Full E85 map switch tip/recommendation

[TakeOne]

Happy Halloween fellow M enthusiasts!
Just wanted to share a quick little tip/recommendation for those who have a FULL E85 map, or may be interested in going that route.
PLEASE, by all means, listen to your tuners choice of instructions. But, when it comes time to switch maps, I recommend flip/flopping this sequence.

- Run current 93/91 octane down as low as possible. Preferably to when the dash indicates - - miles left.
- Pump in E85 (hopefully you've pre measured recently to verify quality content)
- Flash to your tuners e85 map

NOW WHAT I PREFER TO DO:
- Run current 93/91 octane down as low as possible. Preferably to when the dash indicates - - miles left. Be right next to desired pump.
- FLASH FULL E85 map FIRST. DONT start the car yet. There have been unfortunate instances in the past when bootmod3 servers have been down or there hasn't been reliable cell service. If you would have already pumped in a full tank, and the flash didn't take successfully, now you're stuck at a pump with a full tank of E85 and no map for it!
- Now pump it the Full e85 (in the event your e85 flash kept failing or just didn't download correctly, at least you have the opportunity to put in regular 91/93 again since you're right at the pump)

Take care guys!

[mike@x-ph.com]

[TopJimmy]

Great points buddy. I had a big scare one time where I didn't have cell service at the one E station out in the sticks.

My steps to switch to E:
Pull to pumps, don't pump yet.
Connect to BM3.
Download the custom map and E30 map.
Go offline mode in BM3.
Turn off WiFi / Bluetooth (on phones).
Pump only 5 gallons of E85.
Start car and wait for E to make it up the fuel system (engine sound change).
Flash the downloaded E85 map & Start.
If E85 is crap and car runs bad you can pump 10gal of gas and load the E30 map.
If she purrs top off with E and drive away in Sport+.

*** Bonus: there is almost no waiting for fuel circulation when switching from Pump-to-E30 and then from E30-to-E85...or backwards.

[jpy1980]

Great tips, but this is why I am a big proponent of flex fuel setups. It’s worth the cost due to headaches like this. Now that you guys are loving E85, are you guys considering the switch when FF is available?

[TakeOne]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Great tips, but this is why I am a big proponent of flex fuel setups. It’s worth the cost due to headaches like this. Now that you guys are loving E85, are you guys considering the switch when FF is available?

Hells yeah man! I'm all for advancement in tech for the F8x platform. That being said, really won't pertain to me as much. As stated, this isn't my daily driver map, and is intended just for when going to the track. If it doesn't measure 100% E85, I'm not gonna bother putting it in.

[S55freak]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Great tips, but this is why I am a big proponent of flex fuel setups. It’s worth the cost due to headaches like this. Now that you guys are loving E85, are you guys considering the switch when FF is available?

Flex fuel is coming..? How do you know?

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by S55freak

Flex fuel is coming..? How do you know?

I know ecutek has FF capabilities and that bm3 is working on it.

[TopJimmy]

Even though BM3 will soon support (somehow) a flex sensor for custom tunes I will not use it. My custom PJT E80 map is for race only, otherwise I run the OTS Stg2 E30 or 93.

S55freak I sent a PM to Dzenan on Oct-11 and got a reply that they have it in the works. No release date disclosed yet.

[Commanderwiggin]

Been loving the flexfuel in my M2C for over a year now...I fill up with 91 or E85 without a second thought.

[MisterF80M3]

Is there a reason you guys like flexfuel vs full e85?

I'm currently on E30 BM3 tune and it is just annoying having to pump from 2 different pumps. I prefer to just go full e85 and not have to deal with that.

[Detoxified]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Is there a reason you guys like flexfuel vs full e85?

I'm currently on E30 BM3 tune and it is just annoying having to pump from 2 different pumps. I prefer to just go full e85 and not have to deal with that.

I think you are misunderstanding the benefit of flex fuel. Of course most of us want the whole benefit of running full E85 but the ethanol content can vary pump to pump. By running a flex fuel map you eliminate the concern of varying ethanol levels per tank. The map will adjust as needed based on you ethanol content.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by Detoxified

I think you are misunderstanding the benefit of flex fuel. Of course most of us want the whole benefit of running full E85 but the ethanol content can vary pump to pump. By running a flex fuel map you eliminate the concern of varying ethanol levels per tank. The map will adjust as needed based on you ethanol content.

Is ethanol content that inconsistent? I only get ethanol at Pearsons and they are always 85%. I believe even the CEO guarantees their ethanol to be above 83%. Anything below 83% will be taxed as regular gasoline and will have a sign indicating that.

[theweebabySeamus]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Is ethanol content that inconsistent? I only get ethanol at Pearsons and they are always 85%. I believe even the CEO guarantees their ethanol to be above 83%. Anything below 83% will be taxed as regular gasoline and will have a sign indicating that.

Or if somebody else drives your car on ocassion and you cant trust them to pump e85.

[xKeii]

Ive been considering full e85 as well but was also interested in ff tune since I learned about it recently. Would ff tune cost more than any other custom tune?

[StockF82M4]

Originally Posted by Commanderwiggin

Been loving the flexfuel in my M2C for over a year now...I fill up with 91 or E85 without a second thought.

I was recently doing some research regarding putting E85 in my M4, and was wondering if you need to do anything to the car, or if it will just run like normal if you use it. I came across an upgrade by "Fuel It" and was wondering if this was absolutely necessary, or if there was anything internally that you had to do to the car to run E85 on it. Also, are thee any downsides to using Flex Fuel, besides it being so expensive, like internally?

A link is attached below to the upgrade for you guys to check it out. Let me know, thanks!

https://www.kiesmotorsports.com/prod...31872160202837

[mdma-zn]

Originally Posted by StockF82M4

I was recently doing some research regarding putting E85 in my M4, and was wondering if you need to do anything to the car, or if it will just run like normal if you use it. I came across an upgrade by "Fuel It" and was wondering if this was absolutely necessary, or if there was anything internally that you had to do to the car to run E85 on it. Also, are thee any downsides to using Flex Fuel, besides it being so expensive, like internally?

A link is attached below to the upgrade for you guys to check it out. Let me know, thanks!

https://www.kiesmotorsports.com/prod...31872160202837

With stock turbos you can run E85 and a E85 tune with no other changes

[mdma-zn]

If I am on pump and want to change to E85, I usually run E40-E50 on the stock map or the OTS Bm3 M4CS map.
On my car and with OEM maps I have run up to E60 with my STFT's still looking OK
By running E40/50 before switching to E85, I find that there is no need to run my tank down to ------ (makes me cringe + stores error in dme).
I can simply full E85 up near reserve tank and be good to go.

[HyeM3]

Originally Posted by xKeii

Ive been considering full e85 as well but was also interested in ff tune since I learned about it recently. Would ff tune cost more than any other custom tune?

The tune itself would definitely cost more. For a regular E85 tune you get sent a base map and then after a few revisions you're all set. With flex fuel I'm sure the tuning is much more complicated to get you dialed in since the car has to run perfect at all ethanol levels and on pump gas. The hardware alone to support flex fuel is $500 from fuel-it and let's say hypothetically a tune is $1000 (could easily be more) you could easily be all in for $2K+ depending on labor costs in your area. You can get an E85 tune from one of the big tuners for around $650 so you just have to weigh the pros and cons and see if it's worth it for you

[Commanderwiggin]

@StockF82M4
The only true flex fuel platform is Ecutek and that is the proper way to run ethanol at varied contents...no need to switch between different maps or flash at the gas station. Bend Calibration offers an awesome, guided process for this. They also have plug and play flex sensor and fuel filter options. You absolutely do not need anything in that Fuel-it stage 4 kit and would advise against it.

ian@bendcalibration.com is the contact if you want to ask some questions.

[StockF82M4]

Originally Posted by mdma-zn

With stock turbos you can run E85 and a E85 tune with no other changes

What if I upgrade to Pure turbos? And is an E85 tune absolutely necessary? Because I was planning on getting a stage 2 tune from pro tuning freaks, opposed to an E85 tune.

[TakeOne]

Originally Posted by StockF82M4

What if I upgrade to Pure turbos? And is an E85 tune absolutely necessary? Because I was planning on getting a stage 2 tune from pro tuning freaks, opposed to an E85 tune.

No not necessary. I have 3 tunes for my Pures. 93 only, 93+meth, E85+meth. From what I hear, you kinda max out between e30-e50 without some type of fueling supplement (meth/pi)

[HyeM3]

Originally Posted by StockF82M4

I was recently doing some research regarding putting E85 in my M4, and was wondering if you need to do anything to the car, or if it will just run like normal if you use it. I came across an upgrade by "Fuel It" and was wondering if this was absolutely necessary, or if there was anything internally that you had to do to the car to run E85 on it. Also, are thee any downsides to using Flex Fuel, besides it being so expensive, like internally?

I'm not sure if you were already aware but in Arizona you can't get actual E85 anywhere. The state passed a bill a few years ago banning sales of E85 and said the highest ethanol content that can be sold is E54. So even if you upgrade turbos you probably won't be able to utilize any additional fueling like PI or meth