modifications > Ethanol Content Analyzer
Why did you install an Ethanol Content Analyzer (ECA) on your GRC?
The GR Corolla is not designated as a flex fuel vehicle from the factory. However, there are many benefits of running higher than premium 93 octane unleaded fuel. One of the biggest benefits of running a higher octane fuel is that you can run more spark advance to generate more power.
It is also highly recommended to run an aftermarket intercooler to lower the charge air temps so that timing advance is not reduced. We are trying to prevent knock (detonation, pre-ignition) from occurring in the cylinders. The highest ethanol mix that is safe to run in the GR Corolla
on the stock fuel system is somewhere between E30 to E50. Anything higher than that will require either upgrading the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP), in-tank pump, or injectors. A tune is required to take advantage of the higher octane. Race gas is also an option, but blending E85 with 93 octane
to get E30 or E40 is much cheaper in the long run.
At the time, no one offered a plug-n-play ECA kit for the GR Corolla. I purchased a DIY ECA from Fuel-It. Included in the kit you will find fuel hose, ECA, connectors, clamps, and wiring harness.
Date Completed:
07/14/24
Materials:
- Fuel-It Universal Bluetooth DIY Flex Fuel Kit for 5/16" fuel lines (Fuel-it.com)
- Part #23901-18030 Tube Sub Assembly Fuel (Toyota.OEMpartsonline.com)
- Motor oil (to lubricate fuel connectors)
- Add-A-Circuit Mini (Amazon.com)
- 15A Low Profile Mini fuse
- Fuel-It fuel tester kit
- Shop Towels
- Zip ties
- Sharpie
Tools:
- 1/4" drive ratchet with 6" extension and sockets (7mm, 10mm)
- Oetiker clamp pliers (in Fuel-It DIY kit)
- Combination wrenches (2x 10mm)
- Flat-blade screwdriver (small)
- Wire stripping pliers
- Needle nose pliers
- Hose cutting tool
- Wire crimper
- Scissors
- Lighter
- Must download Fuel-It App (Apple - Link, Android - Link)
Notes:
1. Install took several hours to find the optimum fuel house routing and location of ECA.
2. See photo #00 below for procedure to bleed fuel rail pressure. It took 24 mins of idling for my GRC to shut off due to lack of fuel.
3. Only (2) wiring plugs needs to be disconnected/reconnected for this installation (MAF sensor, HPFP).
4. ECA attaches to an existing (unused) threaded hole in the top the transmission.
5. Use the 15.3mm Oetiker clamps for the (2) blue connectors on the ECA. Use the 14.8mm Oetiker clamps for the (2) factory orange connectors.
6. Reversible back to stock because I purchased a spare fuel line to scavenge (2) factory fuel connectors from.
7. Took about 1 mile for the ethanol content in my fuel lines to rise from E8 to E34. I drove for 15 miles before flashing/datalogging the E30 tune.
8. Current mileage = 5429.
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