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Top Tier Gas and E85 Flex Fuel

Krusty

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newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
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All 2014+up 6.2 are NON Flex Fuel. 91 or higher octane for the 6.2. The 4.3 is flex fuel, and the 5.3 as of 2015 its a $100 option for flex fuel compatibility. On the HD, the 6.0 is flex fuel.

OldBlue61 Enthusiast

OldBlue61

Posted
Posted

All 2014+up 6.2 are NON Flex Fuel. 91 or higher octane for the 6.2. The 4.3 is flex fuel, and the 5.3 as of 2015 its a $100 option for flex fuel compatibility. On the HD, the 6.0 is flex fuel.

 

What did they do to make the 5.3 flex fuel? $100 doesn't seem like it would buy you a lot.

Krusty Enthusiast

Krusty

Posted
  • Author
Posted

All 2014+up 6.2 are NON Flex Fuel. 91 or higher octane for the 6.2. The 4.3 is flex fuel, and the 5.3 as of 2015 its a $100 option for flex fuel compatibility. On the HD, the 6.0 is flex fuel.

 

 

Crazy.........

 

Interestingly ethanol laced gas seems to have LESS energy than "pure gas".......... When I go from "Pure Gas" to 10% ethanol laced gas in my old cars '62 318 Dodge and '70 Cadillac 472 engines - The idle goes down significantly. Just had to do this because I got some water in the "Pure Gas"........ So much for "pure Gas".......... The idle went from 650 RPM to 350 RPM with no other adjustments.

 

I saw just the opposite last summer when I switched to "Pure Gas" - had to adjust the idles down.

 

http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WA

 

Of course a modern computer controlled engine will not see this, being self adjusting regardless of ethanol percentage.......

 

:driving:

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted

 

What did they do to make the 5.3 flex fuel? $100 doesn't seem like it would buy you a lot.

 

I'm pretty sure its the fact that there is no flex fuel sensor in the fuel line (fuel alcohol content sensor). Possibly something with the fuel line? Not sure on the line part. Some folks here have installed them on 5.3 trucks that were built with out it.

 

RPO codes for identifying flex fuel:

 

FHO: E15 max (non flex fuel)

 

FHS: E85 max (flex fuel)

Cowpie Senior Enthusiast

Cowpie

Posted
Posted

Yeah, I saw one of those ethanol sensors on eBay one time. Roughly the $100 price tag. It could be also that the ECM has to be reprogrammed to recognize it though. Not sure if that is true. All the fuel lines and other stuff is the same for all pickups irregardless if flex fuel or not.

SkiDooNick700 Enthusiast

SkiDooNick700

Posted
Posted

 

I'm pretty sure its the fact that there is no flex fuel sensor in the fuel line (fuel alcohol content sensor). Possibly something with the fuel line? Not sure on the line part. Some folks here have installed them on 5.3 trucks that were built with out it.

 

RPO codes for identifying flex fuel:

 

FHO: E15 max (non flex fuel)

 

FHS: E85 max (flex fuel)

Im just curious, do you have any comments on converting 6.2L engine to run on E85? Not how to do it, just about if there are issues with doing this.

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted

Looks like flex fuel not available with the 8 speed.

 

"FHS E85 FlexFuel capable

Base and SLE - Optional with (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine with (MYC) 6-speed automatic transmission or included with (LV3) 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine. Not available with (ZW9) pickup box delete.
SLT - Optional with (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine with (MYC) 6-speed automatic transmission."
The alcohol sensor makes it so the fuel delivery can be correct for whatever % alcohol is in the tank.
When running higher % alcohol, higher HP is available.
Black02Silverado Senior Enthusiast

Black02Silverado

Posted
Posted

Old article – but confirms my suspicions...... If MPG is king - why make us run inefficient ethanol !

 

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a17240/how-does-ethanol-impact-fuel-efficiency/

 

:nonod:

My 02 isn't Flex Fuel but I run 50/50 E85 and premium. Can't run straight E85 because I'll run lean above 4k rpm. Mileage doesn't take as much of a hit as it would on straight E85. I like the fact that my combustion is cleaner. Do a search and you will see how nice and clean E85 burns.

Cowpie Senior Enthusiast

Cowpie

Posted
Posted

Old article – but confirms my suspicions...... If MPG is king - why make us run inefficient ethanol !

 

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a17240/how-does-ethanol-impact-fuel-efficiency/

 

:nonod:

 

 

What difference does it make? If I get 15 mpg average on E0 regular (which my 2500 does) at the current $2.54 a gallon for E0 in my area, that is almost 17 cents a mile fuel cost. If I get 11 mpg average on E85 (which I do) at the current cost in my area of $1.60, that is a fuel cost per mile of 14.5 cents a mile. So it is actually cheaper to use even with the lower mpg. Even E10 in my are is going for $2.29 and if I use the same 15 mpg as with E0 fuel, that cost per mile is 15.2 cents a mile, still higher than using E85 at current pricing. Only those that focus on mpg alone and not the actual cost per mile fall for this kind of article and internet banter.

 

So cost per mile comparison at current pricing. Of course, each region of the country is different....

 

E0 gas 17 cents a mile cost

E10 gas 15.2 cents a mile cost

E85 gas 14.5 cents a mile cost

 

Which would you prefer? Higher mpg at higher cost per mile or lower mpg at lower cost per mile? I'll take the later. I like to save money. And I get a 100 octane rated fuel that is clean burning, leaving fewer deposits, at a lower cost per mile than using the other fuels right now. Best of everything!

volcom8190 Enthusiast

volcom8190

Posted
Posted

you can retrofit the sensor into a 6.2 truck with ease using the CJTunes kit. it just requires alot of programming.

 

Im still working on the cold starts...its absolutely terrible below 50 outside on high contents (60% plus)

Krusty Enthusiast

Krusty

Posted
  • Author
Posted

What difference does it make? If I get 15 mpg average on E0 regular (which my 2500 does) at the current $2.54 a gallon for E0 in my area, that is almost 17 cents a mile fuel cost. If I get 11 mpg average on E85 (which I do) at the current cost in my area of $1.60, that is a fuel cost per mile of 14.5 cents a mile. So it is actually cheaper to use even with the lower mpg. Even E10 in my are is going for $2.29 and if I use the same 15 mpg as with E0 fuel, that cost per mile is 15.2 cents a mile, still higher than using E85 at current pricing. Only those that focus on mpg alone and not the actual cost per mile fall for this kind of article and internet banter.

 

So cost per mile comparison at current pricing. Of course, each region of the country is different....

 

E0 gas 17 cents a mile cost

E10 gas 15.2 cents a mile cost

E85 gas 14.5 cents a mile cost

 

Which would you prefer? Higher mpg at higher cost per mile or lower mpg at lower cost per mile? I'll take the later. I like to save money. And I get a 100 octane rated fuel that is clean burning, leaving fewer deposits, at a lower cost per mile than using the other fuels right now. Best of everything!

 

Interesting - Would still love to have a Pure-Gas option at the Top Tier pumps. For my pre-computer controlled classic cars..........

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