Alcohol Vs Gas
 

I was just reading in a thread that the fastest boats run alcohol. We know that adding Ethanol to our gas makes it less efficient. Fewer MPG and I assume less power. So why do guys racing burn Alcohol? What do they do to their fuel systems that allows them to store Alcohol.

Alcohol does have less BTU's per unit than gasoline, but it doesnt detonate at high compressions like gasoline. With more compression you get more air/fuel in the combustion chamber, make more power. Plus alcohol and nitromethane require much less oxygen to burn per unit so you can pack much more fuel than air in as well, giving more power yet. Im not an expert so there Im sure there is more to it than that. Running straight alcohol requires a different carb setup since it needs to flow over twice the volume of fuel compared to gasoline, and as far as fuel systems go, if you are playing on that level, having a fuel system only last a couple years isnt the end of the world.

Methanol (wood alcohol) is used for racing, either pure or blended with nitromethane if you really want to get with the program. The alcohol in our gasoline is ethanol (grain alcohol). It (E85) can make more power than pure pump gas for the reasons outlined above, you do have to burn more though.

methonal is also much more tolerant to a rich mixture than gasoline.

It runs way cooler than gasoline...which equals more power. It is highly corrosive....and absorbs water like a sponge. You will not be able to keep it in your tank for long periods of time like gasoline, and your fuel system needs to basically be flushed with gas after using it. It also burns with little or no noticable flame. You wont be able to get it just anywhere (at the docks). As stated above..you need twice the amount as compared to gas...so, lets say you were going on an all day poker run, and figured you were gonna burn roughly 100 gallons of gas...youd need 200 gallons of alcohol on your boat. Not at all worth the trouble unless you have an all out race boat. Its actually a pain in the azz. There are far better ways to make power sir. :drink:

I have tried both, generally speaking, alcohol tastes a lot better.:evilb:

Good point...lol. :drink:

Just woundering if its still possible to get gas with out ethanol in it for boats or is it ok to run corner pump gas in 502s.

double the size of everything lines, jets haha, a friend is running it the new e85 or what ever they call it in a turbo big block 1800 to 2000hp motor for his boat.oh he does not plan on going on long trips just fast runs up and down the bay. I'll stick with gas with a lil additive

Sir, reason i stopped you is because I can smell alcohol coming from your boat..
But officer its the boat drinking it not me, I swear!
:D

I'm pretty sure that 99% of marinas sell gas with no alcohol. Marinas know the bad effects of ethanol in boats.

It varies state to state as tot he fuel you get at the pump. Our fuel here is all labeled if it contains ethanol. Most land stations have 87 non ethanol, 89 E10 and 91 non ethanol. Some have 93 E10.

I know in Missouri, that almost all fuel at the pumps is E10 unless they specifically state that they have non ethanol.

I would avoid ethanol fuel if you have fuel injection. It will cause it to vaporlock much easier. Carbed engines are not as much of a problem.