Premium gas now E10

[ashanson]

Has anyone else noticed that more stations are starting to put 10% ethanol in the 91 octane? I had never seen this until the past month or so, I first noticed it at the Pilot on Douglas and I80/35, and then again at a Casey's on Hickman a mile west of interstate.

Has anyone heard anything about all gas moving to E10 in Iowa (like a lot of other states)? I prefer to get BP gas so I'm mostly concerned with what they are going to do. I'm getting tuned this coming weekend in Kansas City and all their gas is E10 so I was going to bring a few cans from here with no ethanol because a 3% fueling difference is significant in my mind.

[93stang5oh]

I think Qwik Star has had 10% in their premium for the last several years, but haven't noticed it at other brands.

[AutoMods]

i paid attention to it last fall/winter and most stations around here did not mix ethanol into their premium. i'll keep an eye out though

[slow ride]

Anything over 92 and it's been like that for quite some time in the waterloo/cf area. I have noticed more and more 91 e10 stuff though. It seems like the des moines area has some of the lower octane pumps around. The further east you go it seems to be easier to find 92+. We have one place in waterloo that has shell v power 93 non ethonal, but thats the only place. I either go to quick star for 92 or walmart 93 both e10 fuels.

[ashanson]

I wish we had 92 or 93 in Des Moines. I don't really care about the E10 as it helps a little with knock resistance, but I just want consistency especially during/after the tune.

[speedmaster85]

Walmart in Altonna has 93 enthnol blend year round. If that helps.

[sparkles]

Unfortunately, it's a supply and demand type of thing. The average american consumer just looks at the price of something instead of what they're actually buying. 10% blend is cheap (although more expensive in the long run all around, including the cost of food), therefor that's what the majority of people are going to buy. If the fuel suppliers can advertise the same octane and save a little money with blending it, just like coffee, guess what they're gonna do? They don't care about people like us that actually care.

My .02, find a fuel that's going to be the most consistent and tune it for that. 93 is nice, but is it really needed in your case? I know it sucks. I know it first hand. I'm still confused as to why E85 is no more, even though that's what they advertise it as.

[AutoMods]

who said e85 is no more?

[c_mart_28]

My ethanol content sensor. It was e70 around these parts all last year.

[ashanson]

I love e85, ethanol is awesome for boosted cars. I just want consistency, and in MN they are seeing e58 or similar at the pumps in winter. All I want is 91-93 with no ethanol or 10%, just the same thing year round.

[sparkles]

I've been testing for over a year, every tank. Last time I tested actually 85% was Fall of 2011.

[AutoMods]

I just tested a couple hours ago in North Liberty, just a hair of 70% . I think I tested mid 2012 it it was around 85%

[ashanson]

Walmart in Altonna has 93 enthnol blend year round. If that helps.

I wish it were closer, I'm about as far away as you can get on Jordan Creek Parkway. 9psi on 11.5:1 compression pistons isn't too crazy, but the 93 with ethanol would be a nice little safety buffer over the 91.
I guess I'll just keep getting the 91 at BP for now and hope they don't change the blend.

For the E85 I think around June it gets into the 80-85% range.

[AutoMods]

Has anyone else noticed that more stations are starting to put 10% ethanol in the 91 octane? I had never seen this until the past month or so, I first noticed it at the Pilot on Douglas and I80/35, and then again at a Casey's on Hickman a mile west of interstate.

Has anyone heard anything about all gas moving to E10 in Iowa (like a lot of other states)? I prefer to get BP gas so I'm mostly concerned with what they are going to do. I'm getting tuned this coming weekend in Kansas City and all their gas is E10 so I was going to bring a few cans from here with no ethanol because a 3% fueling difference is significant in my mind.

3% is pretty minor. I see lots of brand new injectors flow test results vary by more than 3% out of the box. I also logged pulsations in my fuel pressure @ the rail on my own car from like 56-61psi so there is another 3-4% possible fluctuation in fueling. fuel pump voltage, your tune at different air temps, coolant temps, etc etc. why not throw fuel inconsistencies into the mix too :)

if i wasn't on e85 , I'd just tune for e10 over straight 91 or 93. I would think the ethanol benefits would outweigh any inconsistencies. I've never tested e10 but I wonder if e10 mix % is more consistent than e85 because there is no winter/summer mix.

found this chart on when the different blends of e85 typically come out. but this data is from 2006 http://www.e85mustangs.com/regions123.html

[ashanson]

I suppose, 3% is only about .35:1 AFR change in open loop, not terrible. I guess I'll plan on tuning on e10 and if I get straight 91 it will just richen up a little. Thanks for the help.