running on ethanol

[beavis2k4]

Has anyone thought about or already running on ethanol fuel?
I have been looking into this for quite some time and i cant really see any disadvantages except:
1.) Price of conversion
2.)Availabilty, although most cars if they are converted to run on e85 fuel can support a mixture of ethanol/petrol or even regular unleaded

I am not trying to get people to save the planet or anything but it is a good idea, i think, its a win win situation, cheaper fuel bill, screw the government , increased compression ratio therefor increased power, and your car (i can only guess) will fly through emissions tests as it burns a lot cleaner.

Please let me know what you lot think about this and any info is welcomed

[Brianmoooore]

Don't think there's any real problems. IIRC, it's amatter of increasing the flow rates, and you will need a mappable/feedback controlled ECU of some kind.
In the UK, it would be far easier to go the LPG route. Well tried and tested, readily available, and meets all the criteria in your penultimate paragraph.

[Gwynleym10]

I think we will be finding bio ethonal in our fuel anyway (probably only 5% to start with..) but its definatly the way governemnt and europe is thinking.

Its really big in Brazil, they are thte world leaders in the technology, loads of thier VW's run on it. When the Brazilian president came over last week, it was discussed with the PM.

[Motorhole]

I guess the major disadvatantage is the distillation process. It uses a lot of energy, plus we will need to farm one hell of a lot of potatoes!! Seeing as we can't exactly grow rice or suger in the UK.

Still though, I am a fan of ethanol-powered cars.

[kevin316i]

I think there are two issues with using ethanol:
(1) burns at a higher temperature than petrol
(2) can be corrosive on the engine internals due to water content

Don't think these are issues when your'e using a small amounts of ethanol with petrol, but I guess a proper conversion kit would take any possible issues into account.

[Ziggy]

Don't think there's any real problems. IIRC, it's amatter of increasing the flow rates, and you will need a mappable/feedback controlled ECU of some kind.
In the UK, it would be far easier to go the LPG route. Well tried and tested, readily available, and meets all the criteria in your penultimate paragraph.

Brian - still planning on going down the LPG route myself - got most of the bits even, just need a different tank. Was just wondering what you do re. insurance though? From what I've read most of the insurance companys won't insure it unless it's been installed by an approved fitter...
Cheers
Jon

[Brianmoooore]

[
. Was just wondering what you do re. insurance though? From what I've read most of the insurance companys won't insure it unless it's been installed by an approved fitter...
Cheers
Jon

There's a few that insist on a "professional" (LPGA) install, following a LPGA scare campaign. Plenty that require the installation to be certified after install (around Ԛ£50), and still a few who don't care at all.

[ad318i]

i was jus rading an article in this months topgear about this and it isnt had expensive as everyone thinks.....

wen i get free time i upload a lot of stuff about it.. may even change ya minds