gas
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 33
From: Cohasset MN
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
This topic always generates lots of responses, some heated.
In my area, 92 octane non-ethanol is available. I use it in both my C1s and my C4. I tried using the 87 with ethanol and I could notice the difference especially in the C1s in regard to idling and performance. Perhaps the 92 octane is not necessary in any of them but the absence of ethanol did make a difference in my case. I know many others on this forum experience no problems with ethanol.
In my area, 92 octane non-ethanol is available. I use it in both my C1s and my C4. I tried using the 87 with ethanol and I could notice the difference especially in the C1s in regard to idling and performance. Perhaps the 92 octane is not necessary in any of them but the absence of ethanol did make a difference in my case. I know many others on this forum experience no problems with ethanol.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,074
Likes: 1,558
From: Poway CA
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Here is California, we can't get non-ethanol gas... and 91 is the highest octane available.
I have an 11:1 LT-1.. Even with the 91 I have to pull the timing a few degrees to stop the pinging.
But I agree with previous posters.. if it's not pinging on regular, premium is a waste of money.
I have an 11:1 LT-1.. Even with the 91 I have to pull the timing a few degrees to stop the pinging.
But I agree with previous posters.. if it's not pinging on regular, premium is a waste of money.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Run the lowest octane you can without pinging. The higher the octane, the slower the burn, and the less energy. Lower octane gas burns faster and produces more energy. You will actually lose performance with higher octane than necessary. In California, where I am, the 91 octane ethanol gas barely does the job with most of my cars.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 65
From: Sugar Land tx
You can't be assured you are getting Chevron gas at a Chevron station. The majors trade out to save shipping cost. You will likely get the gas from the closest refinery at any station. I buy Exxon or Mobil since I get an employee discount.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
[QUOTE=SDVette;1590083752]Here is California, we can't get non-ethanol gas... and 91 is the highest octane available.
I have an 11:1 LT-1.. Even with the 91 I have to pull the timing a few degrees to stop the pinging.
Not to mention our wonderful summer and winter "blends".
Gary
I have an 11:1 LT-1.. Even with the 91 I have to pull the timing a few degrees to stop the pinging.
Not to mention our wonderful summer and winter "blends".
Gary
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,797
Likes: 239
From: Ocean Township NJ
Run the lowest octane you can without pinging. The higher the octane, the slower the burn, and the less energy. Lower octane gas burns faster and produces more energy. You will actually lose performance with higher octane than necessary. In California, where I am, the 91 octane ethanol gas barely does the job with most of my cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: Reno NV
Most of the local gas comes from a tank farm run...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 852
Likes: 112
From: Torrance California
I believe all gas is the same. It's the additives each manufacture puts in them somewhere along the line, I don't know exactly at what point though. By the way, Costco is top tier gas, something I just found out.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 372
From: Philadelphia PA
All comes from the same refineries and the companies just add their own mystery ingredients.
I believe all top tier means is that the gas companies paid to be on that list to put Joe Public at ease and make him sleep better at night that he's putting in "top rated" fuel into his vehicle.
For my vettes, i use Shell though...daily drivers get whatever is closest and cheapest when they need fuel...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Around here, we get gasoline from refineries in Ashland, Ky, southern Illinois and Nashville.
I wouldn't bet all three of them use the same base crude and/or have the same refining processes. Mr Tex in this thread could probably comment on whether that could/would affect the final product, not to mention the specific blends for individual regions.
I can drive a couple of miles and get a different EPA recipe on the gasoline I use.
I wouldn't bet all three of them use the same base crude and/or have the same refining processes. Mr Tex in this thread could probably comment on whether that could/would affect the final product, not to mention the specific blends for individual regions.
I can drive a couple of miles and get a different EPA recipe on the gasoline I use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,151
Likes: 481
From: "You may all go to Hell- and I will go to Texas- Davy Crockett
St. Jude Donor '12
i have a friend who used to work for Mobil in gasoline transmission pipeline, and he told me that regular and premium are two separate products as they come down the line, and that they are very conscientious in making the ‘cut’ when moving premium to make sure it is all premium, not regular, or jet fuel, or something else. He said that Mobil adds their ‘secret sauce’ once it is in the big tanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
I wantd a vette because of the looks and the power they had. When I tune my high comp engines they ALL ping on CA 91 0ctane. So lets de tune it and make it run like a station wagon! Not for me, I like the spunk and sound and the POWER produced with high octane fuel.
Not having the power it was built to have takes all the fun out of it.
Now if your car is just for looks and parades the de tune it and smile.I am lucky and have av gas available, and YES it burns slower and that is the advantage. You can advance the timing to factory specs and get the power it was designed to have.
Back in the day when they ruined gasoline and I couldn't get av gas on a long drive I installed water injection and that took the ping away. Some of my gas equipment that I rarely use has to have the carb taken apart to clean the varnish and corosion out. NO more. I store ALL with av gas and they start after years of no use.
Shelf life seems to be years. I have motorcycles with a mix that were not driven since 2008 and I will start them with a kick start and almost always on the 1st flip after priming. No more taking carbs apart for me, and I enjoy the power that engine was designed for.
Dom
Not having the power it was built to have takes all the fun out of it.
Now if your car is just for looks and parades the de tune it and smile.I am lucky and have av gas available, and YES it burns slower and that is the advantage. You can advance the timing to factory specs and get the power it was designed to have.
Back in the day when they ruined gasoline and I couldn't get av gas on a long drive I installed water injection and that took the ping away. Some of my gas equipment that I rarely use has to have the carb taken apart to clean the varnish and corosion out. NO more. I store ALL with av gas and they start after years of no use.
Shelf life seems to be years. I have motorcycles with a mix that were not driven since 2008 and I will start them with a kick start and almost always on the 1st flip after priming. No more taking carbs apart for me, and I enjoy the power that engine was designed for.
Dom
