Running E85 with 11:1 pistons in 289

[Hondo78]

Reading about alcohol burning race engines, and about to rebuild my Hi Po 289 with 11:1 compression ratio.

I need to buy a carb anyway, and hard lines are a given, however can I run 11:1 compression ratio with a mild cam in a 289 and not have knocking issues. Seems like this would be fine with anything over 50 50 Alcohol fuel.

Anyone doing this?

[KAA]

If you're going to run E85, you can go even higher on the compression.

You can get away with 11:1 on pump gas. 50/50 ethanol/gas no problem.

[badmatt]

Hell we just started doing baby tugs last week with my motor 12:1 compression and pump gas.

e-85 will work.

[Hondo78]

Thanks, I had run pop ups in a Ford engine several years ago when we could buy Sunoco 112 in California. I see alcohol race series engines running 180 more Hp per 350 cubes running e85.
Is there any issues with letting the car sit through the winter with e85 or must it be drained and flushed?

Also do you buy the alcohol by the drum delivered? I see you can even buy it on Amazon.com for about $2 /Gal (I might need to replace the 16 gal tank with a 20 gallon)

[MarkM66]

You're going to buy drum'ed fuel for a 11:1 engine? Sounds like a real pain to me.

I'd avoid E85, and just run the highest octane you can get. Retard the timing some if need be.

[NOPANTS68]

Put some 12.5:1 slugs in it if you really want to take advantage of E85s edge over normal pump gas. It's by far the best fuel I have ever used and it was 2.97 a gallon last night!

[KAA]

Originally Posted by Hondo78

I see you can even buy it on Amazon.com for about $2 /Gal

Link??

[gnx7]

In the LS style engines people are running 14:1 with e85. Aluminum heads help with detonation and big cams help too.

e85 for boost is amazing. 106 octane for pump gas prices.