Filed under: Ethanol, Chevrolet, Detroit Auto Show
GM skipped E85 for new LS9 V-8 to preserve low speed drivability
One of the big stories today over on our sister site Autoblog is the new Corvette ZR1. The ZR1 is propelled by a new LS9 version of the classic small block V-8 that's been heavily beefed up and supercharged to yield at least 620hp. On several previous occasions here at ABG we've covered high-performance tuners who are using ethanol as a fuel in high power boosted engines to take advantage of the high octane ratings at a lower cost and cleaner emissions than racing gasolines. During the preview of the LS9 we asked Chief Engineer Sam Winegarden about the use of ethanol and why GM chose to pass on it for this application. The answer came down to the difficulty of maintaining good low speed drivability while being able to provide the high fuel flow rates required at maximum power. Check out GreenFuelsForecast for a more detailed explanation of why the LS9 only runs on premium gasoline.
[Source: GreenFuelsForecast]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater 10:55AM (12/21/2007)
Why not just have multiple direct injectors then?
Geez GM, let's start thinking big here..
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Whopper 11:26AM (12/21/2007)
"Why not just have multiple direct injectors then?"
Because the combustion chamber is already a crowded place with large intake and exhaust valves, spark plug and injector. Not to mention the additional complexity. Geez Doc, think it through!
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MikeW 8:10PM (12/21/2007)
It doesn't have direct injection, it has port injection.
The Mclaren F1 had an upper and lower fuel injector per cylinder. That could have been implemented here, but why?
How would the boost be altered if you ran on E85? It wouldn't. The biggest change could be spark timing, and the limited gain, under limited usage, for the extra cost isn't worth it.
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