Great day at the dyno!

I'll drop this in here because I had to look it up.

I've burned a lot of methanol in my life but never ethanol. As I expected the advice given the to the OP was wrong.

Here is the truth.


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No, E85 burns faster than gasoline, not slower, due to its higher volatility and faster ignition time.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
  • Faster Ignition and Flame Propagation:
    E85 fuel has a faster ignition time and flame propagation compared to gasoline.

  • Higher Cylinder Pressure and Power:
    This faster burning leads to higher cylinder pressure, which can result in increased engine torque and power, potentially gaining up to 20%.

  • Cooler Burning:
    While it burns faster, E85 also burns cooler than gasoline, meaning less heat buildup in the engine.

  • Lower Energy Density:
    Ethanol, the primary component of E85, contains less energy per unit volume than gasoline, which can lead to a decrease in fuel economy.

  • Increased Exhaust Gas Flow:
    The faster burning of E85 can also lead to increased exhaust gas flow, which can allow turbos to spool quicker.
That is way too much timing unless the OP has some iron head.
For reference only, the few turbo big block mopars I’ve crossed paths with made the best power NA (no boost) in the 37-39 degree range with typical 906 heads.

The turbo motorhome 440 they tested on engine masters made best power before boost at 42 degrees on westechs dyno. It had mid 70s smog heads on it and 7:1 compression