for months" typically means 2-4 months, not 6-9 months.
I've cleaned out ALOT of gummed up carbs (mostly NOT mine LOL) and I've had alot of start back up next seasons no problem.
Most all the start up no problem is with stabilized fuel and ALL of the gummed up carbs are no stabilized fuel.
Hadn't had one of my own motors gum up in a long time. Left the 6k Genny with a tank full of previous years gas in it and didn't run it dry or stabilize. Last fall she plugged up on 9-12 month gas which was likely E10 cause I don't typically run the good stuff in cheap stuff that don't need it. No E premium "may" have lasted longer, but after half a year, it's a **** shoot whether something will be gummed up.
Ever burned down a fuel injected 2 stroke with bad gas? I haven't but I rebuilt my buddys sled engine. Ran it on 1 cyl and 1 injector removed to show him. Injector was plugged, gas kinda squirted/pissed out of it. There was $500 and MY labor that he could have prevented with 1/2 can of Seafoam.

^ That's because if your kids are like mine they start overlapping each pass by a foot or 2 and end up doing 100 laps when they coulda been done in 60!

Campfire Time wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:
I'm not even convinced that you get better mileage from 0%.

You don't have to believe it for it to be true.
It IS true.
The alcohol contains 10% less energy content.

And the computers don't control "everything".
There is no "octane" detector and no ethanol detector either.

Lynnmor wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:
I'm not even convinced that you get better mileage from 0%. The computer in a modern vehicle controls every aspect of the ignition system and knows what fuel you are burning. It adjusts accordingly. Of course, YMMV as they say.

In other words you really should just test it out. Run a couple of tanks of each and compare.

There is less energy in ethanol and the computer cannot adjust for that.

So, you guys have both tried it for yourselves, compared a couple of tanks of E-10 and a couple of tanks with no Ethanol? I have. There is virtually no difference. I'm talking about E85, I'm referring to E-10. Now, this could certainly vary from vehicle to vehicle and is probably far more noticeable in a truck or large SUV. But not an average sized car. And if you don't believe the computer can make the adjustments, you have not kept up with modern auto technology.

I used to be able to get 2 cuts out of a tank of gas in my lawnmower. I now am lucky to get 1 1/2 cuts. Cant get any better test than that!

Dave H M wrote:
I personally do not agree with the gov mandate on E10.

That being said, I also personally think that E10 is used as a scape goat for small engine problems. I been using it every since I did not have much of a choice at the pump. My small engines to include 2 cycle gets long great with it. Stuff started and ran fine this spring after setting in the tank all winter. Garden tiller, lawn tractor, Z turn and weed whacker. So how come my stuff guzzles that stuff down with no problems? :h

Same here. I use no stabilizers, leave gas sitting in carbs for months, and never has a problem. Everything starts, runs, and does the intended job.