I remember when 101 and 102 octane was available at the pump! This was back in the late 60's and early 70's before the Arab oil embargo. Many engines produced by manufacturers had compression ratios of 11+ to 1 and guys building motors would run as much 14 to 1. Emissions regulations killed all the fun.
Gasoline has more energy per pound of fuel than alcohol, but it burns very dirty and hot, hence the need for all the additives to try and keep the motor clean.
Alcohol, while having less energy per pound, burns much cooler and cleaner. In fact, high performance alcohol drag motors will sweat at the manifold like a cold glass of water on a hot day and be cold to the touch. The main drawback is the fact that more fuel is needed to achieve the same performance level as gasoline. The second is the expense of setting up the motor to run alcohol, plastics and rubber tend to dissolve or weaken and crack, and we all know how much manufacturers love cheap plastics, even in engine components.
Did you know that Henry Ford actually designed the Model T to run on ethanol? Back then it was cheap and abundant, the perfect fuel for the "Everyman"s car". Oil companies managed to persuade him otherwise.
Would I be a fan of Ethanol if it were available? With an octane rating of 110-114 for 100% ethanol, hell yes! If we could get the Corn Lobby, and the Fed to stay out of the mix, and once the industry got up and running, I believe it could be produced more cheaply than gasoline, hell, they're already doing it South America. No need for them to worry about what's happening in the ME. I would love to be able to build a high compression, high performance motor and be able to just fill up at the local station and not have to worry about detonation destroying it.
Sorry, should've posted a "Gearhead Alert".
