Ameer Randolph
Flex fuel vehicles are those that have been mechanically altered to run on any ethanol blend, up to 85% ethanol, otherwise known as E85. This fuel blend is a renewable energy source, produced from plant biomass, which reduces harmful emissions compared to gasoline. Conversion kits are available for those wanting to convert their vehicles to flex fuel, which can be done on newer and older vehicles, though older vehicles may require more extensive modifications to their fuel systems.
Characteristics and Values Table for Converting a Car into Flex Fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flex Fuel | E85, a blend of up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline |
| Flex Fuel Conversion | Allows a vehicle to run on any ethanol blend up to 85% ethanol |
| Ethanol | A renewable fuel produced from plant biomass like corn, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere |
| E85 Benefits | Improved vehicle performance, reduced harmful emissions by up to 35-80% compared to gasoline, and cost savings due to cheaper fuel |
| Conversion Process | Requires changing the way injectors work, increasing the overall fuel supply capacity by about 33%, and tuning the vehicle specifically for E85 |
| Conversion Kits | eFlexFuel offers kits with Bluetooth connection and a smartphone app to monitor the engine in real time |
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What You'll Learn
Flex fuel conversion kits
There are several companies that offer flex fuel conversion kits, such as eFlexFuel, Advanced Fuel Dynamics, and Lethal Garage. These kits typically include everything needed to run flex fuel and can be installed as a DIY project or with the help of a professional. The cost of these kits can vary, starting at around $699 for vehicle-specific kits from eFlexFuel, while others mention the price being around $700.
It is important to note that before purchasing and installing a flex fuel conversion kit, you should verify your vehicle's compatibility. This includes checking the fuel injectors, fuel pump, fuel lines, and any modifications that have been made. Additionally, some car manufacturers may not approve of these modifications, which could void your warranty. It is always a good idea to check with your car manufacturer before making any significant changes to your vehicle.
Some benefits of using flex fuel conversion kits include the ability to use different types of fuel, which can result in cost savings, especially when compared to the high cost of gasoline. For example, one user reported paying almost $7 a gallon for regular gas, while with the kit, they were able to get E85 for $3.80. Additionally, flex fuel kits can improve your vehicle's performance, with some users reporting an increase in horsepower.
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Injector changes
Firstly, it is important to understand the role of injectors in a flex-fuel system. Injectors are responsible for delivering the fuel mixture into the engine, and in a flex-fuel vehicle, they need to accommodate the higher ethanol content. Ethanol has a higher stoichiometric ratio than gasoline, requiring approximately 30% more volume to achieve the same energy output. As a result, the injectors must be capable of flowing at least 30% more fuel to maintain the engine's performance.
When converting to flex fuel, it is generally recommended to upgrade to larger fuel injectors. The specific size and capacity of the injectors will depend on the vehicle's power requirements and the desired ethanol blend. For example, if your vehicle originally came with 360cc injectors, an upgrade to 750cc injectors would provide a 100% increase in capacity, ensuring sufficient fuel flow for the flex-fuel system.
The Injector Dynamics 1000cc injectors are a popular choice for flex-fuel conversions. These injectors are a standard Bosch design that has been flow-matched to provide a perfect set for E85 use. It is also important to consider the condition of your injectors. Clean injectors are essential for optimal performance, and it may be necessary to have them professionally cleaned or replaced if they are heavily contaminated.
Additionally, the electronic control module (ECM) plays a crucial role in managing the injectors. The ECM receives information about the ethanol content of the fuel from a flex-fuel sensor and adjusts the fueling and spark timing accordingly. This ensures that the engine receives the correct air/fuel ratio and spark timing for efficient combustion.
Finally, it is worth noting that newer vehicles may be better suited for flex-fuel conversions. Models from 2007 onwards are likely to have ethanol-compatible fuel systems, making the conversion process more straightforward. However, it is always important to verify the compatibility of your vehicle's fuel injectors, pump, and lines before proceeding with any modifications.
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Ethanol blends
Converting a car to run on higher ethanol blends, such as E85, can be done with flex fuel conversion kits. These kits allow vehicles to run on any ethanol blend up to 85% ethanol. It is important to note that older vehicles with steel fuel systems or cork gaskets may have issues with long-term exposure to ethanol and water, so material changes to the fuel system may be necessary to prevent damage.
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Fuel system damage
Flex fuel vehicles can run on any ethanol blend, usually up to 85% ethanol, which is referred to as E85. E85 burns differently from regular gasoline, so a flex-fuel conversion involves changing the way the injectors work.
Ethanol has 25% less energy than gasoline, meaning more ethanol is needed in the combustion chamber to produce the same energy output as a gasoline-only engine. This means flex-fuel vehicles have a wider range of injector pulse width, allowing up to 40% more liquid fuel into the fuel-air mixture. Injector pulse width is the time a fuel injector is held open, allowing fuel to flow through it.
Older vehicles that used steel in the fuel systems or cork gaskets may have issues from long-term exposure to ethanol and water. Fuel system damage happens over time and exposure to the fuel and may not be noticeable until the damage is advanced.
To avoid this, older cars need to have material changes to their fuel systems to avoid the inevitable damage they would have if they were converted to run on E85.
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E85 conversion basics
E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced from plant biomass like corn, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it grows, resulting in reduced lifecycle emissions compared to fossil fuels. E85 burns differently than E10 or regular gasoline, and that means a flex-fuel conversion has to involve changing the way the injectors work.
A flex-fuel conversion will allow a vehicle to run on any ethanol blend up to 85% ethanol but not 100% ethanol. Older vehicles that used steel in the fuel systems or cork gaskets may have issues from long-term exposure to ethanol and water. Newer vehicles are typically easier to convert because the EPA requirements for vehicle manufacturers changed around the year 2000.
When converting to E85, the general rule of thumb is to increase the overall capacity of your current fuel supply by 33%. This typically involves 33% larger fuel injectors and a 33% larger fuel pump. Beyond just injectors and pump upgrades, a flex-fuel sensor and the hardware/software necessary to use the sensor are also recommended.
There are E85 flex-fuel conversion kits available in the market that can be installed in your engine bay and enable your vehicle to safely run on E85, gasoline, and all mixtures of E85 and gasoline. These kits are fully automatic and do not touch your vehicle's ECU programming, ensuring all Original Manufacturer engine safety and emissions control systems maintain operation as originally designed.
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Frequently asked questions
A flex fuel conversion allows a vehicle to run on any ethanol blend, up to 85% ethanol. This fuel blend is referred to as E85.
Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced from plant biomass, which results in reduced lifecycle emissions compared to fossil fuels. By converting your car to flex fuel, you can improve your vehicle's performance and reduce harmful emissions by up to 35-80% compared to gasoline.
You can purchase a flex fuel conversion kit, which can be easy to install. You may also need to increase the overall capacity of your current fuel supply by 33% and install larger fuel injectors and pumps. Finally, the vehicle must be tuned specifically for E85.
