Ethanol and people using it.

Ethanol and people using it.

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Discussion

Nic Jones

Original Poster:

7,058 posts

221 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
quotequote all
Hi all I'm wondering if any of the racers or team crew on here can help, as part of a project I'm doing I'm looking into the use of ethanol in racing cars, including cooling, emissions, changes in noise and power increases etc.

Can anyone point me in the direction of teams to ask about this or give me any information on the matter.

PM me if you'd prefer than spread it on the interweb and as this is for a university project it won't be shared out amongst the masses (formula student project).

Thanks in advance.

combemarshal

2,030 posts

227 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
quotequote all
All the MG's in the BTCC use it, and the Vauxhaul of Fionna Legget, I guess there will be someone somewhere at Autosport international too that could help.

thunderbelmont

2,982 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
quotequote all
Nic,

Are you thinking about pure Ethanol, the 90% Blend that EEMS supported or E85 that you can buy from Morrisons for about 12p/litre less than U/Leaded, or from Carless for twice the price of unleaded but in "motorsport spec"(never heard so much bull!)
???

As some guidance - E85 has an octane rating of 102 compared to regular U/Leaded at 95, or Shell V-Power at 99. For E85 Ethanol your fuel air mixture will be 40% thicker, and it washes the bores like only alcohol can! So you need good oil.

It looks like the MSA are slowly waking up to the reality of the world and in 2007 alternative fuels will be covered in the blue book.

If your a BARC Member, Startline will be on your doormat in the next day or so. There's an interesting article in there from the man at EEMS, but much witchcraft is spoken of.

In reality, just talk to:

Old school racers that used Methanol years ago before the MSA stopped it.
Hillclimbers & Sprinters that use(d) it.
Brazillians.
Speedway riders that use it (I think they've gone Ethanol now, or my rumour mill is faulty).

Or just look at the plethora of US sites where they give you info on running circle track cars on gas or alcohol.

My engine builder can sell me a carb to bolt straight to my V8 Chevy for use with alcohol fuels. All I have to do then is keep changing the oil, and be prepared to drain my fuel tank and lines after every meeting. That way the fuel does eat o-rings, pipes, and the fuel cell.

If you have a very very large budget, you could ask Ricardo to do study for you.

The future is green.

The fushia is incahol. (hic!).

Rob.

Nic Jones

Original Poster:

7,058 posts

221 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for your help.

We are looking into running a Formula Student car on Ethanol but this is something which is fairly new in the FS world and something our Uni has certainly never done so unchartered territory it is!

There's a lot to be looked at.

marc w

3,782 posts

212 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
quotequote all
I would imagine EEMS would be able to help you;

www.eemsonline.co.uk

Nic Jones

Original Poster:

7,058 posts

221 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
quotequote all
Thanks already had a look at that site, makes for interesting bedtime reading!

Its E85 we're looking at as well.