No more V8 in F150?

[fordmantpw]

I wonder if/when Ford drops the v8 option (far later than 2017 im sure) if they would modify the ecoboost to be capable of burning E85 from the factory. That is one of the major flaws of the eb in my opinion.

I'm curious as to why Ford hasn't already done that. I know a lot of govt. fleets require the ability to burn E85 in the vehicles they buy, which is why many govt. trucks come with the V8 (which is bizarre because it costs them more in the long run).

 

[Green Power]

I think everyone is trying to get away from anything ethanol...let alone E85.

Some people like it. It has many benefits:
1. Lower cost per mile (e15-e20 can be best for this depending on gas prices)
2. More power (if you take your truck to the drag strip or for towing)
3. Burns cleaner than regular gasoline.
4. More American than what the average station carries.
5. Boosts the economy.

 

[Snobdds]

Some people like it. It has many benefits:
1. Lower cost per mile (e15-e20 can be best for this depending on gas prices)
2. More power (if you take your truck to the drag strip or for towing)
3. Burns cleaner than regular gasoline.
4. More American than what the average station carries.
5. Boosts the economy.

You're perception is a bit biased, obviously, but...

1. Lower MPG
2. Higher costs to blend (oxygenate) with regular gasoline.
3. Requires changing the formula from winter to summer.
4. Makes gas go bad quicker
5. Is not backwards compatible with older engines.
6. Using farmland for fuel instead of food, results in higher grain cost, which results in higher food costs.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Reading this thread, from the beginning, was certainly 20 minutes of my life I'll never get back!

 

[Green Power]

You're perception is a bit biased, obviously, but...

1. Lower MPG
2. Higher costs to blend (oxygenate) with regular gasoline.
3. Requires changing the formula from winter to summer.
4. Makes gas go bad quicker
5. Is not backwards compatible with older engines.
6. Using farmland for fuel instead of food, results in higher grain cost, which results in higher food costs.

You're #1 is correct, but you get more power burning E85, (like comparing a pickup with the same motor and feul with 3.55 to 3.73 gears)
As to you're #4 shouldn't be any issue in a pickup (or car). But can be an issue with seldom used lawn equipment, but really is minor IMO.
You're #6... Grain cost is dirt cheap as it is, and ethanol is responsible for such a small fraction of Corn usage that cost of grain would change little without ethanol. Also as it is there are mountains of Corn left to rot every year.
We already have different ethanol related threads around, so some reading can be done into our past discussions... http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/347375-why-does-everyone-rant-rave.html?highlight=
And http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/348689-e85-american-fuel-independence.html?highlight=E85+for+american+independence
Enjoy the reading!

 

[houstonscott]

You're #1 is correct, but you get more power burning E85, (like comparing a pickup with the same motor and feul with 3.55 to 3.73 gears) As to you're #4 shouldn't be any issue in a pickup (or car). But can be an issue with seldom used lawn equipment, but really is minor IMO. You're #6... Grain cost is dirt cheap as it is, and ethanol is responsible for such a small fraction of Corn usage that cost of grain would change little without ethanol. Also as it is there are mountains of Corn left to rot every year. We already have different ethanol related threads around, so some reading can be done into our past discussions... http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/347375-why-does-everyone-rant-rave.html?highlight= And http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/348689-e85-american-fuel-independence.html?highlight=E85+for+american+independence Enjoy the reading!

I think everyone understands what ethanol in fuel means, the problem is the government mandates we use it, and then takes lobby money to stay elected from those who grow corn, to continue the laws. Let it compete in the market. HS

 

[lostcreekranch]

Greenpower, not correct! Ethanol is about 40% of corn production. Per USDA;

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm curious as to why Ford hasn't already done that. I know a lot of govt. fleets require the ability to burn E85 in the vehicles they buy, which is why many govt. trucks come with the V8 (which is bizarre because it costs them more in the long run).

Because it's the Government. Enough said..

Chris

 

[Sysop]

Look at a mining dump truck, locomotive, or ship. To put it simple for dumb dumbs, bigger job, bigger engines, more cylinders. Hate to be so direct, but some people will argue anything. HS

All of what you listed has more powerful yet smaller engines now, than 15 years ago. Doing more with less is called progress, any way you look at it. I think you meant to say "To put it simple for dumb dumbs, bigger job, bigger engines, more cylinders is caveman mentality, where the bigger stick or stone wins the day. If all the cavemen thought like that, we'd still be chucking stones and sticks to get something to eat. At some point someone came up with a better idea..." You're right though, some people will argue anything...

What a lot of people fail to realize, boost, whether it is turbocharged or supercharged, is not some magic voodoo. It is simply a way of increasing displacement without increasing the cylinder size. Engines displace a mix of air and fuel vapors/mist. Compressing the air so a larger volume fits in a smaller cylinder is all a turbo or supercharger does. To be very technical, a boosted engine is variable displacement.

As others have said, with the cylinder and everything along the way being built with the intended pressures in mind, it's not really any big risk. Lots of smaller volume vehicles have proven this time and time again.

Are there issues within the Ecoboost line of engine? Yes. Are they anything out of the ordinary? No... Most of the issues with the EB engines are issues they could have with any engine, and have had the same issues on many past engines. No reports of spark plugs breaking off in the engines, so that's an improvement...

 

[Sysop]

I'm curious as to why Ford hasn't already done that. I know a lot of govt. fleets require the ability to burn E85 in the vehicles they buy, which is why many govt. trucks come with the V8 (which is bizarre because it costs them more in the long run).

If I'm not mistaken it is because E85 has much hotter exhaust gasses and can cause issues with the BorgWarner turbos being used. Same reason they say not to use Seafoam type fuel system treatments.