I like it for my car. Converting it is not too bad, depending on what you have to begin with.
- You need a fuel pump that can handle ~30% more fuel (I used a Holley black pump)
- Get rid of any paper fuel filter (I switched to a 40 micron steel mesh)
- Possibly larger fuel line depending on your setup (mine is 1/2 inch from cell to carb)
- Convert the carb or buy an e85 carb (I got a kit from Rob Mix (ebay) and converted it myself).
That is all you "need", but I also would suggest getting a wideband and installing it in the exhaust to help you tune it (I got one through Summit for ~ $150 for the gauge and O2 sensor). e85 burns so clean that it is very difficult to read the plugs.
Reasons for doing it.
- My car runs much cooler, so it is easier to hot lap at the track.
- Car is more consistent at the track.
- If I recall correctly, it was a little more than 2 tenths quicker when I switched.
- Much cheaper than race gas.
Reasons for not:
- Harder to cold start if the temp is <45°F (I don't care because my car only goes out on nice days).
- Takes a little more maintenance (draining the fuel system in the winter for example).
- If you don't drive the car at least once a month it may get fussy (mine likes to have the little bullet shaped thingy under the squirters get stuck if it sits too long, but no biggie).
- If you drive far away from home it might be harder to find e85...but around my house it is plentiful.