100 octane on race day?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
100 octane on race day?
My car is tuned very well and it runs just fine on Sonoco 94 and thats all ive ever used at the drag strip. I can get some 100 octane nearby for racing this comming Sun. Without changing anything else do you think its worth my time and money to get some 100? What might I gain?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 544
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From: La Jolla California
Re: 100 octane on race day? (Jvette73)
Are you currently experiencing detonation issues at full timing? If not and you don't plan on advancing your timing, there is no reason to run higher octane fuel. Doing so may actually hurt your performance.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: 100 octane on race day? (Langadorf)
Are you currently experiencing detonation issues at full timing? If not and you don't plan on advancing your timing, there is no reason to run higher octane fuel. Doing so may actually hurt your performance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: 100 octane on race day? (Jvette73)
:rolleyes: That’s really a tough question and I can't find much information on best octane for a particular c.r.. An engine builder/tuner told me he uses only high-octane premium even on low c.r. mills that will run without premium. He said that the timing advance is to short/low with regular gas – due to faster burn. But who cares where total timing ends up as long as you prevent detonation?
Now the only theory I know of here is that high octane stuff has additives to slow the combustion burn enough to prevent detonation. But the faster the burn the more the power is produced for the same amount of combustion/fuel. Just as long as harmful detonation is prevented (more likely at low rpm) the faster the burn the better – i.e. a case for lower octane rating when possible.
Now the only theory I know of here is that high octane stuff has additives to slow the combustion burn enough to prevent detonation. But the faster the burn the more the power is produced for the same amount of combustion/fuel. Just as long as harmful detonation is prevented (more likely at low rpm) the faster the burn the better – i.e. a case for lower octane rating when possible.
