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...back to the original statement, and the facts:
.A/F -- gasoline (14.7:1), ethanol (9.0:1).......ie: 0.39 = (1 - 9.0/14.7)
BTU -- gasoline (116,090), ethanol (76,330)...ie: 0.66 = 76,330/116,090
...so, UNLESS the engine is specially modified (ie: flex fuel, wide-range-sensors or variable CR), switching from gasoline to ethanol takes a BIG hit twice:
1) in stoichiometic A/F ratio, which means almost 39% more FUEL by weight for same CID.
2) in energy content, which means amost 33% less ENERGY in the combustion process for the same CID.
...granted, things improve as the engine progresses from today's "standard" toward tomorrow's "what's possible," but NOT many of today's engines are so endowed!
Last edited by gone-ot; 12-31-2009 at 07:14 PM..
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