I'd like to know what gas you have been using in your "Z".. I have tried both 92 & 93 Octane.. In all honesty, I can't tell the difference except in my pocketbook.. There is about a 8-10 cent a gallon difference in the grades.. I wonder if anyone has tried 1/2 premium and 1/2 regular in your tank yet?? I just went over 2000 miles on the car this weekend and it's running better than ever.. Gas mileage averaged right around 26 MPG on the highway with average speed around 75-80 and a couple of bursts to 100-105..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY

Sorry I missed the Bob Sharp get togther yesterday..

 

Well here in CA, the "premium" is 91 octane. It's the highest available in public gas stations. So if you have access to higher octanes, I am sure you can stick to the 92 and you'll be fine. Those in other states (like me) are still using lower octane than you.

 

Whatever you do....

DO NOT USE ANYTHING LOWER THAN 90 OCTANE

on these new engines. Trust me... I'm on my 4th Z guys & I have tried EVERYTHING!! The best running gas I think is Chevron. It seems to burn the best on a higher HP engine, more so than Texaco or anything else. The second option I think would have to be Shell as the octane is 92 or higer in most states.

I am only voicing my opinion... But if you hear pinging or knocks, try a better gas. ASAP!!!



Zchick

 

Gotta love the cold north baby. 94 Octane from the pump. I know a few cats that have gone down to Cali for some import drags in some serious machinery and where blown away that most gas stops on the way didn't even have 91 octane. Most of the guys couldn't run the first time and the next trip was done with tonnes of octane boost.

 

Using 93 (Texas), but looking for 94 - screw the extra pennies - It's not a daily driver.

 

Anyone using methanol blended gas? It gives higher octane, but I've heard bad things about it...

 

Are we talking actual octane number or what it reads at the pump? The Mobil stations I go to around where I live post 93 octane but the formula underneath that works out to 91...

 

i dont have my z yet but here in North carolina , Raleigh he have 97 octane at 3 out of 5 gas stations

 

93 octane is where most gas station has here in Houston, TX. So, that's what I put in it. Doesn't matter what brand, as long as it's reasonable priced..

 

In Maryland and Virginia, my preference is
1) Sunoco 260 - 94 Octane
2) Amoco gold - 93 Octane

1969 Datsun 2000 must have 94 or higher, or it will diesel at shutoff, a true indicator of lack of octane.

 

Holy Cow, you guys must be rich (just Kidding)!

Running my 350Z on 89 here in Oregon/Washington and not a ping or a knock. I've run my last 4 Z's on 87 so I think I'm getting killed with 89. At the first sign of a ping or weak performance I will move up.

The only car I've owned that actually needed 92 was my 1992 SC300 Lexus. Really noticable loss of performance with 89 octane.

Keep on Z'n Still Jumpin for Joy!

 

87 Octane in a Z? Jeez, my power lawn mower pings when I use 87 octane. Also. the higher octanes used to have additives (e.g. fuel injection cleaners, etc.) that the lower octanes didn't have - don't know if that is still true.

 

While I plan to use the highest grade here in Colorado (91), 87 octane is sufficient due to the altitude here. I know in those states that suffer from too much oxygen , 90 is a good low octane to start from.

Todd

 

I'm not advocating the use of 87 for a car designed for Premium. However, running 87 will not, in and of itself, harm your engine. The ECU will use it's knock sensor to detect early detonation and dial back the aggressiveness of it's settings. You _will_ lose power, but you won't cause damage. It seems to me that if you buy a Z, you're buying power and you should follow the MFGs suggestions.

Methanol, however, is a different story. Methanol burns much hotter than good ol' dino stuff, and can cause damage IF run in significant quantities. It's also a lot 'dirtier' than dino in that there are particulates that result from the burn. A lot of the midwest doesn't really have much of a choice, as it's mandated by law [I believe] to have it mixed in in certain states. So, does it hurt if you use the methanol mixed gas? Prolly nothing significant within the first 100k miles, but there are arguments to both sides.

 

Heck with 92 or 93... has anyone tried 100+ Octane yet? You can get it around here near some local race tracks (you have to put it in containers, they won't let you pump it directly into a street car). I know a guy with a turbo'ed 240SX and he gets an extra 35hp with it (partially because he can run higher boost). And it's just a mere $5 per gallon

 

Sunoco Ultra 94

 

I don't have my Z yet but gas in Japan

Regular 95 - 98 Oct

Prem 103 - 107 Oct


Gas on the base about 89 Oct

Cost on base about $1.10

Cost off base $3.50 What a delima

Any body using products like Octane boost?

 

Zchick, are they still using a lot of gasahol at higher altitudes in the SW and the mountain states to make premium gas? If they are, I wouldn't recommend it anywhere even if it is rated 90 or 92-3 because it really isn't worth the drivabilty problems it causes. My wife's 99 Maxima did fine on 89 above 5000 ft and it was the highest non-gasohol octane we could find. It didn't do anything that suggested ping or knock.

I do agree w/you on octane, 90 is the absolute lowest grade you want to run and I would not recommend mixing premium and regular unless you have to because you can't find premium. The extra $2-300 a year you save pales when you hole a piston using low octane gas. I define any thing under 90 as low octane if you put it in your Z. In Oklahoma, we can't get Shell, Chevron, AMOCO and 91 octane is about all we can get except for Sinclair and one or two others. The Texaco across the street from the BMW dealer carries 93 octane in N. OKC but its a bit of a drive, but any time I can find higher than 91, I get it.

 

I have been looking lately, and I was wondering if there are any gas stations in California that you can get gasoline without MTBE, methanol, or ethanol, since the owners manual says to stay away from these additives:

BTW, some 76 stations in the area do carry 100 ocatane at the pump (only 1 that I know of, but you can check their website, look for racing fuel) at $4+ a gallon

 

modern engines compensate for low octane. There is NO reason to be concerned about the long term effects. Average power loss from using 87 instead of premium is about %5-8 (15-23HP for Z). Economy is also reduced, making the down grade somewhat less cost effective...

Gasoline comes from very few sources in the world. Gasoline from various different companies have shared space in the same vat at some point in time. IT IS THE SAME GAS. Then chevron adds its techron and texaco techroline etc...detergents that have been proven to add nothing to your life except a higher gas bill.

Believe me. I have to go drink beer now, if you insist on proof cuz your a hard head, then PM me and Ill dig up my sources. Ive been researching for YEARS....