Ethanol or no ethanol added for the TC?

I am lucky living here, or so I've heard, because 93 octane fuel is readily available. As I was filling up today, I noticed the "Ethanol added" sticker on the fuel pump. I knew the gasoline had ethanol in it, but afterwards on my way home, I noticed a station that advertised "No ethanol in our gas". I stopped there and their highest octane rating is 92, but it's the same price as the other station. I don't really know the advantages or disadvantages to ethanol in my fuel, so that's my question. Which would be better for my car and my driving... 17psi of boost on the IHI, a few other mild mods, curvy mountainous roads, and fast and fun. What do ya think?? Thanks

Kev

advantage....costs less, cooler burning, more power possible with proper tuning.

disadvantage....possible lean mixture in uncalibrated engines, worse mileage, can cause rust in fuel system.

if it's the same price, go for the 100% gasoline....in my opinion...

It's a complex issue overall. Ethanol has less energy and the blends(gasahol) will affect mileage.
I goggled "ethanol gas" and got several pages. I looked at the first couple listings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/busine...hanol.html

here in NJ its hard to avoid the 10% ethanol. That said, 93 premium isn't hard to find at all.

I have run 10% blend in mine, off and on, ( when available) since day 1. I even remember the day I asked the Dealer if it was safe to do so and he had to look it up.
Over the years of running various high comp engines on poor pump gas. ( There was a time when premium was not available!) I have used Alchohol as the substitute to get the power back up to where it was supposed to be.
FUel economy can suffer at high mix ratios such as the E85, but at 5 to 10 % ratio, I could not notice the difference. Negligible at best. On my old Torino 429CJ, it allowed me to run my stock timing way more advanced with no knocking as compared to non Alchy fuels. THe cooling effect which stops pre det was responsible for this, and I also played around with water injection a bit, and the alchy blends absorb and assist to distribute the water spray into the cylinders more evenly, or so I believe.
I was told no more than 10% as our cars plumbing etc was nor specifically developed for "Dry Fuels" which alcohol is. It cleans out the system real well, meaning it washes away most deposits in the fuel system, and because it has no lubrication qualitys it also has less protective qualities like straight gas has. BUt, given my car is all stock, other than a number of fuel pumps, and I have only cleaned the IAC once, and it did not need it, I don't see any real downside to the fuel. I have felt no difference in power, and I live in Mountain country and enjoy the twisty turning roads that call for a bit more into and out of the throttle. NO difference in response in the way the engine runs.
I do know for fact, that when I have the Bird Smog Checked, the 10% blend sure knocks back the emmissions, ran it thru on non Alch once and then ran it back thru after burning a couple of tanks of blend, and the Tester( A buddy of mine) said that he could not believe the difference, being that the only thing I did was change fuels. HIs words, " is that the same engine?"
Given the Price is the same, and I have found no downside to it, and it burns far cleaner, no dispute there, I have the smog test certificates to prove it, I will keep using it. IT supports the farmers more the Big Oil as well....
Martin

I have been running E10 (the only kind of gas I can get here in SE WI) for over 15 years in lots of different cars. Zero problems. Smog checks (IM240 roller dyhno test) all may cars have passed on the "fast pass test" after 30 or so seconds, meaning emissions were too low to measure on their equipment. Back when we switched to E10 years ago, I noticed virtually no difference in gas mileage.