SUNOCO Gasoline
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Averill Park N.Y.
SUNOCO Gasoline
I've been using Sunoco 94 Octane gas but, a friend says he read in a corvette magazine that Sunoco is not a good choice. Has anybody seen this article and what brand do most of you use? Mobil would be my second choice.
:confused:
:confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Ken74Conv)
I've had issues with Sunoco (89 & 91) in my daily drivers. When I've felt like being nice to the Vette with 94, I've had no problems. Sunoco 91 set off the Check Engine light on my '95 Z28 and the wife's Volvo S40 almost every time. I stick to Mobil almost exclusively.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Scooter70)
Scooter70:
I had same prob (CHECK ENGINE light) in my ex's '97 Monte Carlo Z34 with ANY 91+ octane fuel. GM Techs told me to run REGULAR/unleaded (not 91 or higher) in it. By 'not pinging', the computer got 'fooled', & the high-octane fuel 'fouled' the plugs several times until I put in 87 octane gas. No problems after that....
In my '91 K1500 (142,000 miles), I've had no problems running 91 to tow my race car; maybe it's the OBDII being 'too' choosy'?
A fellow racer claims he saw a test that AMOCO93 made better power than SUNOCO94; he swore by it. I tried AMOCO93 instead of SUNOCO94, and saw no difference (10.3:1 355", 12.80s@105 '79 Z28). Since getting into & outta SUNOCO stations near my home is easier, I still run SUN products...
I had same prob (CHECK ENGINE light) in my ex's '97 Monte Carlo Z34 with ANY 91+ octane fuel. GM Techs told me to run REGULAR/unleaded (not 91 or higher) in it. By 'not pinging', the computer got 'fooled', & the high-octane fuel 'fouled' the plugs several times until I put in 87 octane gas. No problems after that....
In my '91 K1500 (142,000 miles), I've had no problems running 91 to tow my race car; maybe it's the OBDII being 'too' choosy'?
A fellow racer claims he saw a test that AMOCO93 made better power than SUNOCO94; he swore by it. I tried AMOCO93 instead of SUNOCO94, and saw no difference (10.3:1 355", 12.80s@105 '79 Z28). Since getting into & outta SUNOCO stations near my home is easier, I still run SUN products...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Glensgages)
Both vehicles said "Premium Only". LT1 Z28 with 11.5:1 CR and turbo 4-cylinder Volvo. I have had no problems with Mobil, so that's what everything gets. (Plus Speedpass is cool!!)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Crickett)
I've used Sunoco 94 whenever I can. I just filled the tank Thursday night & believe I bought some water with my gas @ $2 per gallon. I made it about 3 miles from the station before it completely would no longer run and had to be flat bedded home. I pulled a sparkplug Saturday morning and had spark, & with starter fluid, got the engine to fire. I put 2 bottles of dry gas in the tank on Saturday & on Sunday morning it fired right up and drove out of my garage. Now I need to get the time to take it for a stroll down the road :rolleyes: .
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Ken74Conv)
My local Mobil oil dealer (NOT a gas station but the guy who deliveres to gas stations) tells me that "gas" is ALL THE SAME!! Each "name brand" does NOT have their own refinery (like they did in the "old days") and they all pull gas out of the same tank farm. It`s the additive package that each station owner orders (and pays for) that makes the difference and that Mobil gas stations are FORCED to buy a specific package. Obviously he is promoting his product BUT my street cars all run better on Mobil. ...redvetracr
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 668
Likes: 0
From: Greensburg Pa
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Ken74Conv)
I could be wrong about this and correct me if I am. Here in western PA, Sunoco contains some methanol which means it doesn't have to have that special 'reformulation' to reduce pollution....
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (redvetracr)
My brother-in-law is the Petro Can rep for most of eastern ontario and he tells me the same thing. They share refineres with other gas stations and in turn in another part of the province they use a competitors product. The gas is all the same just the additives change.
He tells me in normal cars I should be running the premium because of it better additives and the increased price will pay for itself in better performance.
He got a memo that his company car is only to use low test? They will not pay for the additional premium on high test.
For my vette I only run sunoco, nothing else.
He tells me in normal cars I should be running the premium because of it better additives and the increased price will pay for itself in better performance.
He got a memo that his company car is only to use low test? They will not pay for the additional premium on high test.
For my vette I only run sunoco, nothing else.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Renton Wa
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (norvalwilhelm)
it's true that they all are the same gas, and yes the addatives are the only difference. I find doing a Setiment test is the best way to decide. Just fill up a cup and let it sit, look at it 24 hrs later, and see how much it settles, I found of all things "Arco" had less crap in it than Shell. "at the time at least" then I tried 76, which was the nicest looking of them all. "but this station is also the same station that sells trick racing fuel, AT THE PUMP!!.. nothing like the smell of 112.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Ken74Conv)
I "was" using Cam ll (I believe a Sunoco product) in my racer for years paying in the mid $3.00 range (drum price), when my dealer ran out I tried Torco (I had NO choice) besides being .50 a gallon cheaper the car ran just fantastic, now the Torco dealer sells something called "Power 110" a little more money but the car still runs great. I don`t believe any of the BS "they" are telling any of us about gasoline (for the street or the race track).
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: London Ontario
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Ken74Conv)
I only use Sunoco 94 in the 68 so far no problems. As far as I know no other gas stations in Ontario Canada sell gas with this high of octane. If i'm wrong please let me know its not always easy finding a Sunoco station.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,751
Likes: 2,497
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Ken74Conv)
Used to be Sunoco 240 or 260 was the best gas going. Sun Oil is a major oil company. As stated earlier gas is gas. This is the basic diffeernece. I am in Chicago and have many major gasoline distribution centers. Sit outside the gates and notice the trucks going in to the same facility. They are from the various major companies; same tanks. I am told the difference is that the independants or discount fuels are the bottom of the tank fuel. Supposedly they can draw off of the top or the bottom. Being water is heavy they sell the bottom draw to the discount companies. Sunoco, BP, Mobil, Shell, Citgo, Arco, 76, Texaco, Phillips are all majors and should have similar quality fuel. any of them can get water in the tanks at the stations. I have read that if you see the fuel truck at the station, go somewhere else. AS the fill the tank, the water mixes into the fuel and for a few hours there will be more water content. the other rule I have read is you should burn the lowest octane your car will run on properly. You are spending money needlessly otherwise. Every car is different. I have a 2001 Ford minivan can go 87, a 2000 Mustang GT which can use mid grade, and a '78 Vette which needs the best.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 0
From: Harrisonburg, VA
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (gliot1)
We only run Sunoco GT100 in the Vettes: http://www.racegas.com/gt100locals/default.asp
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: SUNOCO Gasoline (Vettastic)
My local Mobil oil dealer (NOT a gas station but the guy who deliveres to gas stations) tells me that "gas" is ALL THE SAME!! Each "name brand" does NOT have their own refinery (like they did in the "old days") and they all pull gas out of the same tank farm. It`s the additive package that each station owner orders (and pays for) that makes the difference
