Summary of Tuning Our Car on E10 to BEAT FUEL PRICES $$$
The video documents an experimental car tuning session focused on using cheaper E10 fuel to combat rising fuel prices, featuring a Subaru WRX tuned by Kai at Night Family Motorsport (formerly Andrews High Tech). Key points and tips from the video include:
Tuning and Fuel Experimentation
- The car was originally tuned for premium 98 octane fuel.
- The team tested switching to E10 (91 octane + 10% ethanol) to see if power could be maintained or improved despite lower octane.
- They planned to test E85 but the stock fuel injectors lacked capacity for it.
- The ECU software was updated from ESP to NSP for better tuning flexibility.
- Knock correction data from 20,000 km of driving was used to optimize timing and fuel maps.
- Cam timing was evaluated for fuel efficiency but the factory calibration was already near optimal.
- The Heltec ECU’s flex fuel sensor and calibrated fuel model allowed real-time adjustments based on ethanol content and temperature.
Results and Insights
- Surprisingly, the car made more power on E10 than on 98 octane, even with a small amount of knock correction timing pulled out.
- Ethanol’s properties (oxygenation and cooling effect) help suppress knock and improve combustion efficiency.
- Power increased from about 206-207 hp on 98 octane (with airbox removed) to 215 hp on E10 (with airbox connected).
- Torque also improved, especially in the low to mid-range, making the car more enjoyable to drive.
- Leaning out the fuel mixture (running lean) did not improve fuel economy; instead, it reduced torque and worsened brake specific fuel consumption.
- The tuning approach is vehicle-specific and should be done carefully on a dyno to avoid engine damage.
Practical Takeaways
- Switching to E10 can be a cost-effective way to save money on fuel (about 20 cents per liter cheaper in Australia), potentially saving significant money without sacrificing power.
- Proper tuning is essential to safely use lower octane fuels like E10 in engines tuned for higher octane.
- Upgrading exhaust systems can reduce knock and improve power on these engines.
- Flex fuel sensors and advanced ECUs can help optimize performance across different ethanol blends.
Notable Mentions
- Kai from Night Family Motorsport (formerly Andrews High Tech) is the tuner.
- The car is a Subaru WRX with a Gussie H6 Liberty owner preparing to get licensed.
- Heltec ECU software and flex fuel sensor technology played a key role.
- The video emphasizes careful dyno tuning for safe fuel switching.
Summary: The video showcases how a Subaru WRX can be tuned to run efficiently and even gain power on cheaper E10 fuel, challenging the assumption that higher octane is always better. With expert tuning, ethanol blends can improve combustion, reduce knock, and save money at the pump, offering a practical solution amid rising fuel costs.
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Lifestyle