E85 with a Ford Mustang
A 1999 Ford Mustang GT has been converted to run on the alternative fuel bend of 85 percent ethanol. The engine was changed by the owner, Steve Shrader of Mount Holly, NC.
“The Mustang ran great for more than a year,” noted Shrader. “In the quest for more horsepower, we pulled the engine out of the car to see just how far we could push the horsepower level out of a 4.6L Mustang engine which is street legal and still has a cold A/C. The most recent results were staggering. Running on summer blend E85, the car made 640 horsepower, measured at the rear wheels. With a typical 15 percent driveline loss, that is about 750 hp, if measured at the engine, compared to Ford’s dismal factory output of 260 hp.”
Although this car is not a daily driver nor built to be a commuter car, Shrader said it makes a nice weekend cruising toy and it still makes trips to the dragstrip for fun runs.
Shrader added, “The great results are largely contributed to E85’s 105 octane and cooler-burning characteristics, which allow us to really push the engine beyond what a gasoline engine can safely handle.”
Automobile manufacturers do not recommend converting a gasoline powered vehicle to run on E85.
4 Comments »
kum dollison
It’s time for this organization to “get serious,” and start telling the ethanol industry what it needs to do.
Sacramento Joe in his previous comments laid out the problem, And the Solution. Like a bunch of small town “hicks,” they’re getting murdered by a slick, well-funded disinformation campaign financed by Big Oil, and the GMA.
It’s time to gather some money, hire some “Big-Time” Washington talent, and start fighting back. Even Ethanol’s erstwhile, biggest supporters are afraid to say the word “Ethanol” in public nowadays. Grassley, and Lugar can’t do it all, Guys. They need some help.
Form a “Real” Association. Do a CHECK-OFF! Raise Some Money!
You don’t have much time left, Bubbas. Hang together, or you will, surely, hang separately.
Alex Kovnat
I’m not enthusiastic about 4.6 liter V-8′s developing 640 HP, but I’d like to see what kind of power, torque, exhaust emissions and fuel economy performance we might see with a turbocharged (or, mechanically supercharged) I-4 or V-6 optimized for E-85.
Redline Racer
I am running my coupe 383 chevy on e-85.This motor has dyno time only.I pulled the e-85 carb off and drained it.The engine sat for a couple months this summer while getting car ready.I charged the # 1 cylider with air to change valve springs,it leaked bad these are brand new afr eliminator heads only 5 dyno pulls.Anyway,to make a long story short,I pulled the heads and there is a small amount of surface rust on seat causing it to leak.Is this from running e-85? Do I need to run lube or something? I am baffled,any input will help greatly! Thanks Redline
Ford Mustang
What’s happening with E85? You don’t hear much about it,since it was discovered that the production from corn, was causing large increases in products made from corn, due to lower supply.
Also, this is a weird one, they sell E85 cars in Canada, but not the fuel :p
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