6.2 E85 Conversion

crafferty · April 13, 2015

My understanding is that a higher flow fuel pump is needed as well to run E85. Now with us having the 6.2L maybe that is something that is already included with the motor.

Stoddard · April 16, 2015

No I have not heard anything on needing upgrades. To my understanding, the vette guys are running quite a bit of HP (over 600 I think) on stock fueling. Seems the only real issue is getting the flow through the injectors and high pressure pump. I don't think many aftermarket alternatives exist for the high pressure system yet. I know I read of some upgrading to a zo6 high pressure pump and also shimming it or something for more stroke. I will find out more info. But as far as a stock engine, converting to e85, there is no extra hardware needed besides the sensor and accomodations to hook it up.

crafferty · April 17, 2015

Anyone have a part number for this sensor? Would it be the same sensor used on the 5.3 (L83)?

Stoddard · April 18, 2015

Yeah that should work.

crafferty · April 18, 2015

Yeah that should work.

Hmm this interesting. I'm going to have to see if any local tuners can get e85 going on my truck.

Stoddard · April 19, 2015

They have to keep in mind e70 during winter. I dunno if its just a simple straight e85 tune. It has to be flex fuel and work on all mixes and types

crafferty · April 20, 2015

They have to keep in mind e70 during winter. I dunno if its just a simple straight e85 tune. It has to be flex fuel and work on all mixes and types

That's a good point you bring up. There's a local shop that specializes in boosted in corvettes and mustangs. A lot of those cars are running E85 so I'll see what they say and report back.

Stoddard · April 20, 2015

Heres what i heard from the vette forum.

They seem to fall on their face right around 600whp, that's the limit of the high pressure pump if everything is stock. The addition of a cam with different pump drive lobe, the most common being the 32% increase and a lash cap will give you some more head room as well. There is also the LT4/Z06 pump that can be used in conjunction with the increased cam drive lobe, but I don't think any of us have a definitive answer as to what its limits are yet. I've got one swapped in but have not retuned the car yet.

The stock pump with cam increase and the addition of methanol injection has already proven time after time around here to support 800-1000whp, so making power is not a issue. Especially for the trucks, you will blow that transmission before you stop making power.

redwngr · April 20, 2015

gM powertrain ratings for the 8L90:

Maximum engine power: 650 Hp (485 kW)

Maximum engine torque: 635 lb-ft (860 Nm)

Maximum gearbox torque: 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm)

http://gmpowertrain.com/VehicleEngines/PowertrainProducts.aspx

crafferty · April 21, 2015

gM powertrain ratings for the 8L90:

Maximum engine power: 650 Hp (485 kW)

Maximum engine torque: 635 lb-ft (860 Nm)

Maximum gearbox torque: 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm)

http://gmpowertrain.com/VehicleEngines/PowertrainProducts.aspx

What does these numbers actually mean? Reason I say that is I looked up my 6L80 and for my 6.2L the numbers don't make sense. My stock HP is only 49 away from trasmissions limit while my torque is 20 over it.

6L80 Ratings

469 bhp max engine hp

439 lb-ft max engine tq

664 lb-ft max gear box tq

2014/2015 L86 ratings

420 bhp

460 lb-ft

redwngr · April 22, 2015

They will also have 'duty cycle' and 'life cycle' numbers they apply when establishing eng/trans combo suitability.

No manufacturer is ever going publish that type of number.

Higgs Boson · May 1, 2015

Yes, making the 6.2 E85 is easily accomplished.

I run E85 exclusively in my C7 and my 2015 2500HD but it is already Flex Fuel. I am thinking about trading my 2500 for a 6.2 1500 in the next few days so that will be E85 as well.

Since I only run E85 in the C7 and I tune myself, I didn't buy the sensor to make it Flex Fuel. I just retuned for the E85. So easy a caveman could do it.

As far as the C7 goes, HP limits depend on the weakest link. I am not sure if the in tank pump is the same in the trucks but people are getting over 800 rwhp on the stock in tank pump (on 93).

The HPFP is good for 600 rwhp with the stock camshaft fuel lobe.

These motors run totally differently with regard to fueling. The in tank pump feeds the High Pressure Fuel pump (located under the intake manifold) with around 50 psi and the HPFP converts it to 2100 psi in the C7 and 2900 psi in the C7Z06. The HPFP is completely controllable through the tune, one can up pressure and make the injectors act bigger.

The stock parts in the C7, and I am sure the same with the truck have plenty of headroom to run E85 with no extra parts unless you want the sensor to be real Flex Fuel. The only time you will need more cam lobe or bigger HPFP is if you want to run E85 and boost.

crafferty · May 3, 2015

Yes, making the 6.2 E85 is easily accomplished.

I run E85 exclusively in my C7 and my 2015 2500HD but it is already Flex Fuel. I am thinking about trading my 2500 for a 6.2 1500 in the next few days so that will be E85 as well.

Since I only run E85 in the C7 and I tune myself, I didn't buy the sensor to make it Flex Fuel. I just retuned for the E85. So easy a caveman could do it.

As far as the C7 goes, HP limits depend on the weakest link. I am not sure if the in tank pump is the same in the trucks but people are getting over 800 rwhp on the stock in tank pump (on 93).

The HPFP is good for 600 rwhp with the stock camshaft fuel lobe.

These motors run totally differently with regard to fueling. The in tank pump feeds the High Pressure Fuel pump (located under the intake manifold) with around 50 psi and the HPFP converts it to 2100 psi in the C7 and 2900 psi in the C7Z06. The HPFP is completely controllable through the tune, one can up pressure and make the injectors act bigger.

The stock parts in the C7, and I am sure the same with the truck have plenty of headroom to run E85 with no extra parts unless you want the sensor to be real Flex Fuel. The only time you will need more cam lobe or bigger HPFP is if you want to run E85 and boost.

Awesome information! I'd like to get the sensor so I can fill up with 93 if need be without retuning.