Regular vs Premium Gasoline

[Gros Ventre]

Lo-o-ong term numbers: 87 octane: MPG: 21.9 & cents/m: 16.1; 85 octane: MPG: 20.7 & cents/mile: 12.9. Engine runs fine.

Sponsored

 

[Suns_PSD]

E85 isn't supported but blending to up to 20-25% w/ 87 keeps performance up, inexpensively. The truck's computer is quite versatile in always trying to get max performance. It's completely dynamic

I like your idea but what's the numbers on this?

What I mean is, the 87 is already E-10. Isn't the truck limited to a max of E-15?

What's the number of gallons to put in to remain under the allowable ethanol limit AND what's the resultant Octane number?

See I pass by a nearly empty Costco filling station and several E-85 stations 5 days per week.

 

[JRonchetto]

I'm driving my second 3.5EB. The first was a 2016, this one is a 2021. I have tried 87 in both of them with less than acceptable results. On 87, both of them seemed to have "flat spots" when I push the go pedal. The problem completely clears up when I use 93 octane Top Tier fuel. For me, it's worth the extra $.40 per gallon. I will continue to use 93 as long as it is available. Fuel mileage is also better with the 93, but I can't say exactly how much better, but I suspect 1 1/2 to 2 mpg better.

 

[Suns_PSD]

For the OP, I can EASILY feel the difference (when my truck was completely stock) from 87 to 93.

Both were perfectly drivable, but on 87 my truck was actually quite the dog in the entire midrange, just feels really flat.

I'm going off memory here, but I did do that math recently on this, and for the record, I sort of drive like a grandpa most of the time. That might sound disrespectful to grandpas, but it just means people that now have common sense after a few decades of doing stupid sh*t.

Basically, I gained exactly 1 mpg swapping from 87 to 93. That's a 5% increase in mpg.
However, 93 cost me 13% more $ at my local Costco, where I fill up nearly every single time.
So, the way I see it, I experience an 8% increase in fuel costs annually once I account for the extra MPG.

I drive a lot (20K/ year) but as I recall, this worked out to an increased fuel cost annually of about $252.

It's worth adding that now that I'm already running 93 Octane, the additional cost for running the Livernois tune that requires high Octane, is just the cost of the tune itself.

So, what do I gain for my extra $21 in fuel costs per month? Oh well with the Livernois, about 100hp/ 100 tq, and 5% fewer gas stops throughout the year.

I'll tell you that I've modified many vehicles and 100 extra hp usually costs a LOT more money than this. Also, soon I'll be towing monthly, and I won't have to worry about swapping fuel back and forth.

 

[HammaMan]

I like your idea but what's the numbers on this?

What I mean is, the 87 is already E-10. Isn't the truck limited to a max of E-15?

What's the number of gallons to put in to remain under the allowable ethanol limit AND what's the resultant Octane number?

See I pass by a nearly empty Costco filling station and several E-85 stations 5 days per week.

You can watch the truck's timing or OAR with an app. You can see when it's happy and you're able to compare fuels / ratios. I can run anything between 91 and 93e0 mixed w/ e85 up to around 96e20 where hot performance peaks. In the winter the 93e0 is almost enough on its own - I do have a tune though. I can run 22g to 8g e85. If you want to blend in some e85, use an e85 calculator

 

[SeanV313]

For the OP, I can EASILY feel the difference (when my truck was completely stock) from 87 to 93.

Both were perfectly drivable, but on 87 my truck was actually quite the dog in the entire midrange, just feels really flat.

I'm going off memory here, but I did do that math recently on this, and for the record, I sort of drive like a grandpa most of the time. That might sound disrespectful to grandpas, but it just means people that now have common sense after a few decades of doing stupid sh*t.

Basically, I gained exactly 1 mpg swapping from 87 to 93. That's a 5% increase in mpg.
However, 93 cost me 13% more $ at my local Costco, where I fill up nearly every single time.
So, the way I see it, I experience an 8% increase in fuel costs annually once I account for the extra MPG.

I drive a lot (20K/ year) but as I recall, this worked out to an increased fuel cost annually of about $252.

It's worth adding that now that I'm already running 93 Octane, the additional cost for running the Livernois tune that requires high Octane, is just the cost of the tune itself.

So, what do I gain for my extra $21 in fuel costs per month? Oh well with the Livernois, about 100hp/ 100 tq, and 5% fewer gas stops throughout the year.

I'll tell you that I've modified many vehicles and 100 extra hp usually costs a LOT more money than this. Also, soon I'll be towing monthly, and I won't have to worry about swapping fuel back and forth.

How difficult/expensive is the Livernois tune? As in, how easy is it for me, a complete idiot, to do this?

 

[HammaMan]

How difficult/expensive is the Livernois tune? As in, how easy is it for me, a complete idiot, to do this?

Wait for black friday, the tuner should be 399 or 499 w/ eboost tune which I recommend if you do any driving other than highway. Very easy to do.

 

[Suns_PSD]

How difficult/expensive is the Livernois tune? As in, how easy is it for me, a complete idiot, to do this?

It's pretty darn easy. You buy it online and just follow their Utube video. It's a process but ultimately, it's very easy.

 

[Suns_PSD]

You can watch the truck's timing or OAR with an app. You can see when it's happy and you're able to compare fuels / ratios. I can run anything between 91 and 93e0 mixed w/ e85 up to around 96e20 where hot performance peaks. In the winter the 93e0 is almost enough on its own - I do have a tune though. I can run 22g to 8g e85. If you want to blend in some e85, use an e85 calculator

93e0 is quite expensive around here, but you have piqued my interest with something you said here.

Are you saying that my motor will continue to add timing up to an effective 96 Octane and up to 20% ethanol, during the very hot summer months?

I just clicked on a calculator and (I think the PB tank is 30 gallons) that if I buy 25 gallons of 93e10 & then add 5 gallons of E-85, I'd end up with 95 Octane fuel and a ratio of E-23, which might be too much ethanol?

Can you clarify all of this?

Can I go and add my 3-5 gallons of E-85 on a partial tank then go and top off at a different station? Meaning is it okay to drive for 10 minutes on well above E-23?

Better to be conservative and just add 2-3 gallons of E-85 to 7/8 tank to be extra safe?

It's 100+ degrees here every day so I assume that it pulls timing. My darn Corvette would feel 40 hp slower after getting stuck in TX Summer traffic.

Now you've got me rather curious about this... thanks.

 

[TheGoatman]

I run a flexfuel sensor and a tune on my LT1. Cured a lot of laziness.
I wish the 3.5 was flexfuel.

 

[HammaMan]

93e0 is quite expensive around here, but you have piqued my interest with something you said here.

Are you saying that my motor will continue to add timing up to an effective 96 Octane and up to 20% ethanol, during the very hot summer months?

I just clicked on a calculator and (I think the PB tank is 30 gallons) that if I buy 25 gallons of 93e10 & then add 5 gallons of E-85, I'd end up with 95 Octane fuel and a ratio of E-23, which might be too much ethanol?

Can you clarify all of this?

Can I go and add my 3-5 gallons of E-85 on a partial tank then go and top off at a different station? Meaning is it okay to drive for 10 minutes on well above E-23?

Better to be conservative and just add 2-3 gallons of E-85 to 7/8 tank to be extra safe?

It's 100+ degrees here every day so I assume that it pulls timing. My darn Corvette would feel 40 hp slower after getting stuck in TX Summer traffic.

Now you've got me rather curious about this... thanks.

Depends on what you're seeing with the truck. I go with 93e0 first and then add in the appropriate ethanol. E85 content varies but I've tested it 2 months apart and it was 68-74%. The desired e85 doesn't always fit but it's goodnuff

 

[HammaMan]

I run a flexfuel sensor and a tune on my LT1. Cured a lot of laziness.
I wish the 3.5 was flexfuel.

Yeah, being able to read the fuel live would help, the PCM isn't very aggressive.

Ethanol calculator
https://www.morepowertuning.com/emix

 

[Musky fisher]

Just a note that Sam’s club gas is NOT top tier gas. I assumed it would be like Costco which is, but it isn’t

 

[Captain Dirty Beard]

Or, if you intend on blending Ethanol frequently, install one of these. I have this on my Mustang, works great

https://fuel-it.com/products/fuel-it-flex-fuel-kit-for-ford-f-150-3-5l-ecoboost-raptor

 

[TheGoatman]

Yeah, being able to read the fuel live would help, the PCM isn't very aggressive.

Ethanol calculator
https://www.morepowertuning.com/emix

Yeah mostly so I can mindlessly fill a blend or straight e85. It would be nice if it had the fueling.
I don’t see how it could’ve been that much more expensive for them to have beefed up port fuel injection system to cover up to typical Boltons on full E. The hard part is done, it’s all there, just had up the flow on the injectors and pumps, throw in a FF sensor or enable the virtual.

Sponsored