05-09-2008, 03:57 PM
|
#1
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 104
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 104
|
Flex fuel conversion possible?
I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried to do a flex fuel conversion on a Toyota 4 Runner.
Is it possible? How much would it cost?
Thoughts.......?
|
|
 Reply With Quote
|
|
05-09-2008, 04:07 PM
|
#2
|
 |
Super Moderator
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Metro ATL & Cape Coral, FL
Age: 59
Posts: 6,276
|
|
|
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Metro ATL & Cape Coral, FL
Age: 59
Posts: 6,276
|
Re: Flex fuel conversion possible?
Quote:
Originally posted by Mtneer001
I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried to do a flex fuel conversion on a Toyota 4 Runner.
Is it possible? How much would it cost?
Thoughts.......?
|
[I][FONT=arial][COLOR=orangered]Not really, an answer but I had a Nissan Titan at the time when it sounded like E85 would be everywhere. It was easy to figure out on that as there were some Flex-fuel Titans sold. On the Titan the only difference was a few stickers and the alloy on the fuel injectors. I would speculate that a 4th gen T4R would similar.
If you can read Portuguese the Brazilians have Flex-fuel all over the place and by comparing part#
__________________
Chris
07 Salsa SR5, 4wd Cyclone pre-cleaner , Aux Transmission Cooler, Hidden Hitch 70779 (600/6000lbs, WDH=730/7300lbs), AirLift 1000, FJCruiser front springs (& now rear too!), Axle Vent Mod, Swaybar Bushing Upgrade, V6 Tick Reduction, VSC off mod, Maplight Mod, 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler SAs, Tailpipe Mod
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-10-2008, 01:18 PM
|
#3
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 1,110
|
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 1,110
|
Flex Fuel
I suppose it is possible to do a Flex-Fuel conversion......but is it feasible? Using E85, which is less expensive than unleaded gasoline, may seem like the prudent thing to do; but bear in mind that E85 (85% ethanol - 15% gasoline) has less "energy" per gallon & fewer BTUs than gasoline alone.
If it costs 20 percent less, but gives 30 percent fewer miles per gallon, do you really save anything in the long run? Probably not.
Still, though, I am happy to see that there are more E85 stations popping up. Ethanol is not the solution to our energy woes, but certainly is part of the equation.
:awais:
P.S. GM and Ford both have "Flex Fuel" vehicles available now. Well, okay, I know that few people here would ever buy anything from Detroit; but maybe someone else might.
__________________
-- Former 2005 4Runner Driver --
Vehicles: 2002 Nissan Sentra & 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-11-2008, 07:20 AM
|
#4
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Posts: 359
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Posts: 359
|
I have converted my Honda over to E85 only for the 105 octane benefits and the lower egt's with alc. Almost 200 degrees cooler I had to get way bigger injectors and then some engine management to control it. It does use about 30% more fuel than regular gasoline though. I want to do this to the runner, but the engine management is what is stopping me. Must be obd2 compliant, and you just can't find a tuneable obd2 ecus for the runners.
__________________
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 - The hauler.
2003 SR5 4X4 4Runner - 412K+ Off-road Toy.
1997 Civic SFWD 674hp 530tq - Because racecar.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-11-2008, 08:49 AM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 1,110
|
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 1,110
|
Well, best of luck to you! Such a conversion doesn't seem like it is worth the hassle, but I am not one to 'dis' anyone for being innovative or coming up with an alternative to the status quo.
Have a great day!
:awais:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"When all is said and done, a lot more is said than done!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
__________________
-- Former 2005 4Runner Driver --
Vehicles: 2002 Nissan Sentra & 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-11-2008, 08:54 AM
|
#6
|
 |
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Eastern USA
Posts: 18,771
|
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Eastern USA
Posts: 18,771
|
I have heard that Flex Fuel (E85) does not really save any gas in the grand scheme of things. In the end, it may costs us more or something like that...i am sure smarter people can give better reasons.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-11-2008, 06:46 PM
|
#7
|
 |
Super Moderator
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 7,332
|
|
|
Super Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 7,332
|
 not only is does ethanol have less energy than gasoline, IIRC, GMT900 with Flex Fuel engines cost more. Which brings back the question, like hybrids, how long will it take to break even compared a traditional gasoline version of the same car. But if more of us can be less dependent on fossil fuels, the price will eventually drop.
__________________
'06 Limited V6
Amy's Mom: "Who's that you're talking to?"
Amy: "It's Uneek, spelled in a 'unique' way."
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-13-2008, 09:11 AM
|
#8
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 131
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 131
|
Flex Fuel vs 10% ethanol
I am curious on this. More and more stations around here will have stickers on their pumps, "this fuel contains up to 10% ethanol). I try to avoid these as this type of fuel does impact overall gas mileage.
How much ethanol is in E85? 85% or 15%.
I also wonder if using just 10% ethanol is harmful to an engine like the V6 Toyota which is not designed to use it.
Thanks
Paul C
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-13-2008, 06:16 PM
|
#9
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2003
Location: North Coast
Posts: 452
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: North Coast
Posts: 452
|
Re: Flex Fuel vs 10% ethanol
Quote:
|
How much ethanol is in E85? 85% or 15%.
|
85%
Quote:
|
I also wonder if using just 10% ethanol is harmful to an engine like the V6 Toyota which is not designed to use it.
|
It is designed to run 10% ethanol.
Last edited by JungleJim; 05-13-2008 at 06:22 PM.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-13-2008, 06:40 PM
|
#10
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: ak
Posts: 146
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: ak
Posts: 146
|
Engines designed to run ethanol only actually can get really good fuel economy. E85 has a high octane so the compression can go way up, increasing economy. But unfortunately, then you can't use gas.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-13-2008, 08:50 PM
|
#11
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 710
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 710
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Thai
I have heard that Flex Fuel (E85) does not really save any gas in the grand scheme of things. In the end, it may costs us more or something like that...i am sure smarter people can give better reasons.
|
My understanding is that the only thing that E85 does is raise the price of food...
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-13-2008, 09:09 PM
|
#12
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 1,110
|
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 1,110
|
E85 indicates 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Likewise, M85 refers to 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline.
Every gas station I've seen here in VA has a 10% ethanol blend (E10) to satisfy our oxygenated fuel requirements as per the EPA.
Any car on the road should run fine on "gasohol" blends of up to 10 percent alcohol and 90 percent gasoline. I don't even know of any stations anywhere that still have "real" gasoline.
__________________
-- Former 2005 4Runner Driver --
Vehicles: 2002 Nissan Sentra & 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
05-13-2008, 09:19 PM
|
#13
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 710
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 710
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff Kleb
E85 indicates 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Likewise, M85 refers to 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline.
Every gas station I've seen here in VA has a 10% ethanol blend (E10) to satisfy our oxygenated fuel requirements as per the EPA.
Any car on the road should run fine on "gasohol" blends of up to 10 percent alcohol and 90 percent gasoline. I don't even know of any stations anywhere that still have "real" gasoline.
|
Roger.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
