E85 Upgrade?

[euromade]

I am about to seal the deal on a 2015 Sierra. Has everything I want however it does not have the E85 "package/engine".

My 2014 Silverado was E85 capable, so I assumed all 2014+ were E85 certified.

 

Is this an add on my dealer could install? On the GMC's website it lists the E85 as a $100 add on feature.

 

 

 

[morrislee]

Look at the gas cap, if it is yellow, it has E85 capability

[Black02Silverado]

Not sure but I want to say the injectors are different and the ECM is tuned a different way, other than that the rest of the truck is capable of running E85. You could run it now but wouldn't get the full benefit.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Not sure what other parts would be needed but I know the computer is tuned different since it has to be able to sense the E85. I'm not sure why all engines in the '14 are E85 but not all in the '15s are. But then again, they added a few things to the '15 over the '14 lol. It maybe be an additional $100 but that doesn't mean it will only cost you $100 + labor to make it E85.

[tbarn]

Not to be the fly in the ointment but why on earth would anyone want e85

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Not to be the fly in the ointment but why on earth would anyone want e85

 

It gives you more power. Depending on the cost difference and if it's less than regular (which is usually is) it could be cheaper per tank or mile, but usually it's a little more since it takes more to burn and the cost difference isn't enough to even it out. I want to try it for a couple tanks, but I would have to go a good hour or more away so it doesn't make sense for me.

[Black02Silverado]

Not to be the fly in the ointment but why on earth would anyone want e85

For one, it burns cleaner, which means the inside of your engine will be cleaner. Ton of proof from UOA's where E85 has been run exclusively. Depending where you live it is less expensive, at least for now. Depending on the vehicle you can get added power as well.

 

[tbarn]

Wow, it's like a dollar a gallon more around here

[bigsapper]

My last fillup was 1.04 a gal.

[euromade]

My local gas station has alway been a $1 cheaper than the regular gas. Once the gas prices dipped into $1.70 they changed their price structure, however it is still 40% cheaper.

 

Ethanol yields 20% less miles per gallon, at the end of the day running on E85 is still 20% cheaper than the 87 octane in my case.

 

The lowest I've ever filled was $0.79/gal in early January...took a 300 mile trip for about $20 and it was in a snow storm with full time 4x4 on...

[TheTunaHunter]

Took my first tank (about 18gallons) E85 yesterday on my drive home. I actually sat at the pump for a good 15mins quickly reading the manual and some threads. In the end, decided to give it a try. Filled up at $2.09/gallon (credit price) vs $2.79/gallon for 89. The power increase is noticeable but so is the decreased mileage. Jury is still out on whether I'd fill up again with E85 but the truck runs just fine..

[KARNUT]

I don't run 87 gas for reason previously stated in the performance thread so its cheaper for me. Even if it was the same price Id run it, for the performance increase. I use to pay big buck for 25 HP now its free. Its cleaner for the engine.

[marshall1225]

Not sure what other parts would be needed but I know the computer is tuned different since it has to be able to sense the E85. I'm not sure why all engines in the '14 are E85 but not all in the '15s are. But then again, they added a few things to the '15 over the '14 lol. It maybe be an additional $100 but that doesn't mean it will only cost you $100 + labor to make it E85.

I have 2014 Silverado LTZ Z71 with the 6.2 and it is not Flex Fuel capable.

[Badnewcastle]

I'm baffled on this whole E85 thing... I'm using right now, 1st tank. Definately getting less MPG's but more power which is where the confusion for me comes in. From what read, the MPG drop is due to the fact that a gallon of gasoline has more energy than a gallon of ethanol. If that's the case then where does the extra power come from? Is it just burning that much faster?

[POS VETT]

I'm baffled on this whole E85 thing... I'm using right now, 1st tank. Definately getting less MPG's but more power which is where the confusion for me comes in. From what read, the MPG drop is due to the fact that a gallon of gasoline has more energy than a gallon of ethanol. If that's the case then where does the extra power come from? Is it just burning that much faster?

 

Nope, that's not the concept. Ethanol actually burns "slower".

 

Your engine has a very high compression which is directly connected to the requirement of fuel with high knock resistance, i.e. high octane rating. Using low or lower octane in this engine causes knock counts to go up which the PCM can detect which in turn causing the PCM to retard ignition timing and dump more fuel (richer mixture has a cooling effect). The result is a more sluggish engine response and reduced power output.

 

Take consideration that E85 burns cooler (alcohol has a much lower ignition temperature) which means lower amount of energy released which explains the higher (volumetric) fuel consumption. The direct injection fuel delivery, I believe, also helps with a slightly leaner mixture which helps with higher power output.