TeamSwift

Here in Colorado, Ethanol is readily available ( we produce the stuff ) .

I was wondering if people have run an Ethanol mixture in the little FI swifts? If so, what percentage. I have no expectation the cars can use E85, but maybe E40?

With the wonderful job BP is doing, I am expecting a slight increase in fuel prices shortly.

Max.

P.S. I plan on trying it in a 87 T3, and a 93 Metro. I'll report if I have any luck.

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Current cars :
93 Metro w / 1.0
02 Jetta TDi
98 Blazer 4.3L
69 Camaro w/ I6 250
66 Chevy II 283 V8
52 Hudson Hornet

Miss my 87 Turbo Sprint ...BUT :I JUST GOT ANOTHER ONE!!!!!
Inliners forever!!

Running ethanol in these cars is something that interests me as well. I know that the factory fuel system can tolerate about a 10% - 15% ethanol mix without problems. Anymore than that will require upgrading the fuel system, and retuning the motor.

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Ethanol is good stuff. Don't think you'll need anything more than bigger injectors/more pressure to run more.

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Contact 3tech: [email protected]

I tried a tank in the 93 Metro. The stock mixture definitely was too lean. The car ran, but I was not happy with the performance. Maybe the T3 will do better. Will report back later...

Max.

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Current cars :
93 Metro w / 1.0
02 Jetta TDi
98 Blazer 4.3L
69 Camaro w/ I6 250
66 Chevy II 283 V8
52 Hudson Hornet

Miss my 87 Turbo Sprint ...BUT :I JUST GOT ANOTHER ONE!!!!!
Inliners forever!!

ethanol in a mk1 will requires a new carb.
at any rate, IIRC there was a test of a trip to las vegas in a flex fuel suv. e85 cost more per MPG and the enviromental impact was negligable.
tho whats the octane rating on e85? would be very cool to run 13-1 comprsison

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"muchos tanks, village destruidos"
"muchos sanks, menos submarinos"
"its the dreams that keep you alive"
-vernon wasser-

88 sprint, 4dr sold
87 turbo 2dr, never ran
86 sprint, 2dr current DD!

Don't. Unless the car is set up from day one to run on it. Its a fools errand. I still think ethanol is a waste and I'm From a big ethanol state. If the manufacturers were to purpose build them to run on pure alcohol like they do in Brazil, Argentina and places of that nature. sign me up, But this movable mixture business e-10 (Ethanol) e-15 (What is supposed to be changed over to this year.) E-20-to e-25 (what the ethanol lobbyist are trying to stuff down our throats) is a non-starter Jonathan

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Current stable:
1987 Sprint Turbo (Porsche Guards Red) 75k 5sp,AC, w/cruise, Resto-Mod,owned since 1997) (looking for dash-pad)
1989 GTI (white)104k 5sp,AC (Resto-mod completed 1999). (looks great, But rusted out ,need clean southern body.)Help!?
1991 Vert (red) 129k 5sp,AC, Resto-Mod, 75% Done.(Clean SW car)
1993 GT(Teal) 103k 5sp,AC,w/PW (Resto-Mod,60% done.)(Clean SW car)
1994 Swift GS 4Dr sedan (Painted 2005 Ford Kona Blue) 95k 1.3 SOHC 5sp

Just like other people pointed out , ethanol has less energy content per volume then gasoline , so your carb with gasoline jetting will not work . Second problem are the rubber parts in your fuel system. They are not designed for ethanol and will get dissolved by it. You would need to change all the rubber hoses and O-rings to stuff that's designed for ethanol.

Ethanol is corrosive. Like DTM Gti said the rubber parts wont hold up and the steel lines ant tank will need to be changed to stainless steel or higher grade plastic if you intend to run ethanol for long term. Ethanol is corrosive enough its not allowed to be transported by pipeline, tank type transport only.

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"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." - Derek Bok


1990 geo metro 1.0 5 speed 3-door hatchback "herbie"
1990 geo metro 1.0 5 speed convertible "sportie"

okay, so after messing with the mcs in the mk1 carb i think you might be able to run enough e85 to keep the motor happy, but you will have mod the poop out of the carb controls.
and its useless for MPG or cost unless you shave the poop out of the head.
but its a cool idea for performance, e85 is something like 100 octane.

_________________
"muchos tanks, village destruidos"
"muchos sanks, menos submarinos"
"its the dreams that keep you alive"
-vernon wasser-

88 sprint, 4dr sold
87 turbo 2dr, never ran
86 sprint, 2dr current DD!

Without mods on a carb and you run E85 straight, it has a hard time accelerating as it cant get the AFR correctly.

E85 has less energy content, so the fuel jets need to be bumped up about 3 sizes and up the air-bleed jets 2 sizes usually.

Plus the accelerator/enrichen mix has to be bumped up to supply more too.

I experimented on the simplest form of a carb with all kinds of mixtures: 67 VW Bug single Solex carb.

To take advantage of the 110 Octane level which has nothing to do with energy content, you can run a combination of all these: advanced timing, higher compression or higher boost, higher aggressive cams.

In all my cars from the old carb to the new EFI in my 04 GMC Yukon, I run 50/50 with no mods and it helps with passing smog checks at the tailpipe.

1gal E85 then add 1gal GAS.

If your car runs rich and has alot of HC (hydrocarbons) during smog, this will reduce that number by alot, but this is a sign you should check compression too.

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"If it doesnt fit, use a bigger hammer"
"Cheaper, Faster, Better, Pick Any Two"
http://actfast1234.wix.com/itsmycar

- 89 Daihatsu Charade CLX 1.0L MPFI 3cyl 5spd (*SOLD*)
- 01 VW Beetle GLS 1.8L Turbo (*SOLD*)
- 63 Datsun NL320 Sport Truck 4x4 (Converted by Me & Son)
- 04 GMC Yukon (Fam Hauler)
- 92 Suzuki JR50 (Fun Tiny Dirt Bike)
- 84 Dodge B350 Royal High-Top Van (Heavy Item Hauler)
- 92/94 Geo Metro's (Rebuilt & Sold)