- This topic has 31 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 1 month ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Higher is “better” only if you need it.
Octane numbers are a measure of a fuel’s ability to resist preignition and detonation, which we hear as pinging. When the fuel ignites prematurely, it’s pushing down on the piston BEFORE the piston has gotten high enough in the cylinder. When the fuel detonates, it explodes like a bomb, rather than burning smoothly. Both stress out the engine and cause damage. You get more heat too, which tends to lead to more pinging.
A half dozen “pings” as you crest the top of a steep hill in 4th will not bother much of anything. But do this for more than a couple minutes straight and you’ll melt pistons.
The higher the octane rating, the less likely the fuel is to detonate or preignite.
Burning a higher octane fuel than is needed to keep your engine from pinging does not give you more power or better mileage, though. Just causes you to spend more money.
I use 87 with alcohol in Bridget and she runs fine. My car’s engine appears to be very stock-ish, with no go-fast modifications. If I had high-compression pistons, an Engle 110 cam, etc., I’d listen closely to her when lugging up hills and start moving up the octane range if I heard any pinging.
Thx Ed That answered my question ..I appreciate this.- hope to catchup with you in a few..
jebarry2012-09-24 12:01:03
Ok after reading every thing on here and every thing else i could find ,it appears that every one is saying higher octane and no corn juice if possible.
using a higher octane gas than is needed , only waste money. If an engine is designed for 87 octane, using 93 octane does not improve the engine’s performance. It will not hurt the engine either. The corn juice is a different story. Corn juice is not good for older motor’s that have a carburator. I don’t see it as being good for any car. It increases water to the gas tank. Ethanol gas should be treated with a stabilizer, especially before winter storage. Treated gas should be run into your carburator before storing. Also increases the life (freshness) of the gas.
thx Richard-.. I use the pure gas, 93 octane for convenience coz the station is only down the block from my home -while the other station is about 8 miles away that has 87 Octane .
Today my wife and i went out for a drive,Stoped at filling station filled it up with no corn juice gas.When i went in to pay i asked if they intended to always have real gas to which they said yes we will not switch. I was wondering .Will they have a choice? I put 93 octane in and was on my way.The car purred like a kitten .Nex time i will put lower octane real gas in.Coming home i go up a 2 mile low grade hill no pinging just power, beatiful day 65 degrees leaves are turning to fall colors.Live is good!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.