Convert your Volvo Redblock to use Bio-Ethanol E85
Since i decided that i don't want to pay more and more Euro's to the oil-lobby, i searched for alternative fuels. During my research i found, that ethanol will be a alternative fuel for me. The reason for this was because my old Volvo can run ethanol without doing expensive rebuilds on the engine hardware.
The second reason why i prefer ethanol is, that ethanol has a much better environmental audit then other alternative fuels like e.g. Autogas, which is a fall-out product by the gasoline production. Ethanol is based on crop, it is so to say carbon-dioxide-neutral because the carbon-dioxide the car is emitting is just as much as the crop has taken from the athmosphere during growing.
Let's have a look to the converting procedure. It's not really complicated if you have some experiences with car repairs.
How to convert a N/A Volvo B230F/FB/FD/G/B234F to use Bio-Ethanol E85?
There are various ways to convert a n/a
engine to use Bio-Ethanol E85:
Way1:
you need the following original Volvo parts which you will find on any
turbo engine:
- a set of full injectors from a B230FT/GT turbo engine, Bosch Nr.: 0280 150 804
- a resistor pack from a B230FT/GT engine, 5.6Ohm - 6.5Ohm, Bosch Nr.: 0280 159 014
I've made a few pictures from the resistor conversion on my own n/a car.
The resistor conversion must be done to avoid damage to the ECU because the new injectors are 2.4Ohm types. Without the conversion it's likely possible to damage the ECU because the current flow of the new injectors is to high!
Way2: Install a set of high impedance injectors, this will save you the pain of the resistor conversion.
- Fuel injectors Bosch 315cc/min, high impedance
How to convert a Volvo Turbo B230FT/GT to use Bio-Ethanol E85?
>>: Install a set of high impedance injectors with e.g. 440cc/min, Bosch Greentops 0280 150 558
What is the best way to convert a engine to use Bio-Ethanol E85?
I prefer the injector swap versus any kind of ethanol device because the injector swap is a 'naturally conversion' which allows the ECU to control the injectors as allows. I don't want to say that a conversion with a ethanol box will not work, i only want to draw your attention to the fact that such a device foul the ECU and eliminates the possibility to improve power. The disadvantage of the injector conversion is the fact, that in most cases you won't be able to drive such a car with gasoline after the conversion.
Assume that you have choosen to convert the engine via the injector swap you will pick up another problem: It's nearly impossible to get the engine fired up with the first attempt, most engines need up to four attemps to start. But, and that is the good news, you only need a small cold start device which was developed by myself to solve this small problem.
If you will try to go with a electronic conversion kit, than have a look here: www.flexitune.se
If the injector recommendations are not match your needs you can have a look at my documents site , there you can find injector flow ratings and vehicle lists from Bosch.
There is also another way to increase fuel delivery to the engine:
Below is a list which makes it easy to calculate the level of fuel pressure to get a certain flowrate:
Based on the article: http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=92594
Bernoulli's law: p = .5 * rho * velocity^2
Increase the pressure with factor x, the velocity increases with x^0.5.
Velocity * area = volume flow.
Doubling the pressure will give 2^0.5 = 1.41 times as much fuel. Theoretically.
Raise pressure factor % more flow
3bar -> 2.50bar 0.83 0.919
3bar -> 3.00bar 1.00 1.000
3bar -> 3.50bar 1.17 1.081
3bar -> 3.75bar 1.25 1.118
3bar -> 4.00bar 1.33 1.153
3bar -> 4.25bar 1.42 1.191
3bar -> 4.50bar 1.50 1.224
3bar -> 4.75bar 1.58 1.256
3bar -> 5.00bar 1.67 1.292
Now, what flow has a B230FT injector with gasoline or E85 at 4.25bar?
The B230FT injector 0280 150 804 has a heptan flow from 234g/min@3bar.
We convert the heptan flow to gasoline: 234g/min /0.75 = 312cc/min with gasoline.
Now we take the multiplier from above (4.25bar is 1.191): 312* 1.191 = 372cc/min@4.25bar
That's not pretty difficult to calculate, isn't it?
BTW: Here you can find a modified Bosch regulator: adj. FPR - you can buy this FPR here, price is 99 Euro.
So, i've told you all what you need to start, but if you have a little bit more time you should read this article:
Converting your Volvo to use E85 - from Fredrik Persson / Recommended Reading!
There are many interesting sites in the www regarding ethanol, here is a list of these sites:
English sites:
Ethanol in standard engines
Ethanol.org
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
How e85 ethanol flex fuel works
German sites:
Ethanol Tankstellen in Deutschland
Ethanol fuer Europa
Ethanol statt Benzin
Biokraftstoffseiten
Ethanol tanken
Oil! Tankstellen
Nachwachsende Rohstoffe
Und noch etwas Interessantes, was ich mittlerweile auch Glaube:
>>: Alles Schall und Rauch