E85?

[Ventilator]

Yesterday, unleaded 87 octane was $1.99, E85 was $2.39.

[Brian S.]

I'll be filling up with E85 tomorrow! Wonder how my lil' V6 will perform with it.

Your V6 will perform exactly like last year's 5.3l V8 with the E85 in the tank. Your horsepower will jump from 285>>297hp, and your torque will jump from 305>>330lbs. (and the 2013 5.3l was 315hp/335hp)

 

Be sure to drive 10 miles after filling up with a different type of gas, Gen V engines adjust timing to take advantage of the higher compression possible with 105 Octane E85.

[butternutican]

Seems to me my 5.3 really likes the corn juice. On my third tank...and I'd buy it even if it was same price as reg gas. The little bit of performance gain is enough for me to pickup the yellow handle! I've also found that it takes longer to start on cold mornings compared to gasoline.

[JCcobaltblueZ71]

I have only went through about 5 tanks of gas on my 14 sierra 5.3 so far. 2 tanks on 87 and 3 on E85. Power gain is noticeable, but I don't know if it is just me, or does the truck seem to shift much better on E85. With regular 87 i seemed to have some random shifts at weird times, but i haven't noticed that at all when running E85. Mileage is definitely a good 3mpg worse with E85, but usually i can find it for about 30 cents less than 87. To me its worth the extra cash in the end for the gained HP, Torque, and shifting performance. Definitely agree on the brutal cold starts though.

[arkenzo]

I just filled up with E85 today, I get up for work at 4AM, at that time it should be around 40F, we'll see how it does in that temperature.

[austingta]

A few extra cranks are not necessarily bad in cold weather. You get the cold oil higher in the engine that way.

 

In the old days, piston wash was an issue with long cranking, but with our modern EFI, I dont think that is an issue.

[KARNUT]

The funky shifts with 87 are probably from adding KR in the mix, I wouldn't run 87 so E85 is the only way to go. Its a high compression engine needs high octane. I got rid of that dang V4 too.

[Northside]

I have only went through about 5 tanks of gas on my 14 sierra 5.3 so far. 2 tanks on 87 and 3 on E85. Power gain is noticeable, but I don't know if it is just me, or does the truck seem to shift much better on E85. With regular 87 i seemed to have some random shifts at weird times, but i haven't noticed that at all when running E85. Mileage is definitely a good 3mpg worse with E85, but usually i can find it for about 30 cents less than 87. To me its worth the extra cash in the end for the gained HP, Torque, and shifting performance. Definitely agree on the brutal cold starts though.

 

I noticed the better shifting and the throttle being more sensitive, rather than having to really step on it with E-10. It seems to me that my truck is programmed to run best all around with E-85 in the tank. I have read posts where guys complain about the trans shifting up too soon. I don't have that problem. Maybe it's the extra torque on E-85. I just know that the truck is nicer to drive now and really scats when I lightly step on the throttle. It's not the fastest thing on the road but it accelerates impressively now. I paid more for my LTZ's options than I could have spent on a more economical model because I like the way the truck is equipped. That was money well spent for my wants and needs. I will gladly sacrifice a couple of miles per gallon for the better throttle response, shifting, and power increase running E-85. It's not about money to me, it's about enjoying the truck! With current gas prices mileage isn't as much of a concern as it was a while back.

[JCcobaltblueZ71]

 

I noticed the better shifting and the throttle being more sensitive, rather than having to really step on it with E-10. It seems to me that my truck is programmed to run best all around with E-85 in the tank. I have read posts where guys complain about the trans shifting up too soon. I don't have that problem. Maybe it's the extra torque on E-85. I just know that the truck is nicer to drive now and really scats when I lightly step on the throttle. It's not the fastest thing on the road but it accelerates impressively now. I paid more for my LTZ's options than I could have spent on a more economical model because I like the way the truck is equipped. That was money well spent for my wants and needs. I will gladly sacrifice a couple of miles per gallon for the better throttle response, shifting, and power increase running E-85. It's not about money to me, it's about enjoying the truck! With current gas prices mileage isn't as much of a concern as it was a while back.

Couldn't agree more. My truck now is an upgrade from a 2006 sierra SLT 5.3 and the difference between this gen 5.3 and the old 5.3 is not even comparable. My old truck was tuned for 93 octain, CAI, and cat back exhaust and my new 2014 5.3 blows the doors off of it being completely stock even without running E85. But yes i am definitely going to stick with E85 from now on. Ill take the performance any day over the small amount of money ill loose due to MPG loss.

[310racing]

I've ran multiple tanks of CJ, I despise the long crank, and wonder about starter life. I like the topend power, and it revs quicker, but my truck actually feels "less" torque'e.

I like corn juice, but I feel 93 actually runs,idles, and creates more torque; my experience only, it does not rev as quick

[austingta]

I don't mind the longer crank (still nothing to worry about) and I'm getting 2 MPG fewer MPG so far...the price is right at the 25% tipping point. I'll deal with slightly longer travel distance to the closest E85 station...

 

[Ventilator]

Filled up yesterday with regular unleaded 87 octane for $1.96/gal, E85 was $2.39. If E85 was the price you are getting it for in TX, I'd consider it.

[POS VETT]

Just wait a bit, around my area, prices on E85 were higher than for 87 for a couple of weeks and then E85 prices took a dive. I bought about 14 gallons last night at $1.71.

[redwngr]

A few extra cranks are not necessarily bad in cold weather. You get the cold oil higher in the engine that way.

 

In the old days, piston wash was an issue with long cranking, but with our modern EFI, I dont think that is an issue.

No wash.

 

It doesn't even inject fuel until it thinks it's ready to start.

[RyanbabZ71]

$1.55 after meijer 20 cent a gallon discount today

 

 

Ryan