Flexible Fuels

[Shannen Durphey]

I think that it would be better to have programming for the
different fuels built in, rather than waiting for the
computer to adapt to the changes.  There are variable fuel
cars out there, 1990 Lumina for one, which have sensors to
determine the percentage of alcohol in the fuel tank.  If I
were running between extremes I think that I'd try using
different eproms with calibrations for different fuels.  

Shannen

Vogt Family wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone, I am the proud owner of a Ford 429 that is going to get
> some serious power added by means of a turbocharger.  I was wondering
> about an EFI system that takes the octane adjustment feature of an ECU
> to its next logical step, differing fuels.  I don't know if it would be
> asking too much of current technology to have the computer be able to
> adapt on its own to different kinds of fuels.  For example, straight
> methanol would require at least twice the injector duration as gasoline,
> and to burn it would probably require one of those fancy linear oxygen
> sensors since alcohol likes to be run a bit on the rich side to keep
> chamber temperatures down since although it is less suceptible to
> detonation due to compression, it is more suceptible to pre-ignition.
> 
> I wonder if it would also be possible to run nitromethane while playing
> around, and then switch back to gasoline for the drive home?
> 
> Also, will injectors put up with water, since both methanol and nitro
> are sometimes mixed with up to 5% water in order to keep things nice and
> cool.
> 
> And, since this motor will be used in a 4wd pickup (please don't tell me
> I'm crazy, I already know that), will individual injectors give a big
> boost in low (sub 1000) RPM torque, or will TBI be good enough.
> 
> And last, are there any computer systems out there that can control
> boost pressure much like timing, to compensate for the knock sensitivity
> of different fuels?
> 
> Thanks for answers to any of these.
> 
> Birken