[s-cars] You think Octane is the Problem?

[Charlie Smith]

So you think Octane is the big problem?  Not everywhere ...

I received an email from someone in Zimbabwe who has seen
my webpage on toluene.  Although the web page talks mostly about
using a toluene mixture for improved octane, it also mentions
ethanol in fuels.

With the state of things in Zimbabwe, he says gasoline and diesel
are altogether unavailable.  He has been running 100% ethanol in
his Mazda B1600 truck, and he says "performance is non existent 
until it warms up and boy it can drink the ethanol".  His question
was on the benefit of a toluene / ethanol mixture.

I told him that the problem with ethanol isn't a lack of octane, 
I think it's a low BTU / gallon problem.  Ethanol has less energy 
per gallon than gasoline.  And gasoline has somewhat less than 
toluene (I think).

My question here, is about the high ethanol consumption.  I'm
guessing that the ideal mixture for ethanol isn't quite the
same as for straight gasoline.  

Does anyone know enough about this stuff to suggest a way to
improve consumption?  

    - Charlie


  Charlie Smith          charlie {at} elektro.cmhnet.org 
  http://www.elektro.com/~charlie    Columbus Ohio   USA
  http://www.elektro.com/~audi   photos & technical info

  95 S6 Quattro  -  24 PSI, RS2 6 speed, and other features  
  97 Dodge Ram   -  40 PSI, 4x4 w/Cummins turbo diesel