Are you or anyone you know ever run on ethanol?  I know methanol is

popular

with racer.

In 1992, Ford Motor Company sponsored a Hybrid Electric Vehicle
competition. Competitors were allowed to run 100% ethanol, 85% methanol,
or plain gasoline.

We ran ethanol in a series hybrid. We did not attempt to optimize the
engine for running on ethanol, other than adjusting the fuel injection
pressure for the proper ratio.

Ethanol had some advantages and disadvantages:
- Octane rating of 110 or so
- Free to us from the Illinois Corn Grower's Association
- Government didn't like the idea of university students having 100%
ethanol around. Eventually, we had to mix it with 5% gasoline.
- Mileage is in fact lower due to the heat energy of the fuel, as noted
below
- The cooling effect of ethanol may be more effective than gasoline,
which would be of interest in turbo/super charged applications

Regards,

Rob

Thanks Rob,

Yes since I will be running a turbo my interest peaked when I read that
alcohol can run at higher boost and doesn't detonate as easily as gasoline.
What that statement means I've yet to qualify though.
I am curious what criterion are needed when determining the intake manifold
length when the engine is turbo-charged.

Doug in Japan

A turbo responds to the same tuning effects as a normally aspirated engine.
In effect it is free super charging. That means for a given effective intake manifold
pressure there is less back pressure on the turbo. Less back pressure less torque
is lost to driving the rotor around. There fore the BSFC is improved.

Paul Lamar
 
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