ethanol E10 for suburban 2003

[budokai]

Hi,
I am french living in france and I will perhaps buy a suburban 1500 5.3l vortek(2003 with 180000 miles). There is a good maintenance on it .
So I would like to know if we can used ethanol e10 with this truck.
in france gasoline is very expensive and ethanol is cheaper.
what do you think?
thanks for your answer

 

[about20ninj45]

owners manual will tell you if its flexfuel capable or not. You could also check the sticker inside your glovebox. Some of those models were flexfuel capable...

 

[HBNH]

Yes, you can. If the 8th digit/letter in your VIN is a, "Z", then you can also run E85. "Z" is the L59 5.3L flex fuel engine option. In fact, most gas stations in the USA or at least in my area sell only the E10, and diesel. If you don't have the, "Z" engine option, then I think only up to 10% is acceptable.

 

[SLCHOE]

If you have a 10th digit "Z" in your VIN then you have an alcohol sensor inline from your fuel pump to the fuel rail. The ECM will adjust for alcohol content and percentage as necessary.

 

[about20ninj45]

Hey @SLCHOE .... In theory, I could upgrade my pump and injectors and ad that sensor to run e85 ....correct?

 

[SLCHOE]

Hey @SLCHOE .... In theory, I could upgrade my pump and injectors and ad that sensor to run e85 ....correct?

Unfortunately no. There are other factors to weigh in IIRC.

 

[about20ninj45]

Aside from the stainless lines. My pcm already has the OS for it and it's enabled. All I would have to do is tune for it. There's wasn't a huge difference between flex fuel and non flex fuel vehicles aside from that. The sss guys are running e85 even though their vehicles aren't flex fuel.