[snrusnak]

There are only two stations in my area(not even that close really...) that sell ethanol free fuel. One is way out of my way(right near the drag strip). That's not an option for sure. The other is fairly on my way home from work(maybe 5-10 minutes out of the way at most). I found they sell 91 octane ethanol free fuel. What would you all do?

1) Buy 91 ethanol free fuel and run the 91 SC tune. Get this fuel when I can, and when I can't then run regular 93 octane(most stations don't have 91 here, they have 93).

2) Keep running the 93 SC tune and don't use the 91 ethanol free fuel.

3) Keep running the 93 SC tune and try the 91 ethanol free fuel and see if I might get away with it(doubtful).

93 right now is about $4.30/gal. The 91 ethanol free is about $4.20/gal.

 

[HemiLonestar]

The ethanol free should work just fine, the tune is a 91 tune, so a minimum of 91 octane is required. If I could get ethanol free I would.

 

[snrusnak]

I'm wondering if the loss in performance (from going from the 93 tune to 91 tune) would be offset by the benefit of the ethanol free fuel. I can't come up with an answer over here...

I may at least give it a try and just see if it "feels" any different.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Ah, you have a Cortex? Highest tune setting on a 3865 is 91. I would say back it off to the 91 tune just to be on the safe side, can't imagine there is that much of a difference.

 

[snrusnak]

No I have a flashpaq. It is a 3865 and also has a 93 tune. I guess they changed that at some point....?

It makes a (somewhat) big difference, it's only 3hp, but it's also 10lb ft of torque between the 91 and 93 tunes. It's not THAT big of a deal I guess, but 10lb ft is a big deal with the 4.7L which already is missing out on some low end torque due to the small displacement.

I'm just wondering if running ethanol free fuel will give more power over ethanol blend of 10%. Maybe the lost 3hp/10lb ft is offset by the ethanol free 91 octane?

 

[GTyankee]

Getting good gas around here is almost impossible
If it is leaded, has no ethanol, or is above 91 octane
You have to show your drivers license, then some kind of special I.D., & then you have to sign some special Government form. It would be easier to drive over to Arizona, 160 miles away.
I think Racing fuel, Aviation fuel, & certain Marine fuels are involved in this new program

 

[snrusnak]

^yeah the pump says "marine" on it, but it's a standard car size pump, fit's in the tank, and people use it...

 

[HemiLonestar]

That's because marine engines don't have the same emissions requirements (otherwise all 2 stroke outboards would be GONE).

 

[snrusnak]

So am I not supposed to use it then?

 

[HemiLonestar]

So am I not supposed to use it then?

No it'll be fine. Marine engines are particularly susceptible to ethanol fuel problems, which is why (I have never seen it and I have been on the water my entire life) you will never see an 'ethanol blend' fuel pump at a marina or for marine use.

 

[snrusnak]

Ok. I think I'm going to swing by on my way home today, fill up with the 91 ethanol free (I'm on E anyway). I'm running the 93 tune but oh well. I'll re tune it tonight.

I really think with the colder tstat and a colder heat range plug I may be able to get away with the 93 tune on 91 octane. We'll see though.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Only one way to find out...

 

[snrusnak]

I chickened out lol and hit the citgo on the way home and filled up with 93. I'll save the experimenting for when I have more time in case I need to pull over and re tune or something.

 

[micar71]

Ethanol is good as a cleaning agent. Other than that, it's $hit. It dries the hell out of anything rubber. It attracts water if it sets for period of time (you live in a high humidity environment - correct?), which leads to a whole lot of problems.

When I'm too lazy to drive to the marina to get fuel for the boat (somewhat of a pain in the butt to get octane free fuel), I fill up at the local pump with the lowest octane available and then I drop in some StarTron Fuel Enzyme.

For me, I believe the .10 cents difference would make a difference. Me personally, I would run it because ethanol robs miles. Think about it this way: Hey Sean!!! Have I got a deal for you! I've got some of the GOOD ethanol free fuel to run in your beloved Ram and I'll PAY YOU .10 cents a gallon.

But then again, I swear she feels better when nothing caustic is running through her system. I put my head up against her, she lets me know she's happy to not only see me, but she's happy that I feed her well. She shows me by running around with no problems, her tail end breaks free and is all over the place when I give her a power scratch and she even gives a good stretch and a leg kick when I scratch her belly..... Oh, wait. I'm talking about my dog.

 

[micar71]

There are only two stations in my area(not even that close really...) that sell ethanol free fuel. One is way out of my way(right near the drag strip). That's not an option for sure. The other is fairly on my way home from work(maybe 5-10 minutes out of the way at most). I found they sell 91 octane ethanol free fuel. What would you all do?

1) Buy 91 ethanol free fuel and run the 91 SC tune. Get this fuel when I can, and when I can't then run regular 93 octane(most stations don't have 91 here, they have 93).

2) Keep running the 93 SC tune and don't use the 91 ethanol free fuel.

3) Keep running the 93 SC tune and try the 91 ethanol free fuel and see if I might get away with it(doubtful).

93 right now is about $4.30/gal. The 91 ethanol free is about $4.20/gal.

Holy Cow!!!! $4.30 a gallon?!!! I guess I'll stop griping about $3.60 to $3.69 a gallon.

 

[gashauler]

This is right up my alley I deliver gas for a living you don't want to use ethanol gas at all it dries seals up and is hell when it meets water (condensation in the gas tank) but some states will not allow ethanol free gas to be sold, my truck gets 4 more miles to the gallon running ethanol free, you can go into pure-gas.org and find out where to find it in your area if at all.

 

[snrusnak]

Thanks guys. Yeah 87 around here in Orlando is like $3.90/gal and 93 is like $4.30-$4.40/gal. The 91 ethanol free is like $4.30-$4.40/gal. Going from memory here...

My boss has run 2 tanks of the ethanol free 91 through his F150 and said his avg mpg went from ~13 to ~15.

I think I'm going to try it out next tank.

 

[CdnoilRAM]

Yeah, it's worth making the switch to ethanol free for several reasons, but if it's only 91 octane them I would reprogram to the 91 tune as opposed to trying to sneak by on the 93 tune. I would just worry too much about the engine retarding timing medias the knock sensors are picking up detonation from the lower octane and advanced timing.

 

[BLKSVT]

DAMNIT!!!! None by me..

 

[snrusnak]

I thought of another reason to switch....when we travel sometimes it's hard to find 93 on the road, so we have to retune. It's easier just to leave it on the 91. I'll be filling up later this week so I'll make the switch and try it out. I'll definitely update if I see a difference in any way.