[bri-rock]

My most recent plan had been to get a crate 383 with a carb for my 67 coupe. My plan was to run a high compression (13 to 1) with the idea that I would be able to run E85 (higher octane at 103+). Why? Call it a political statement. Call it a challenge. Whatever it is, I want to do it. Short-term, however, there are almost no stations selling E85 on the west coast. I thought, "well, I'll just run water injection on the above set-up which is proven to work with real high pressures (turbos, etc).

Well, a buddy at work (whose opinion I respect on cars) thinks I have rocks in my head for not considering an LS1. He thinks that its the best power for the money, plus the added control. Anyway, I'm worried that going this way would completely eliminate the possibility of running E85 in the future.

Okay, so there it is, someone push me off this fence...

[Lance-w]

400 hp and 25 mpg. I'm sold. I bought the entire 200 LS1-T56 combo for $3500. It'd cost that much for the 383. I want to build a car I can take on long trips. The mileage potential sold me.

[bri-rock]

Okay, so the price is right and the performance on pump gas is great. What about the alternative fuel part? Any companies deal with this on EFI?

[Doug F.]

I haven't personally done an E85 EFI conversion, but just get the parts compatible with ethanol fuel (hoses and metal) and get some injectors that are about 60% or so larger than you'd use with gas and you should be ok, especially if you get a wideband sensor compatible that reads E85.

[bri-rock]

Thanks to all for the replys. I have since found about three different companies that sell aftermarket EFI systems that can be adapted to run as flex fuel. There is sensor in the fuel line that determines the ethanol percentage and the pulse duration is extended or shortend accordingly for the injectors. As mentioned above, the injector size needs to be changed also and the metals and any hoses, gaskets must be compatible. I think I'm sold on going to EFI. Now, I'm just shopping for a good price on a used LS1.

[Rich-Allen]

LS1 engines are a dime a dozen.
Call some wrecking yards and get a complete motor with all the electrical (ecm, harness)

You should be able to pick something up for around $1500.

[Lance-w]

This is a great place to learn about the swap. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=28

This is someone that is currently doing a swap into a 67 RS/SS. Good reading and lots of pictures.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=684612

Also beware there's a lot of incedental "gotta have this to make that work" type cost associated with swapping. I haven't by any means spent all the money I'm going to need to for the swap but I would venture to say that buying the motor is only about half the cost or less than half the cost. For example to do the fuel system the "right" way you really need to buy a aftermarket tank. "THE" aftermarket tank to get costs $1100 for a flippin gas tank. There's people doing the fuel system other ways but the right way is with the tank designed for EFI. Do your research on the LS1tech site before you jump......

[CGFlyer61]

The guy over on LS1Tech mentioned he was very satisfied with a supplier in SC. I didn't copy the name down, but it is in the very detailed thread. I think he finally got the car running right just a couple of days ago. That is definitely the way I'm leaning with my 6 cyl 'vert. I can't wait for winter!

Dan

[scblucam]

In my humble opinion E85 is a scam to benefit Archer Daniels. It gas raised the cost of beef and chicken. And have you seen the cost of tacos?
Not to mention that it uses more power to create than it provides.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by scblucam

In my humble opinion E85 is a scam to benefit Archer Daniels. It gas raised the cost of beef and chicken. And have you seen the cost of tacos?
Not to mention that it uses more power to create than it provides.

Amen brother!

[DOUG G]

Originally Posted by scblucam

In my humble opinion E85 is a scam to benefit Archer Daniels. It gas raised the cost of beef and chicken. And have you seen the cost of tacos?
Not to mention that it uses more power to create than it provides.

Agreed.

You only get ???? 60% ???? or so mpg (E85 Vs. gas)

[Rhino]

Originally Posted by DOUG G

Agreed.

You only get ???? 60% ???? or so mpg (E85 Vs. gas)

I think what scblucam meant is that it takes more BTU to produce a gallon of E85 than the BTU it produces. When you're figuring the total BTU involved (including incidentals such as diesel for tractor/combine/spray rig fuel, fertilizer production, transportation, etc...) you burn more energy than the fuel provides. You end up with an energy deficit.

I do, however, agree with your decreased mileage comment as well.

[scblucam]

Not to mention that even with E10, if you are a boater with a fiberglass tank you risk not only clogging your filters, but turning your boat into a fire ball because many of the resins previously used are eaten by the alchohol causing the tank to leak into the bilge. Reference Boat US magazine from a couple of months ago with the story of a Senators megaboat severely damaged. I have had fuel problems since it was intriduced. I don't want to get political here but this is wrong.

[Rodder]

The next big scam is hydrogren... the only cost effective way to produce mass quantities of hydrogen is steam reforming of natural gas. It's cheaper and more efficient to just burn the friggin natural gas in the first place, and it doesn't do squat for the economy in the big picture since we're already having to import natural gas to supplement domestic supplies. There are some people working on algae that produce hydrogen, but I haven't seen anything economically viable yet.

[EvilZ28]

Originally Posted by Rodder

The next big scam is hydrogren... the only cost effective way to produce mass quantities of hydrogen is steam reforming of natural gas. It's cheaper and more efficient to just burn the friggin natural gas in the first place, and it doesn't do squat for the economy in the big picture since we're already having to import natural gas to supplement domestic supplies. There are some people working on algae that produce hydrogen, but I haven't seen anything economically viable yet.

This always seem to make me laugh, But it seems every power source that is safe for the environment is usually released or produced slowly. In todays fast world, we need energy now!!! So when a process is increased in speed that used to be harmless, seems to either make pollutants which are harmless or becomes deficient meaning it takes more energy to make then worth. I am in no way saying this is true but it just seems to be the way it always goes. Look at the Hybrid. Proven studies have shown that your are really not saving any money driving one in the way of fuel efficiency. Just in tax dollars. Again just what I have noticed. Going back to the question at hand. Go with the Injection, You will be very happy. I have a 383 LT1 Supercharged, and Intercooled. Best time on her is 9.80 and it is in a 95 Transam. The nice thing is I can drive it and I get around 19 miles to the gallon. Not to bad with 60 LBS injectors. I also am installing a LS2 in a 69 Nova as for the Fuel Mileage, Reliability, And it does run cleaner then a Carburetor. Not that I am a tree hugger or anything. LOL Mainly for the power. : )