• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Any interest in a 1000 horsepower E85 turbocharged Viper? I thought so

Well, you'd better be interested! The owner of the 1000 hp E85-capable Viper is Karl Jacob, who says, "The E85 Viper project sets out to prove that we don't have to give up high performance cars in order to save the environment. In fact, we discovered during this project renewable fuel performs much better than today's gasoline."

The higher power is to be expected, as cars generally make more power on ethanol. A sophisticated engine computer system allows the vehicle to run on any blend of gas-ethanol, using 93 octane gas on up. Ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline.

The first modification was twin-turbos, along with a new fuel system and engine computer. The brakes were also upgraded at that time. While determining the next direction to go, Karl and his tuner, Ron, of SVS Power, decided to go all the way with the car... meaning 1000 HP running on 13 lbs of boost using E85 fuel. This, of course, meant a lot more mods needed to be performed, including to the fuel system, as the Viper was not meant to run on alcohol. Nor was it meant to have that much power, so the whole drivetrain was modified to take the power. You can read the whole story at Karl's site and there's an info chart after the jump.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/01/25...rsepower-e85-turbocharged-viper-i-tho/
^Dyno chart & more details in link

Their overgeneralized blanket statement "The higher power is to be expected, as cars generally make more power on ethanol" had me 😕:shocked:, but still cool as hell :thumbsup:
 
higher octane = higher compression = more energy extractable, iirc.

so, when cars are designed to run exclusively on E85, the extra efficiency will make up for some of the lower energy content of E85?
 
neat but i agree with the first comment. although using ethanol is better in the long run, any fuel be it electricity of ethanol still needs to be produced somewhere where oil is usually used.
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
I thought it had less energy than gasoline?
Less energy, but higher octane. So if you have a high performance engine tuned for that octane, looks like you can get some extra performance out of it.
 
http://e85fuel.com/e85101/faq.php

Ethanol has less energy content than gasoline. However, E85 also has a much higher octane (ranging from 100 to 105) than gasoline. FFVs are not optimized to E85, so they experience a 10-15% drop in fuel economy. This will vary based on the way one drives, the air pressure in the tires, and additional driving conditions..

For comparison purposes, aggressive driving habits can result in a 20% loss and low tire pressure can reduce mileage by 6%. Research indicates Ford FFVs experience a 5% horsepower gain on E85. The range of any particular vehicle is dependent on the size of the fuel tank and driving habits. Current Ford Taurus FFVs have an 18-gallon fuel tank and will normally travel 350 miles between refuelings.
 
My senior design team will be running E85 in this year's turbocharged Formula SAE car (Link). The main reason we are making the switch is that E85 (alcohol) burns much cooler than 100 octane gasoline. When you make lots of power, you burn lots of gas. When you burn lots of gas, you make lots of heat. The less heat you make, the less heat you have to remove.
 
Originally posted by: Umberger
My senior design team will be running E85 in this year's turbocharged Formula SAE car (Link). The main reason we are making the switch is that E85 (alcohol) burns much cooler than 100 octane gasoline. When you make lots of power, you burn lots of gas. When you burn lots of gas, you make lots of heat. The less heat you make, the less heat you have to remove.

This must be your mug shot?

http://vtmotorsports.com/teampics/orange_2006/umberger.jpg
 
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
I thought it had less energy than gasoline?
Less energy, but higher octane. So if you have a high performance engine tuned for that octane, looks like you can get some extra performance out of it.

that I did not know...interesting...


so the middle class gets fvked again😛
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Nope. I'd be very very happy with a bone stock Lotus Elise. 😀
Did the rental place charge you for the white stains all over the inside, outside, and even in the tip of the tailpipes?
 
Originally posted by: Googer
Originally posted by: Umberger
My senior design team will be running E85 in this year's turbocharged Formula SAE car (Link). The main reason we are making the switch is that E85 (alcohol) burns much cooler than 100 octane gasoline. When you make lots of power, you burn lots of gas. When you burn lots of gas, you make lots of heat. The less heat you make, the less heat you have to remove.

This must be your mug shot?

http://vtmotorsports.com/teampics/orange_2006/umberger.jpg

argh! terrible picture. 🙁
 
Back
Top