[RideZX6R]

I'm wondering if you can add in the Flex fuel sensor to the 3.6L trucks like you can with C7 corvettes (and then you just recalibrate the ECU for it), if it does work the same way as the C7... it'd be a nice bump in power since the motor is DI

 

[RideZX6R]

You can run E85 in ANY modern vehicle... As many others have said, the fuel lines and components all can handle it. A tune will properly take advantage of it...

However without the sensor, there are some inherent risks...

Since E85 quality can range from actually being E65-E90 - Your engine is only as safe as the tune your tuner gives you. If you have a particularly good blend of fuel when you're being tuned, and your tuner likes to be aggressive... The lack of Flex Fuel/Fuel Composition sensor (and ECU/software to utilize it) can cause engine damage if

So the reason you use a sensor is not so you can tune on E85, but it's more because you can run any E85 blend from any pump and if the motor pings your ECU will compensate properly because it will have the information of how much octane is actually in the fuel you're currently using.

 

[RideZX6R]

Take a look at what Savagebob posted earlier. The sensor isn't required on many later OS's. I can attest to the fact that this does work very well without the sensor on many PCM's. (Caveat that I haven't yet tuned a Colorado or Canyon)
Any modern stock tune will pull timing if it senses knock, E85 sensor or not. Even the ancient 12200411 (4th Gen Camaro) PCM has high and low octane tables. It'll try high octane, with enough ping it will drop to the low.

Last I looked the sensors were well into the triple digit prices, but have likely decreased in price since then. Regardless of price, I'm glad they found an empirical method of determining ethanol content without it.

I did read.

I'm explaining that while it isn't *required* - it's definitely recommended. And the sensor is about $250 - Much cheaper than a motor after a tuner goes too aggressive with your tune

 

[RideZX6R]

So what are you going to do with the e-sensor output if the engine management system (supplied by OEM GM) doesn't have any software/hardware to accept and process the data? Your statement makes sense only for aftermarket engine management systems unless you can point us to an add on module or something similar. :surprise:

The modern vehicles do indeed have a "virtual sensor" as I have posted previously so no hardware sensor is needed or desired.

ECU can process the data, HPTuners is likely working on (or already has) made a way for tuners to utilize those tables.

Check out threads on Corvetteforum for the way they've done it with the 6.2L DI V8 in the Stingray, I'd be willing to bet the ECU in the truck isn't much different given that both are DI engines and GM likes to keep costs low.

 

[RideZX6R]

Who wants to deal with the lower miles per tank of E85 anyway?

People who want to take advantage of the higher compression of this engine to make more power.

 

[RideZX6R]

You have gone off the deep end. If it made more power, it would use less fuel because it would be more efficient. E85 is higher in Octane, but that does not equate to power. There is much more "power" (BTUs) in gasoline than ethanol. People have gone "nuts" with the higher compression/advanced timing issue in our engines regarding ethanol. Why the do you think there are those admitting you get much poorer MPG with E85. That's because it does not produce the "power" some in this thread are touting as the reason for using. If it was more efficient, our engine would not have to burn more, necessitating larger injectors and higher pressure fuel pumps. This is asinine. We don't have an engine with the timing and compression ratios that will blow the heads off like an alcohol dragster. Get real guys. E85 is one of the worse things to happen to modern vehicles as far as power per volume and MPGs. The BTU content isn't there and that's what gives US our power and MPGs. Not Octane! You can run E10, (using a 104 octane additive) and not gain a thing. Now, Pure Gas, no ethanol, you will see an improvement with just 87 octane.

I'll just leave these here regarding power on E85 vs 93...

E85 vs 93 bone stock runs - Corvette Forum

My E85 experience - BASE LS3 MNL - Corvette Forum

Please tell me more about how octane doesn't matter with higher compression motors.

 

[RideZX6R]

You should read my post more closely. I never said octane doesn't matter in higher compression engines. In fact, just the opposite. Octane prevents pre-detonation and the higher the octane, the higher the compression that may be utilized along with more advanced timing, That's all. This combination will produce more horsepower. BUT, It has nothing to do with the power, i.e., BTU output, of the fuel. And we have been discussing the fuels. It's a fact and that's my point. Ask the Corvette owner how much more E85 fuel he burned to achieve the better numbers vs the 93 E10 for the same run,
We are driving trucks with an engine that bears no resemblance to the new Corvettes. If you want to tout the benefits of E85 for us, I suggest you spend the time, money, and effort to try and make our V6 perform relatively similar on E85 . You can try and reengineer one for yours if you want. $$$$ Better yet, go spend 80K on a Corvette and stop trying to convince Collie owners we have a potential Corvette like engine in our trucks. We don't. End of discussion.

First off, I was discussing the fuel for it's POWER Potential, clearly you missed that... So it went off topic and I came along with you for the ride because I couldn't figure out what point you were trying to make.

Thanks for suggesting it but, I actually did buy a Z06, my Colo is my DD. It'll be my 5th Corvette, 3rd running E85