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Converted to E85

bobbobtar

By bobbobtar
in Modifications & Accessories

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Carl T Enthusiast

Carl T

Posted
Posted

Do not put E85 in a stock non E85 truck. They do not have the ability to recognize or perform self checks on the sensor. You will likely set 171/174 codes.

 

As for the hoses it is a great way to do it. We install and sell our kits because they are quicker to install and work on all vehicles.

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bobbobtar
bobbobtar

Just converted my 2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 5.3L Double Cab to run E85 same as my 2014 GMC Sierra 5.3L. The Chevy did not come from the factory as a flex fuel, but the GMC did, these are the GM parts I

bobbobtar
bobbobtar

Seat of the pants, I could tell it was different, felt like it had better acceleration.

transam69230
transam69230

I would completely advise against running e85 in your truck until you get the ECU tuned.

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Carl T Enthusiast

Carl T

Posted
Posted (edited)

So if the truck is a "flex fuel truck" then why didn't it have the sensor already? That indicates that it is not setup for flex fuel in my opinion.

 

If your tech is a GM service technician I would take that with a grain of salt and do your own homework on it.

 

You could certainly be right, but it I'd verify that with a tuner that uses an aftermarket tool such as HP tuners.

 

They don't install sensors in the trucks because they cost millions for ppl that do not use them. My guess is they made them standard on 14 5.3'some to show off the gains and then made them optional.

Edited by Carl T
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bobbobtar Enthusiast

bobbobtar

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Do not put E85 in a stock non E85 truck. They do not have the ability to recognize or perform self checks on the sensor. You will likely set 171/174 codes.

 

As for the hoses it is a great way to do it. We install and sell our kits because they are quicker to install and work on all vehicles.

Ran two tanks of E85 thru the truck before I got around to installing the hoses and sensor and did not throw any codes. Carl my independent GM tech. could not find a way to flash my 2016 truck(nothing in the ECM) have you done any new trucks yet, my theory is once a sensor gets plug in the computer sees it. Just like when you plug a printer into your desktop.

transam69230 Enthusiast

transam69230

Posted
Posted

You need someone with hptuners or efilive. I suggest pulling the computer out and mailing it to Cjtunes.com aka Carl T or finding a local competent tuner in your area.

 

They will be able to flash your computer for the fuel composition sensor you installed and it will function correctly.

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Scooter Scott Enthusiast

Scooter Scott

Posted
Posted

You need someone with hptuners or efilive. I suggest pulling the computer out and mailing it to Cjtunes.com aka Carl T or finding a local competent tuner in your area.

 

They will be able to flash your computer for the fuel composition sensor you installed and it will function correctly.

 

I don't see how if a GM tech can't program it in the ECU how hptuners or EFI live can.

Rawyzf Senior Enthusiast

Rawyzf

Posted
Posted

Ran two tanks of E85 thru the truck before I got around to installing the hoses and sensor and did not throw any codes. Carl my independent GM tech. could not find a way to flash my 2016 truck(nothing in the ECM) have you done any new trucks yet, my theory is once a sensor gets plug in the computer sees it. Just like when you plug a printer into your desktop.

Plugging a $100 printer into a $500 Laptop vs $50 sensor into a $45000 truck is a bit different.

 

I hope your tech knows what he's doing. 50% of the ones I've dealt with didn't seem to know much more than your typical printer repair man.

 

Sent from Tapatalk App - Samsung S6

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bobbobtar Enthusiast

bobbobtar

Posted
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The point being is that the computer recognized the sensor and did not have to be flashed.

Rawyzf Senior Enthusiast

Rawyzf

Posted
Posted

The point being is that the computer recognized the sensor and did not have to be flashed.

I don't think that's the case.

 

You said you ran 2 tanks of e85 before you even installed the sensor.

 

Your truck may run with E85, but I'm guessing timing etc is not where it should be.

 

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SouthernSilveradoGuy85 Senior Enthusiast

SouthernSilveradoGuy85

Posted
Posted

I thought flex fuel engines required different fuel injectors that can spray at a higher PSI. If so then I guess they just put the E85 spec injectors in all of them, at least all of the 4.3s and 5.3s.

Carl T Enthusiast

Carl T

Posted
Posted

The point being is that the computer recognized the sensor and did not have to be flashed.

 

Incorrect, the ECU sees a frequency output from the sensor but does nothing with it. Think of it a an employee yelling feedback to a deaf manager, not going to help. The 16 tune files have a stoich of 14.11:1 across the board for the AFR vs alcohol % so even if it could tell the % it would not alter the commanded AFR's.

 

If your dealer tech knew what he was doing he could flash a stock flex file into your truck and ENABLE the fuel composition sensor. Without some sort of programming you are doing more harm than good.

I thought flex fuel engines required different fuel injectors that can spray at a higher PSI. If so then I guess they just put the E85 spec injectors in all of them, at least all of the 4.3s and 5.3s.

Flex or no flex they all received the same fuel system.

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bobbobtar Enthusiast

bobbobtar

Posted
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Posted

Carl, not dealer tech, BBP is doing that as we speak.

Carl T Enthusiast

Carl T

Posted
Posted

Carl, not dealer tech, BBP is doing that as we speak.

I assumed if you were working with a tech that would advise running a flex fuel sensor without a tune it was a dealer tech. I am sure they will take good care of you.

  • 2 years later...
RDKILL Enthusiast

RDKILL

Posted
Posted

I know this thread is 2yrs old, but I was searching E85 conversions to see what others have done.

I was just thinking of changing my fuel injectors to 750's and have BBP send me a tune for it, and was looking to see if anyone else has done this.

I guess as of 2yrs ago, no one has...LOL!

 

I currently run a 50/50 E85/93oct and have no issues other than a quicker response and pick up.

I have been running this mixture for over a year now and had it tuned with BBP to run the 50/50 mixture, I haven't done anything else as far as fuel management goes. Same fuel lines/pump and no sensor.

My truck is a '16 RCSB and is NOT a factory Flex Fuel truck, so it's not like it can't be done, but a tune is a definite at minimum like what I did in order to make it work.

I hope this helps...
 

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Nasty Senior Enthusiast

Nasty

Posted
Posted
56 minutes ago, RDKILL said:

I know this thread is 2yrs old, but I was searching E85 conversions to see what others have done.

I was just thinking of changing my fuel injectors to 750's and have BBP send me a tune for it, and was looking to see if anyone else has done this.

I guess as of 2yrs ago, no one has...LOL!

 

I currently run a 50/50 E85/93oct and have no issues other than a quicker response and pick up.

I have been running this mixture for over a year now and had it tuned with BBP to run the 50/50 mixture, I haven't done anything else as far as fuel management goes. Same fuel lines/pump and no sensor.

My truck is a '16 RCSB and is NOT a factory Flex Fuel truck, so it's not like it can't be done, but a tune is a definite at minimum like what I did in order to make it work.

I hope this helps...
 

Your truck didnt have e85 at first and you just added injectors?

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