Posted: Feb 26 2006 at 12:02am | IP Logged

Hey y'all from Phoenix!  New to this forum, but not new to automotive forums on the net (I promise to mind my manners and only post new information.)  I'm interested is making my '05 Fronty CC a Flex-Fuel vehicle, and thought I'd post what I've found in case any of you know more, or are also interested.

After Bush's State of the Union addres this month, wherein he called for the use of E85 (85% Ethanol) to reduce our dependence on foriegn oil, I emailed Nissan N.A. asking about using E85 as fuel for our engines.  Specifically, I was asking about whether or not parts of the engine/fuel system would need modification apart from the ECU.  There are companies out there who make tuning boxes for many automotive makes/models,  i.e. the Brazillian company, Flextune:  www.flextune.com

These boxes manipulate the fuel injection systems of non-flex-fuel vehicles to account for the specific properties  of Ethanol, producing a clean and efficient burn on every stroke.  For those of you who are wondering if I'm smoking crack, see:  http://www.ethanol.org/talkingpoints.html for more information on ethanol and what it means for the future of US transportation.

At any rate, I'm sure at least a few of you have been wondering about our Frontiers, and without further ado, here is the response I got from Nissan:

"...the Frontier cannot run on E85 (Ethanol) fuel at all at this time. Only the 2005 Titan FFV can consume this type of fuel. There were special fuel tanks, pumps, and hoses that were installed at the time of manufacturing, that can withstand this more corrosive fuel for the 2005 Titan FFV. Modifications cannot be made to the vehicle to accommodate an alternative fuel, due to the vehicles internal parts being designed specifically for the vehicle and installed at the time of manufacturing. At this time Nissan North America, Inc. has not released any official information regarding a tuning box for these motors, or if or when Nissan will produce a 4-cylinder diesel version of the Frontier."

The good news is that it appears as though it's only going to take a new fuel pump, tank, and fuel lines to be flex-fuel ready.  Then, it's just a matter of finding a tuner to remap the ECU.  I don't know how expensive the fuel pump will be, bu the tank and lines shouldn't be prohibitive at all.

If you've found a source for Ethanol ECU remapping, or for the parts mentioned above, please post it here.  After running biodiesel for years in my Golf without issue, I'm ready to kiss another warranty goodbye in the name of reducing foriegn oil dependency.

Random

Posted: Feb 26 2006 at 12:41am | IP Logged

The only thing I do not like is the fact that my 90 Nissan Maxima cannot run any percentage of Ethanol.  Even the small 10% used in the local 89 here. 

BTW... I hate to say it, but it's not the foreign oil that is killing our pocket books, but the companies.  Congress is looking into major companies after their RECORD profit margines.  Also, I was reading a article in a magazine that after tests, PROVED that some companies were actually refining gasoline BELOW standards.  So that tank of 91 you might have bought, might have had the refinment of 85. 

Also, my employer is required to have a certain number of Flex Fuel vehicles.  We have been having problems with them in terms of mileage, and running condition.  While the E85 is a good concept, I believe bio diesel is a better way to go.

Posted: Feb 26 2006 at 1:10am | IP Logged

I agree, I use US grown biodiesel every day in my Golf.  Brilliant stuff!  Smells like french frys and still gives me wheel-spin in second gear (along with 47 MPG.)  I would argue, however, that foriegn oil is killing our pocketbooks becasue of a little thing called the war in Iraq.  I say, grow our own fuel domestically, and teach those blokes in the middle-east and other petrolist states a lesson in manners!

Posted: Feb 26 2006 at 10:16am | IP Logged

Actually Iraq is only selling us about 10% of their recource.  The rest of it is up in flames by the Insurgents.  Spent quite a bit of time over there, and was able to have a few dicussions with the locals.

I think the foreign producers is part of the problem, but the companies are the main reason behind the $3.50 gas hike.  While the producers raised their prices on barrels, it was the US companies that set prices here in the states, and worse, refined the oil below standards. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08 /05/AR2005080501997_pf.html

here's a good article about it, Exxon Mobile made $88.6 BILLION.  Not in a year, but in a QUARTER.  Higher than any GNP of 18 countries, and made Microsoft look like chump change.  Can you blame a company for trying to make profit in a hard time, NO, but it's one thing to raise your price because oil costs more, another to charge outragoues.  And what did Exxon do with all that money... bought back their own shares. 

Here's how to find the article on Companies skimmping on refining gas.

http://www.underhoodservice.com/
Search Back Issues
"Bad Gas Update, Jan 2006"

While people like to blame overseas for the gas price problem, I believe they're pointing their fingers too quickly.  Yes, foreign producers are raking in the profits from us, but also our own American companies are doing it as well. 

I believe with most that we should cut down on foreign oil, but I don't like how everyone is just blaming them.  To me it's the same as someone saying that my Frontier is a "import".  Our Frontiers are more American made than any Ford or Chevy.  They outsource almost 90% of their stuff now.  Engines, body, etc.  While ours are about 98% Amercian, with the Engine and Tranny coming from overseas.

Posted: Feb 27 2006 at 1:21am | IP Logged

..

kcidmil

I fully agree with what you are saying.

... There were studies by two major universities about E-85 economics, performance and effects on petroleum consumption. Both studies concluded E-85 was a bad joke in all categories and would require more petroleum to make a gallon than it would save. I acquired this information from Ed Wallace, a highly acclaimed automotive expert, radio show host and newspaper columnist.

... I have worked on a farm that grew corn. I have plowed and planted corn with a team of Percheron horses and that saved some petroleum. I can just see thousands of horse drawn carts on the highway carrying the corn to the refinery.