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SUVs Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Dealer conversion of the 5.3 L to the 5.3 L Flex Fuel E85
13 messages, Last post on May 12, 2009 at 9:42 PM
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| I have asked several GM service managers and can't get the same answer. (some say its a reprogram of the computer - gas cap and decal, others say its a replacement of the fuel rails - fuel pump - and reprogram - and still others advise that it can't be done). I have spent several hours on the phone with GM tech and can't get an answer / they just refer you back to the dealer’s service manager. So, my question, I am in the process of purchasing a new 2008 GM with a 5.3L motor. What is involved in having the GM dealer convert the 5.3L motor to a 5.3L – Flex Fuel E85 ?? | |
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Replying to: jkach (Aug 29, 2008 9:39 am)
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Replying to: jkach (Aug 29, 2008 9:39 am) Secondly, not sure the real value of flex fuel anyhow. My Suburban has flex fuel, but I've never even seen a gas station w/flex fuel. I've also heard that the performance and fuel consumption is horrible, as the 'fuel' has less power/energy. Personally, this is not something that I have seen any value in having. |
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Replying to: ahightower (Aug 29, 2008 10:19 am)
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Replying to: jkach (Aug 29, 2008 12:20 pm) |
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Replying to: jkach (Aug 29, 2008 9:39 am) The problem is that some seals like intake manifold seal at least used to be of different material for FlexFuel engines as alcohol corrodes materials differently than pure gasoline. I don't think intake manifold seal really is a problem as it sees very little of the fuel but GM used to have different seals for this, i.e. orange color for normal and green color seal for FlexFuel engines. But there could be a big problem to fix if you would want to convert the engine: The fuel type sensor that at least older vehicles have. FlexFuel vehicles have a fuel type sensor (yes, I have FlexFuel engine in my '04 Tahoe. Sensor is located on driver side under the car at about half way) that obviously senses if you run pure gasoline or E85. The sensor tells the PCM which fuel you run with, which allows adjustment for ignition timing. These fuels have different compression / burning characteristics and ignition timing must be adjusted accordingly. The fuel sensor has to have wiring for it, which could be there even if the car is without the sensor but I think there is no pre-wiring. In any case it would take at least re-programming the PCM but probably a new PCM and wiring for fuel sensor to do it. There is a chance that a new FlexFuel cars do not use fuel sensor any more and for fuel sensing they use 02 sensors. I don't know if GM is that far yet. Someone with a new FlexFuel vehicle could crawl under the car and see if there is a sensor or not. (Any volunteers?) If the Fuel sensor is not used any more then it should only take re-programming the PCM and perhaps replacing 02 sensors. I would recommend you not to even think about conversion later on. If you want FlexFuel you need to buy one built with it. And waiting for FlexFuel might be good for future as E85 might be more available. I have driven two tank fulls with E85 and it does give about 15 % less MPG but it runs cleaner and who knows it might be the fuel more available in the future than pure gasoline. I would use more E85 but it is not available in my area. I can buy it only if I travel about 350 miles out from my home. It is just amazing how little GM dealer shops know about the vehicles they sell as they have not been able to tell if conversion is possible. But what can you expect from a company which is going under anyway. Arrie
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Replying to: arrie (Aug 30, 2008 6:58 am) |
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| I have a Chevy Suburban that needs a new fuel line (and possibly fuel tank) along with a new muffler system. Otherwise its in great shape. I will miss it for it's cargo hauling ability and was about ready to donate it but thought I'd ask and see if anyone has been able to convert a suburban beast into an alternative hybrid of somesort. | |
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Replying to: arrie (Aug 30, 2008 6:58 am)
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Replying to: whitey1940 (Apr 19, 2009 6:52 pm) A regular engine, can run up to 10% ethanol with no problem, which seems to be fairly standard availability. An E85 flex fuel engine, is made to handle gas that is up to 85% ethanol. I've only ever seen 1 station in my area that even sells 85% ethanol fuel, and as I understand the mpg is extremely poor. If your stations have 10% ethanol, that's fine for your current burb.
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