Looking into EMS for a high compression 13:1 B18C1 running e-85.

Saw the S300 allows the use of an ethanol sensor to deal with changes in ethanol content. I think this is a great way to skirt around testing what is coming out of the pump every time I fill up. I'd rather only test the fuel when I'm planning on pushing the car, track days and autocross.

Is there anyone using this feature, that can comment about how well it works, or doesn't work?

 

Personally I'm not a fan of E85 at all. Partially because I live in a cold climate and startup sucks. But it's not very consistent either. I prefer methanol or meth injection.

IMO it's not worth running E85 without a flex fuel sensor. The variations in ethanol and octane between stations and seasons can be devastating.

It works incredibly well if it's tuned correctly. You can't just put it on and expect it to run right. But you also can't just put it on; it sends a frequency instead of a voltage, which only has native support on S300 v3 and some standalone EMS.
Otherwise, if you convert it to voltage (kits with the conversion module are around $200) you can use any Neptune, Hondata, even Crome and just set up a custom voltage table.

For your application I would consider this a must-have.

 

** the only concerning factor about ethanol sensors, is that they're not actually measuring ethanol content - they're measuring gasoline.

One gallon of normal gasoline will read E10, but if you add one gallon of water, it will read E60 - because the gasoline content is now 40% of the overall mixture.
It also doesn't measure the octane of the fuel used.

The reason this doesn't concern me is there's usually always a negligible amount of water content in your mixture, but the vapor acts as a knock deterrent, so the only downside is less combustion.

There is no sensor that measures ethanol content, because alcohol has to be chemically isolated.

 

That is interesting to read. Will look more into it all.

Found that I want a more reliable ECU, and I'll be using an AEM unit that can deal with blended fuels more seamlessly.

I've had friends run E-85 before being able to use a sensor, and testing content every couple of days has always turned me off from using it.

 

I share VegasInvasion's exact thought process

 

I'm curious as to what methanol injection system you two recommend? I had an aem meth kit on my last project and it failed in under a year. I'd want something reliable and probably with a fail safe of some kind. From what I read methanol is hard on pumps.

 

I run the flex fuel sensor with S300 V3 and have had no issues. Had to put some 92 octane in on a long trip and it was seamless. I'm using a tablet running off of Bluetooth as a display for Smanager so I always know what my percentage is as well.

 

I don't think AEM EMS is a more reliable ECU, nor do I think it will improve your flex fuel accuracy over S300. The sensor is the same for EMS as it is for Hondata.
Nothing runs an Honda engine better than a Honda ECU, unless you're making massive power.
AEM's meth injection system is actually one I prefer, specifically for their nozzle. I DON'T like their pumps. There are better rotary/vane pumps out there, some have a pressure bypass adjustment right on the pump. But if you run any pump dry, that's usually where it becomes damaged and randomly fails soon after.
I also like Xenocron's meth injection, and snow performance, but I always recommend the AEM nozzle simply because it's consistently delivered good results for me.

 

I like the Aquamist HFS-3 system myself. Second place would go to Snow Performance. The AEM is actually a decent kit, just a lot of cheaper parts are used. I don't really worry about it's fail-safe as much because I only inject w/ a single 660cc injector at the throttle body in an anti-slosh tank that is allowed in Time Attack. I also make my own Methanol and don't purchase pre-mix solutions.

 

How?

 

I use HEET water remover and brine-treated distilled water measured. I use an 80/20 mix

 

You do know that HEET link above is for ISO-HEET, right?

Edit. Nevermind you removed it