Octane Fuel?

[jaydog19833]

So I was reading in my manual today that you can add grain alcohol to gasoline to create a more powerful fuel. My manual is in my bike right now, so my facts may be a bit off. But I think it said 10% grain alcohol and 90% gas creates ethenol gas? Have any of you done this? Is it dangerous or harmful to the engine? Does it make the fuel burn hotter? I'm just curious let me know what you guys think/know.

[Clint]

Grain alcohol is ethanol. Around here, there's a big push for corn-based fuels. You find 10% in much of the retail gas in Minnesota. The governor is pushing for 20% because it's cleaner and reduces foreign oil dependance, but alcohol is harder on engine seals and other soft parts. It also tends to decrease fuel economy slightly, which indicates to me that it makes less power in vehicles not specifically designed for it.

Race cars have long used alcohol, but they're designed from the ground up to handle the higher pressures and corrosiveness. IIRC, the Bandit is limited to 10% by the manufacturer's recommendations.

BTW, your post title indicates a discussion of octane. Does ethanol modify octane levels, or are you just confused? Simply as a reminder I'll mention that higher octane does not equal more power.

[jaydog19833]

All in alll I was just wondering WHAT this type of alcohol would do for my bike. I figured if it was supposed to me more effective and safe to use there was a reason it is in the manual. Im actually a little confused now because you are saying it may make less HP, damage your engine and lower gas mileage. Why did they even put that in he manual?

[inspiron]

Because there are countries on this planet where a gallon of gasoline may not contain much gasoline. It may be punched with vodka, alcohol, water, rust, vegetable oil or other chemicals they are trying to get rid of.

In the USA or Canada, or western Europe you won't have much of a problem. But when you get over into the former Soviet countries in Eastern Europe, gas is no longer pure gasoline (or petrol for the UK guys).

[TL chris]

If you feel like reading a lot.

alcohol conversion procedures

Or maybe a another link to bring you closer.

another explanation

[mr_resistible]

Ethanol is a big thing here in Nebraska, we seem to have an over abundance of corn. I think prety much everything here contains 10% ITs hard to find a gas station without it. But because of the alcohol content it does evaparate quicker, it burns cleaner, and you do get less fuel mileage. The cool thing they actually have this stuff called E85 gasoline which some new vehicles are actually equiped to run it. It is 85% ethanol, and its about 40 cents a gallon cheaper but you cant run it in a regular car unless you get some type of conversion.

[Clint]

Yeah, that's what Ford's Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV's) run on.

[themeatmanlandry]

I heard once that we'd have to plant nothing but corn in this country if we wanted to run our cars on corn-derived ethanol. It would take that much corn to fuel our autos.

[Clint]

Yeah, we do drive WAY TOO STINKIN' MUCH.

[jaydog19833]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Yeah, we do drive WAY TOO STINKIN' MUCH.

Or buy wasteful gashogs. Hell yes my Dodge Magnum NEEDS a Hemi! (bullsh*t).
Pretty soon minivans will come with supercharged V8's or hemis........

[Clint]

Yup.

[themeatmanlandry]

Seriously, my next car's going to be a little Honda Civic station wagon. I want a brand new one, preferably a 4-door hatchback, with a little engine and a 5-speed.

I want enough space to put stuff in there (including the girl). I also want the car to be small enough to get good mileage.

I've got a bike for speed, and a beat-up truck for hauling stuff . . . now I want a small car to get me around.

Screw the refineries and screw the ad campaigns. I want a small economy car!!

Mark my words . . . the SUV crowd is about to be woken up by the reality of poor re-sale value (if it hasn't happened already).

[Uncle Bob]

My VW TDI gets above 55mpg ! Damn it's hard to justify a bike when your car gets better fuel mileage !

[tlwisner]

I want a hummer.

[Uncle Bob]

Just find yourself the right girl.

[Trapper]

ooooooooooohhh. Yer bad.

[inspiron]

As I've posted before, my bike and my Golf TDI get about the same mileage - 6 liters per 100 km (39 mpg).

[mr_resistible]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Seriously, my next car's going to be a little Honda Civic station wagon. I want a brand new one, preferably a 4-door hatchback, with a little engine and a 5-speed.

I want enough space to put stuff in there (including the girl). I also want the car to be small enough to get good mileage.

I've got a bike for speed, and a beat-up truck for hauling stuff . . . now I want a small car to get me around.

Screw the refineries and screw the ad campaigns. I want a small economy car!!

Mark my words . . . the SUV crowd is about to be woken up by the reality of poor re-sale value (if it hasn't happened already).

Yeah I have a 97 Mazda 626 4cy 4dr 5spd, A/C comphy seats, tires are cheap, cheap insurance. It gets 35 mpg and I can fold the back seats down and use it as a truck. I can haul 2x4's, counter tops, 4 of my friends. I can get my Mt Bike in it and I have also carried a full set of tires and wheels for my other car, and a transmission. Also if your camping and it gets cold. Just fold the back seats down and the trunk makes a nice bed. And here is an added bonus. I have a lot of high school girls waving at me, probably becasue all there friends drive the exact same car. ( admit I drive a girlie car) I do like to get the Nova out and play every once and a while. But at 10mpg that dosent happen very often. Now when I feel the need to raise a little hell and make some noise. I get out the bike.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by mr_resistible

Yeah I have a 97 Mazda 626 4cy 4dr 5spd, A/C comphy seats, tires are cheap, cheap insurance. It gets 35 mpg and I can fold the back seats down and use it as a truck. <snippy>

Definitely an option. Made by Ford (ugh) but still an option. I'm leaning towards a Honda. I've never seen a comparable car that can equal my '03 Accord in terms of fit and finish. IMHO, this car has it all (except the hatchback, the 4 cylinder, and the 5-speed).

[SDSUsnowboards]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Definitely an option. Made by Ford (ugh) but still an option. I'm leaning towards a Honda. I've never seen a comparable car that can equal my '03 Accord in terms of fit and finish. IMHO, this car has it all (except the hatchback, the 4 cylinder, and the 5-speed).

Go with the Honda!!!
But be warned. The feul economy is GREAT with little 4 bangers. But when you pack it was 4 people and some luggage... that thing will have a tough time getting up to freeway speed and maintaining it (I'm talking 65-70 mph here). It's really frusterating to be getting some where s-l-o-w-l-y. Your personality might not mind that though, I tend to get uncomfortble. In any case, all that great mileage burns away into sub great when you start giving it 100% throttle just to keep up with the other cars around you.
I good trade off (imo) between economy and power is actually a 2.3 ford focus. Torque enough to haul people and luggage, but the mileage is quite good; 29/33 according to my bro who has one.