Think cars run better on premium gas? It’s a myth
05-25-2004, 07:49 PM
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Think cars run better on premium gas? It’s a myth
i know ppl have talked about this before, but i was just wondering whether ppl here in socal are like me ... adhering to chevron supreme ....91 ...
Higher octane fuel doesn't make that much of a difference?
Higher octane fuel doesn't make that much of a difference?
05-25-2004, 08:53 PM
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Re: Think cars run better on premium gas? It’s a myth
Originally posted by desiZ
i know ppl have talked about this before, but i was just wondering whether ppl here in socal are like me ... adhering to chevron supreme ....91 ...
Higher octane fuel doesn't make that much of a difference?
i know ppl have talked about this before, but i was just wondering whether ppl here in socal are like me ... adhering to chevron supreme ....91 ...
Higher octane fuel doesn't make that much of a difference?
05-25-2004, 09:03 PM
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It's really simple. Cars that require premium-grade fuel run best with it (i.e., the Z) those that require 87 octane get no benefit from premium-grade fuel.
You'll generally find higher-compression engines require premium-grade fuel. That's evident in many high-compression, higher-horsepower engines that squeeze a lot of power out of a 4 or 6 cylinder engine like the VQ as well as Honda's 3.2 - to name a couple 6's.
You'll generally find higher-compression engines require premium-grade fuel. That's evident in many high-compression, higher-horsepower engines that squeeze a lot of power out of a 4 or 6 cylinder engine like the VQ as well as Honda's 3.2 - to name a couple 6's.
05-25-2004, 09:48 PM
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Roger That - Chevron with Techron
Originally posted by SHO-TIME
Chevron with Techron. That's the only gas I get.
Chevron with Techron. That's the only gas I get.
As I was still sleepy, and needed fuel.. I pulled into an Arco..
( Must have thought I was driving the Max ) and asked the Arco guy where was the nearest Chevron Station. Ha!
Cheers Amy
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05-26-2004, 11:21 AM
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I think that most would agree:
Cars that don't have the compression necessary for premium gas, don't run better on premium.
Cars that do have high compression, like our Z, will knock if one uses less than premium gas. A family member drove my car (I won't say that it was my wife) and put regular gas in....definitely heard knocking when I accelerated.
California gas is 91 octane...rest of the country is 92-94.
Cars that don't have the compression necessary for premium gas, don't run better on premium.
Cars that do have high compression, like our Z, will knock if one uses less than premium gas. A family member drove my car (I won't say that it was my wife) and put regular gas in....definitely heard knocking when I accelerated.
California gas is 91 octane...rest of the country is 92-94.
05-26-2004, 12:24 PM
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Our cars must run on 91 octane. Actually the car is designed for 92 but oh well, it won't knock...
Octane measures combustability under pressure. So with a low-compression engine, a lower octane is fine because it will not combust under pressure. Meanwhile on a high compression engine, such as the VQ, a 91 octane is a must in order to maintain compression and allow the spark to fire on time.
I double dog dare desiZ to run 87octane for a month.
Porsche recommends Chevron w/ Techron for one reason - because Chevron got in to bed with Porsche.
And code350z, our engine actually loves racing fuel. When Sport Compact car got their first 350z they tested it with California 91 and got about 230-240 at the wheels. Then they tested it with high octane racing fuel and got like an extra 15-20 hp (for $5/gallon).
Actually if you have your own garage you can store a barrel of racing fuel. Then everytime you fill up add 1 gal on racing fuel and effectively improve your octane rating to 92. If I had my own garage I'd do this in a heartbeat.
Octane measures combustability under pressure. So with a low-compression engine, a lower octane is fine because it will not combust under pressure. Meanwhile on a high compression engine, such as the VQ, a 91 octane is a must in order to maintain compression and allow the spark to fire on time.
I double dog dare desiZ to run 87octane for a month.
Porsche recommends Chevron w/ Techron for one reason - because Chevron got in to bed with Porsche.
And code350z, our engine actually loves racing fuel. When Sport Compact car got their first 350z they tested it with California 91 and got about 230-240 at the wheels. Then they tested it with high octane racing fuel and got like an extra 15-20 hp (for $5/gallon).
Actually if you have your own garage you can store a barrel of racing fuel. Then everytime you fill up add 1 gal on racing fuel and effectively improve your octane rating to 92. If I had my own garage I'd do this in a heartbeat.
05-26-2004, 12:55 PM
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I try to stick with Unocal gas (91 octane) when I can, but if not, then Chevron. Unocal has no MTBE in their gas and mixes ethanol in it, which supposedly means less knock. I noticed my car runs stronger than with Chevron, and I get better gas mileage. But this is in my Z32TT (8.5:1 compression) and it does require 91. For some strange reason, ARCO also gave me better mileage in my Pathfinder.
I read about a study that some 1G DSM guys did before comparing 91 octane ethanol vs. MTBE gas in Socal. They datalogged knock count and found gas with ethanol to be consistently lower. I'll be sticking with Unocal. I know comparing turbos and NA's is like apples and oranges, but I believe this could be good info for everyone.
I read about a study that some 1G DSM guys did before comparing 91 octane ethanol vs. MTBE gas in Socal. They datalogged knock count and found gas with ethanol to be consistently lower. I'll be sticking with Unocal. I know comparing turbos and NA's is like apples and oranges, but I believe this could be good info for everyone.
