Flex Engine ?

[John..neAR]

My 05 Silverado w/5.3 engine is not a flex fuel engine.

 

I see the day coming when I might want to burn E85. What are the differences between a flex fuel and reg. gas engine?

 

Can my engine be converted w/ reasonable expense, or would an aftermarket chip do almost the same thing.

 

Thanks,

John

[GM-Tech]

The major difference in a flex-fuel engine is not in the engine itself, but in the fuel system. Alcohol is corrosive and the standard components would not stand up to it. Plus, the system needs to be able to detect how much alcohol is in the fuel and adjust accordingly. It ain't just a chip. There may also be some mechanical differences, but I'm not aware of them.

 

From what I've heard from those who already have a flex-fuel vehicle and have used E85, there is little if any $$$ saved. You would never recover the thousands you'd spend to convert your fuel system properly to be able to run that stuff.