Petro-Can Ultra 94 gasoline
02-28-2013, 11:48 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Petro-Can Ultra 94 gasoline
http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/independent/2069.aspx
While ethanol is not good for fuel economy...
Discuss, is this benefit to our small block V8's ?
Why is ethanol an effective octane booster?
The octane number written on the gas pump is Anti-Knock Index (AKI). It’s an average of two octane ratings using the same test equipment but using different operating conditions. The methods produce a Research Octane number (RON) and a Motor Octane Number (MON). Both were once considered important and that’s why AKI is an average of the two. With modern engines and fuels systems, recent studies have shown that RON is more important than MON. So in these cars, the higher the RON the better these cars perform. For an AKI rating of 91 the lower the MON the higher the RON. This difference is called sensitivity. All gasoline components have different sensitivity. Most hydrocarbon components have low sensitivity. Ethanol has high sensitivity and so, modern performance cars benefit from gasolines with ethanol. Why does ethanol have higher sensitivity? One reason is related to the cooler combustion that results from ethanol combustion. Higher knock tendency is directly related to higher combustion temperature.
Here is a comparison of two fuels with different octane with and without ethanol.
91 Grade - no ethanol
RON 97.2
MON 85.6
Ultra 94 - with ethanol
RON 101.5
MON 88
Notice the difference in RON number from 91 grade without ethanol (97.2) and the RON of Ultra 94 (101.5). The difference is 4.3 numbers. That is significantly more than the 3 numbers difference between 94 and 91 AKI labelled on the pump. That is why gasoline with ethanol can be the best performance fuel for today's cars.
The octane number written on the gas pump is Anti-Knock Index (AKI). It’s an average of two octane ratings using the same test equipment but using different operating conditions. The methods produce a Research Octane number (RON) and a Motor Octane Number (MON). Both were once considered important and that’s why AKI is an average of the two. With modern engines and fuels systems, recent studies have shown that RON is more important than MON. So in these cars, the higher the RON the better these cars perform. For an AKI rating of 91 the lower the MON the higher the RON. This difference is called sensitivity. All gasoline components have different sensitivity. Most hydrocarbon components have low sensitivity. Ethanol has high sensitivity and so, modern performance cars benefit from gasolines with ethanol. Why does ethanol have higher sensitivity? One reason is related to the cooler combustion that results from ethanol combustion. Higher knock tendency is directly related to higher combustion temperature.
Here is a comparison of two fuels with different octane with and without ethanol.
91 Grade - no ethanol
RON 97.2
MON 85.6
Ultra 94 - with ethanol
RON 101.5
MON 88
Notice the difference in RON number from 91 grade without ethanol (97.2) and the RON of Ultra 94 (101.5). The difference is 4.3 numbers. That is significantly more than the 3 numbers difference between 94 and 91 AKI labelled on the pump. That is why gasoline with ethanol can be the best performance fuel for today's cars.
Discuss, is this benefit to our small block V8's ?
Last edited by Mike Jung; 02-28-2013 at 11:56 AM.
02-28-2013, 12:09 PM
#2
http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/independent/2069.aspx
While ethanol is not good for fuel economy...
Discuss, is this benefit to our small block V8's ?
While ethanol is not good for fuel economy...
Discuss, is this benefit to our small block V8's ?
First you need to define what you call a small block, as it is probably not what a small block is to a lot of people.
I won't use anything that is known to harm fuel system components
Very simple answer : Ultra 94 contains ETHANOL - therefore I DON'T USE IT.
Last edited by QIK59; 02-28-2013 at 12:25 PM.
02-28-2013, 12:18 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I generally don't either...since I usually use Costco 91-octane premium gasoline (that has no ethanol); since they opened up around the corner from me.
But I did notice on a road trip to Norwalk, OH...that BP 93-octane gasoline with ethanol my car ran better.
Felt a little bit different/better, & had a slightly higher mpg calculation.
When it was 40°C/104°F air temperature outside with about 80% humidity
But I did notice on a road trip to Norwalk, OH...that BP 93-octane gasoline with ethanol my car ran better.
Felt a little bit different/better, & had a slightly higher mpg calculation.
When it was 40°C/104°F air temperature outside with about 80% humidity
Last edited by Mike Jung; 03-10-2013 at 10:23 AM.
02-28-2013, 12:30 PM
#4
I generally don't either...since I usually use Costco 91-octane premium gasoline (that has no ethanol); since they opened up around the corner from me.
But I did notice on a road trip to Norwalk, OH...that BP 93-octane gasoline with ethanol my car ran better.
Felt a little bit different/better, & had a slightly higher mpg calculation.
But I did notice on a road trip to Norwalk, OH...that BP 93-octane gasoline with ethanol my car ran better.
Felt a little bit different/better, & had a slightly higher mpg calculation.
Hell I "own" the Shell station at Hwy 9 and Airport LOL
02-28-2013, 12:42 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
02-28-2013, 02:12 PM
#7
Drifting
I honestly wish I knew what to believe and what gas to actually use. I've used Shell V Power in my Corvette this past season since it seemed to be the prefered choice, but now I'm not so sure based on my recent dyno tuning fiasco. It sure didn't seem to be 91 as advertised in there. Is it common practise for the gas companies to but in a "winter blend" fuel for fall and winter?
Might go back to Ultra 94 this season.
Might go back to Ultra 94 this season.
02-28-2013, 02:15 PM
#8
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment...PROD_077606#G5
Frequently Asked Questions: Ethanol-Blended Gasoline
Frequently Asked Questions: Ethanol-Blended Gasoline
02-28-2013, 03:04 PM
#9
I honestly wish I knew what to believe and what gas to actually use. I've used Shell V Power in my Corvette this past season since it seemed to be the prefered choice, but now I'm not so sure based on my recent dyno tuning fiasco. It sure didn't seem to be 91 as advertised in there. Is it common practise for the gas companies to but in a "winter blend" fuel for fall and winter?
Might go back to Ultra 94 this season.
Might go back to Ultra 94 this season.
Sometimes they (you) get caught - surprise hot snap and winter formulation gasoline.
Yeah If you are pushing the envelope running on the ragged edge then you may or will run into problems.
Being older I don't look to push things or take on too many challenges anymore.
In the past racing used to be my biggest focus (besides sex).
But I'm tired of breaking things and having to fix them - and I really only broke axles and rear ends.
Sex is much easier LOL
Now simply driving a good running car with the least amount of hassle is more important.
Hell I have a car that is 6 years old that I've never changed spark plugs in and don't want to discover that I may break one with all the attendant problems fixing it - think I'll trade it in as that's much easier to do.
My daily driver is my '82 Malibu wagon - now that's easy to maintain LOL
02-28-2013, 06:22 PM
#11
Drifting
Interesting
http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/independent/2069.aspx
While ethanol is not good for fuel economy...
Discuss, is this benefit to our small block V8's ?
While ethanol is not good for fuel economy...
Discuss, is this benefit to our small block V8's ?
02-28-2013, 06:52 PM
#13
Actually earlier today because of my registration with the SEMA SAN Action Notification system, I was notified that there has been a bill introduced in the US HOUSE of Representatives preventing the sale of gasoline containing 15% until a scientific evaluation has been done on it's effects on vehicles.
The US EPA already has made E15 illegal for use in pre 2001 vehicles.
The US EPA already has made E15 illegal for use in pre 2001 vehicles.
03-10-2013, 07:58 AM
#19
Instructor
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
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My tuner said zero knock retard on the dyno adding an additional 2 deg timing from stock Using the Shell V Power 91. The cars computer can compensate and has high and low octain tables or potocol it follows. If the engine experiences spark knock or detonation passed a pre determined or set level the computer will put the engine into low octain mode and you may notice a small power loss for the engine is being protected from damage and backing off the timing. Each time you fill the tank the the computer reverts back to high octain tables. I dont have the ultra 94 available account only in select cities but would use it and dyno the car with it to see how the ls7 performs with the fuel.