I think we are settled on giving pump E85 a shot in S/C and S/P racing with our dragster. I like the lower engine temps from E85 in case we end up hot lapping at bracket events. We have a QFT 1295 carb that I will convert using their kit. We havent built the motor yet so CR is still up in the air but looking at 14.5 to 1 with aluminum heads.

So...E85 guys...let's hear it.

Thanks to all whom take the time to respond.

Why not go straight to alcohol. Most guys that make the switch in drag cars end up doing it so it would save you a few bucks.

Alky isnt cheap out here in Kommiefornia.... 45.00 for a 5 gal pail. I can get E85 for 1.97 a gallon....big difference. Calif is horrible on race fuel of any kind.

Don't chicken out on compression.

Wow I pay around 130.00 for 54 gallons

VP 110 is 75.00 a pail here...

buy a tester and always test what is coming out of the pump.here in Oklahoma it varied quite a bit,but we were just getting places that had it 3 years ago.I think I would get a 55 gallon drum and fill it when you find good E 85.when I say varied I mean 55 to 90 !!

That's what I'm going to do. I have a clean 250 gallon sealed tote ....so If I go to the station and fill the tote then vacuum out the air it should stay fairly fresh and consistent.I'll buy some E98 if I can find some to bring it up to true E85.

I have had no problems here in SoCal with stations that sell Pearson fuels e85, good to check it though.

My biggest suggestion would be when you start it up warm it up, get the moisture out.

If it is going to set a while drain the bowls and pump the acc. pumps into a rag. Also the pink Mp-15 carb gaskets (superformance) are good because they come off nice for carb maintenance.

Good to know. We are sponsored by Lucas I'm working with them on a fuel conditioner additive to combat draining between racing weekends.
I can get Pearson and Propel in Fresno....
Thanks

Yea if you don't have time to get it warm up to temp. Don't start it !

I would HIGHLY suggest you do not convert your carb with a kit. Those kits are one size fits all, and the likelihood of it being for your motor is extremely unlikely. Go to a dedicated E85 carb builder/converter, give them your specs, and you will have someone who can troubleshoot for you if a problem arises. I have a 1050 Dominator from Eric @ Horsepower Innovations, and it's fantastic. He's actually building me a 1000 Ultra HP right now as well.

My car doesn't run that* much cooler than on 110, but I hot lap the hell out of my car and I never have issues with heat. I like to run mine a little fatter, as I've found that the car runs tighter ET spreads.

As said above, don't start your car without getting it hot...As in the oil hot, not just the water. Unlikely to occur just by idling in the garage, so I always avoid moving it unless it's headed to the track. I don't drain my bowls hardly ever, even after three weeks, and have never had white chalk or gelling or issues. I use standard Holley blue bowl gaskets without issue.

I love it, I'll never run race fuel again.

We have been running E85 for the last two years in our dragster. I bought a QF E85 dominator and it has been a lot of trial and error to make it work, but for now it seems to run ok with our low compression 440. We actually ran out of supplies for pump E85 here and switched to Vp and then Torco E85. Cost is about double the pump stuff. BUt the car did pick up with those fuels over pump swill, like a lot. .1-.15 over pump stuff. My understanding is the pump stuff does not get the best grade of gasoline to begin with whereas the stuff from Torco or VP gets a better gasoline base fuel. All I know is it flat out runs faster. The other suggestions here are valid. When we ran straight pump E85 starting the car when the ambiet was cold was an issue. At the Turkey race we ended up using straight pump gas to start in the am, on the Torco or Vp that is not an issue. Definitely don't start it unless you can get the oil warm. We also never drain the fuel and since switching away from pump have never had an issue. We did have it gum up once when it was on pump swill after sitting for an extended period.

It's all I've ran for the last 5 years. I've heard mixed reviews on the conversion kits. You may be money ahead and save yourself some headaches by selling your current carb and giving a true e85 carb guy a call. My current carb is a 1050 Dominator (venturi mod to flow 1150) from Eric at Horsepower Innovations. Awesome guy and great customer service. The pump stuff here in Nebraska varies from 70-85 depending on the time of year. I use Lucas ethanol additive and I haven't noticed any problems. Some winters I've pulled the carb, cleaned it, and stored it in the house. Other winters, like this year, I have just started the car about once a month and let it get up to temp. I love the fuel, but I also street drive mine a fair amount. You can't beat $1.50-$1.75 "race" gas.

e85 is great, I would recommend getting a afr gauge, makes tuning way easy,if you are going over 13-1 compression then you could consider e98 as an option too, you don't have to worry about gas mixtures or what kind of gas they mixed with, plus the higher octane is a plus. and like other people said I wouldn't go with a conversion kit, send the carb off to some one reputable, classic motorsports in sauk centre MN did ours and they work great, he puts them on a dyno motor to get them pretty close on the tune and make sure they work on first fire up, they take a little fine tuning to get perfect that's where the afr gauge comes in handy,

What would be the octane equivalent to E85 and to E98??

I think you can be successful with a conversion.... but at the cost of a trip to the racetrack these days.. I think either purchasing a carburetor or having it converted is the way to go.. I have had dealings with Mark sullens and pro systems and both have been very good... they both have completely different ideas which both returned great results.. I think five or six outings to the track. Figuring out the carburetor... You will have spent more money and more wear and tear then it's worth

We already have a QFT carb. So the conversion we are looking at is this one....its supposedly very tunable. QFT did a decent job of getting us base lined with our carb when I bought it. I'll contact some of the names posted on here and talk to them.
Here's QFT change over kit for their carbs https://www.quickfueltechnology.com/carb...r-m4500-hp.html

So are the boosters for a 400ci or a 540? How about the IAC and other orifices? For $340 you can have it custom converted for your cam, for your cubes, for your heads, instead of a one size fits all kit. Just because QF can make it run, doesn't mean it's right. I'd hate to see someone buy a garbage conversion kit and have issues only to write off corn completely.

Who does this work for $340?(I see the kit price and assume by the response you are referring to having someone do the work for that $$) If they are out there I am unaware of them. Last I checked Sullens and HP Innovations were both $600 or more. Just curious..