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Old 06-25-09, 12:58 PM   #1
AWD Ninja
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Questions for Z1k GURUS/Einsteins Out There

Okay, for a little preface I have been tuning mitsubishis EVO's and Subarus STI/WRX's for some time now. And i understand most of all the mechanics that it takes to get them in the 400+ hp arena. Well one of the new big things is tuning for E85 aka Ethanol. Ethanol is GREAT for boosted cars ! it burns lower, cleaner, and has a pretty high octane. It helps get crazy power out of those 2 cars mentioned above.

Now the questions: Has anyone tuned thier Z for E85 ? Did you have to get bigger injectors (I would think you would) ? Fuel pump ect... ??
How do you go about 'tuning' a bike ?? (i use a data logging computer AMS FTW)
Other questions:
Is there any bigger, nicer radiators out there for the Z ?? my bike runs to hot for my liking

Well thanks for taking the time to read this ! here is a funny pic to reward you !
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Old 06-25-09, 02:44 PM   #2
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I don't know about your ethanol question, but I also didn't like how HOT the Z ran, so I changed out the coolant to the stuff I use for dirtbike riding. The coolant is called "Engine Ice" and it's blue in color. The stuff is amazing and my bike runs significantly cooler (at least 10-20 degrees cooler). It's safe to use in our aluminum radiatiors, but it's pricey at $20/bottle and you will need 2 bottles for the size of the Z's rad.
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Old 06-25-09, 03:42 PM   #3
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WOW thanks for the tip ! Im gonna run out and get some asap ! ! I'm excited to use it ! While I saw driving up to the photo shoot yesterday on the highway the Zed was at 205-215, I thought it was WAY to high
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Old 06-25-09, 04:11 PM   #4
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I would think you would need significant fuel system mods to run ethanol. You could probably calculate the PSI requirements and BSFC of the engine on E85 and dial everything with an aftermarket EFI like Motec or something similar.

I changing out to 1/2 distilled and 1/2 water wetter tonight. Been 105 all week here in central Texas!!

As far as a larger radiator, there are a zillion options. I'd get one from a supersport bike that has similar inlet/outlet/tab locations and fab up some small brackets to make it look somewhat "factory"....
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Old 06-25-09, 04:55 PM   #5
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How hot is too hot for the bike to run? I have been riding in Dallas the last few days when its been over 100 and my bike has gotten up to 223 a couple times. It is only when I get slowed way down or stopped and not much longer than a minute or two. I assume it will be alright for short stints but once it gets over 230 I will be lane splitting or riding in the median or whatever to keep it cool
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Old 06-25-09, 05:52 PM   #6
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The absolute hottest my 08 has seen is 218, not one degree higher...wtf is wrong with your guy's bikes? As for the ethanol, I dont think you would see much of a gain with it, its probably worth a shot however, get a map custom tuned for it, you'll need to have the injectors flow quite a bit more then stock as E85 doesnt produce as much energy as gasoline and requires MORE to act the same, IMO it would work best if you were going to be boosting, as its 110+ octane fuel.
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Old 06-25-09, 06:08 PM   #7
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Well I just got back from the local street bike shop. I got 2 things of engine ice ! the guys at the shop ranted and raved about how good it is.
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Old 06-25-09, 06:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWDimprezaL View Post
The absolute hottest my 08 has seen is 218, not one degree higher...wtf is wrong with your guy's bikes?
I drive about 50 miles in a heat index of 105 degrees F. The Z keeps cool as long as I am atleast driving over 15-20 mph but if i get slower than that it really heats up. May have to go to engine ice, that stuff is expensive though
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Old 06-25-09, 06:59 PM   #9
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It's been fairly hot here in NC the past few weeks, in the 90s. My bike when I am riding stays around 180f-185f. My interstate speed is between 80-85mph, and I pretty much handle the speed limit all other times. The only time my temp goes up significantly is waiting at traffic lights. I have seen 219 as the hottest at a stop light, but when the fan comes on it drops 10-15 degrees in a matter of seconds.
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Old 06-25-09, 07:40 PM   #10
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Yup, temp here is in the mid 90s I was in an hours worth of stop and go this afternoon, didnt get over 218, the fans kicked on at 216, it went up to 218 cooled back down to 210 and repeated untill I started to move.
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Old 06-25-09, 08:17 PM   #11
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Yea there is a huge difference between 90 and 100. The hottest I would see back in Denver was usally 90 which is pretty managable, could wear a jacket, and my bike wouldn't get too hot. Triple digits is a different story, and the humidity doesn't help either. I am in heaven when the sun goes behind a cloud for a minute or two cause it makes a huge difference. Hopefully temperatures don't climb any higher, for the sake of me and my Z
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636 Forks and Calipers, 07' 636 Front Wheel, Tach LED swap w/black face, Other Stickers
Muzzy Headers, LeoVince GP Can, Pazzo Levers, TSW Trackstar 4 Wheel, Gold Rim Stipes
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Old 06-25-09, 09:28 PM   #12
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[quote=AWD Ninja;539341]Okay, for a little preface I have been tuning mitsubishis EVO's and Subarus STI/WRX's for some time now. And i understand most of all the mechanics that it takes to get them in the 400+ hp arena. Well one of the new big things is tuning for E85 aka Ethanol. Ethanol is GREAT for boosted cars ! it burns lower, cleaner, and has a pretty high octane. It helps get crazy power out of those 2 cars mentioned above.

Now the questions: Has anyone tuned thier Z for E85 ? Did you have to get bigger injectors (I would think you would) ? Fuel pump ect... ??
How do you go about 'tuning' a bike ?? (i use a data logging computer AMS FTW)
Other questions:
Is there any bigger, nicer radiators out there for the Z ?? my bike runs to hot for my liking

Well thanks for taking the time to read this ! here is a funny pic to reward you !
If ya want cooler temps, the Engine Ice is your huckleberry. If ya want some bling, the ZX-7R radiator is big-n-curvy, and a popular swap on the ZRX. Dunno if it fits the Z (I'm pretty sure no other rad will just bolt on).
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having to rev the bike TOO MUCH? seriously? thats what it is for, thats why it revs to 11k, so you can use it. trust me, reach out and twist the nipple off of it, she like it.

Last edited by Martin64 : 06-26-09 at 09:19 AM.
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Old 06-26-09, 08:43 AM   #13
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Ethanol

When we use to race in the late 50's and 60's we used straight alchohol and the mixture had to be drastically richened to realize any power gains. With an 85 15 mixture it would not be that bad but a power commander would probably do the trick. Also ethanol burns much cooler than gasoline. We did not have radiators on the drag strip back then and the motor remained within temperature limits for relatively very long periods of time 10 to 15 minutes. Of course with a 85 15 mixture it would still overheat without the radiator but you will probably run cooler than you are now. I am neither an Einstein or a guru but a few shots of Jim Beam and a beer are excellent tuning tools.
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Old 06-26-09, 12:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dippitydoo View Post
... I am neither an Einstein or a guru but a few shots of Jim Beam and a beer are excellent tuning tools.
The best line i have EVER seen ! ! and great info too ! im gonna do some reading
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