13' Pro Ethanol vs Non-Ethanol setting?

[Hopfarmer]

Ok so I searched the forum and could not find a whole lot on this subject. So.....I live here in Idaho Falls and can get non-ethanol 91 from several sources. The question is ....What is the advantage to running in the non-ethanol mode vs the ethanol mode. I've caught bits and pieces about how the sled runs so much better in the non-ethanol mode with 91non-ethanol fuel. Thoughts...............??

 

[moly may]

Ethenol is the worst thing you can do to your sled or anything else especially if its going to set for any length of time. I cant imagine living in a place where i couldnt chose what to run!

 

[Reg2view]

In ethanol mode, at least on the 11/12's, the injectors deliver 5% more fuel. In non-ethanol mode, you run leaner, motor is abit crisper, without being overlean. All with stock head.

Ethanol is simply a fuel oxygenator, and used to boost octane rating while replacing refined dino oil, with many other detrimental effects. It burns hotter (hence the enrichment with ethanol-mode), quickly becomes unstable, attracts water, separates from gas (leaving you with water and very low octane gas), and is just plain bad for the average small engine user in every way. The production of ethanol consumes more BTUs than the fuel delivers. We are victims of the corn growers lobby, very ignorant, greedy politicians, and stupid voters in the big cities.

Run good +91 non-ethanol whenever you can. If you have to run ethanol in a pinch, you can, it won't be the end of the world, change your fuel mode. Add a stabilizer like Startron if you are inclined, it works. Don't store a sled with ethanol in it for more than 30 days and run it. Those of you that must run ethanol all the time need to take other precautions if you're going to run the thing for a few years. A different topic.

 

[AndrettiDog]

It really depends what altitudes you "consistently" run at. Here in Colorado I always run above 8500 feet. Last year I ran my '13 Pro on non-ethanol with 88 non-eth fuel that I bought in the barrel. It ran like a bat out of hell.

I also ran both of my Pros with the non-ethanol plug and used 91 octane ethanol fuel. Above 8500 feet I had no problems. No detonation.

 

[Kirklan]

I've been wondering about this same thing. I've always ran NON ethanol 91 fuel, but continued to run it in ethanol mode for safety concerns. Now I think I'll just run it in non ethanol mode as long as I trust the source and switch it if I don't.

You ready to go sleddin' yet?!!

 

[cateye5312]

It never hurts to go with the factory recommended settings theoretically since they should know the most about their engines. So for the best combination of performance and reliability 91 non-eth must be tops. Unfortunately for me there are no stations within 65 miles of me that offer non-e so I run 91e -

 

[Hopfarmer]

Great comments............Yes KirkLan I'm ready! But still wondering is there a benefit to running the sled in the non-ethanol mode? We ride at 8000'+ and if it will make the sled run even better then why not? I trust that the places I get fuel are giving me what I'm paying for.

 

[codyh5805]

I have always run 91 octane and always had it on the non ethanol setting. Never had an issue. I remember hearing that it changes the timing slight to produce more hp. Don't know how much trueth is to that but it's what I heard.


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[AndrettiDog]

Great comments............Yes KirkLan I'm ready! But still wondering is there a benefit to running the sled in the non-ethanol mode? We ride at 8000'+ and if it will make the sled run even better then why not? I trust that the places I get fuel are giving me what I'm paying for.

You should be able to get away with running the non-ethanol plug/setting at that elevation. Give it a shot. If you detonate, then swap back to ethanol. It is a little snappier and more crisp with the non-ethanol plug/setting.

Bottom line...the lower the octane you can run without detonation, the more power you will get with your sled. Elevation plays into the equation as well. The ECM will run more fuel at higher altitudes.

It never hurts to go with the factory recommended settings theoretically since they should know the most about their engines.

Yeah, Polaris understands their motors. But from the factory they are setup for EPA standards and reliability in a very broad range of users, elevations and conditions. If Polaris setup a sled to run where you ride I guarantee it would be different that the stock setup. The guys that run higher lose power from elevation but have better options for fuel usage.