Hi Jim!
Race Track gasoline
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,513
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From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Race Track gasoline
A guy I know told me that I shouldn't put Race Track gas in my C5 since it is a blend that is not good for high performance engines.
Now, this guy is known for talking about things he knows nothing about, so I don't really believe him, but I now have an issue. The Chevron where I usually get my gas has put in new pumps and the nozzles will pump about 2 gallons of gas and then shut off and I have to reposition the nozzle and pump another 2-3 gallons and I am sick of it. Race Track is the only station on the same side of the street and on my way, so I was going to try it - so long as the report above is BS.
Can anyone confirm/deny or just pipe in with opinions?
Now, this guy is known for talking about things he knows nothing about, so I don't really believe him, but I now have an issue. The Chevron where I usually get my gas has put in new pumps and the nozzles will pump about 2 gallons of gas and then shut off and I have to reposition the nozzle and pump another 2-3 gallons and I am sick of it. Race Track is the only station on the same side of the street and on my way, so I was going to try it - so long as the report above is BS.
Can anyone confirm/deny or just pipe in with opinions?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 700
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill Florida
No problem
Since moving to Florida ('93) I've used both Race Trac and Hess in my 1986 which now has 204,000 and as of a year ago in my '03. I've never had any problems. BUT, I use the middle grade! 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,513
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From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
I've tried, but it takes almost 4 times as long to fill up as it used to. The Chevron was my favorite gas station - it had the 3 nozzle pumps (one for each octane level) and you could just place the nozzle in the tank and use the little lever to keep the pump active, then I could walk around my car and inspect the tires and lights and so forth. Now they only have one nozzle to dispense all the octane levels and it has that accordian hose that tries to push the nozzle out of the tank and forces you to stand right there. That added to inability to pump more than 2 gallons at a time is making me want to give someone else a chance.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Spring Hill, Florida Life is all about new beginnings;...TRY ONE!
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
If you use that cheap stuff long enough, your gas gauge will crap out. The Techcron in Chevron and now Texaco gasoline keeps the sensors clean.
Trust me, I found out the hard way.
Trust me, I found out the hard way.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
I have used RaceTrack gas in virtually all my cars for the last 10 years without a single issue out of any of them.
02 Tahoe 5.2L V8 - Reg 87 octane - no problem
01 VW GTI VR6 (turbo and cam) 93 octane - no problem
05 infinity G35 93 octane - no problem
03 Honda Accord 87 octane -no problem
99 vette - 93 octane - no problem
00 vette 93 octane - no problem
Combined miles all cars - well in excess of 100k miles - no problems.
Depends I guess.
02 Tahoe 5.2L V8 - Reg 87 octane - no problem
01 VW GTI VR6 (turbo and cam) 93 octane - no problem
05 infinity G35 93 octane - no problem
03 Honda Accord 87 octane -no problem
99 vette - 93 octane - no problem
00 vette 93 octane - no problem
Combined miles all cars - well in excess of 100k miles - no problems.
Depends I guess.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
I have used RaceTrack gas in virtually all my cars for the last 10 years without a single issue out of any of them.
02 Tahoe 5.2L V8 - Reg 87 octane - no problem
01 VW GTI VR6 (turbo and cam) 93 octane - no problem
05 infinity G35 93 octane - no problem
03 Honda Accord 87 octane -no problem
99 vette - 93 octane - no problem
00 vette 93 octane - no problem
Combined miles all cars - well in excess of 100k miles - no problems.
Depends I guess.
02 Tahoe 5.2L V8 - Reg 87 octane - no problem
01 VW GTI VR6 (turbo and cam) 93 octane - no problem
05 infinity G35 93 octane - no problem
03 Honda Accord 87 octane -no problem
99 vette - 93 octane - no problem
00 vette 93 octane - no problem
Combined miles all cars - well in excess of 100k miles - no problems.
Depends I guess.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
The issue is not Octane, it is the sulphur content that fouls the fuel sensors. If anyone doubts this, search the Tech folder (and probably the general one as well) for "fuel gauge." I have read probably a hundred messages from C5 owners who have had fuel gauge problems caused by not using a quality gasoline with detergent. I have also heard it is not a problem exclusive to Corvette, that some other high end vehicles are prone to have this problem when high sulphur fuel is used. It really come down to "pay me now or pay me later."
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Who knows, I just know that the recommended brands that contain detergent additives (like techcron) should not foul the sensors. Race Trac may be fine, if it is worth a few cents risk, go for it. If the fuel gauge begins to foul, the gas gauge will go to empty at inappropriate times. Sometimes this can be fixed by adding a bottle of techcron or seafoam to a couple of tanks of gas. If the fuel gauge goes out completely, the fuel tanks must be dropped to change the sensors. I use the cheap stuff in my blazer and my C4, but not in my C5.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
High volume stations would make more sense too, except that average 'joe' customer would have no idea of the usage of the premium grade fuel. Meaning if the mid grade is the highest use, the premium may be the lowest and thus most contaminated from moisture in the air and tank.
Here's one I always wondered about; those pumps with the single hose one has to wonder where exactly is the valve that is routing which fuel grade to the hose? And how much fuel is maintained in the hose and assorted fittings/lines from the previous user? Heck you could select and pay for premium but I wonder if the first gallon is not another grade or best a blend of the previous use.
BTW Mobil and BP (Amoco) premium, Mobil being first choice.
Here's one I always wondered about; those pumps with the single hose one has to wonder where exactly is the valve that is routing which fuel grade to the hose? And how much fuel is maintained in the hose and assorted fittings/lines from the previous user? Heck you could select and pay for premium but I wonder if the first gallon is not another grade or best a blend of the previous use.
BTW Mobil and BP (Amoco) premium, Mobil being first choice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Here are some sample threads
About fuel gauge issues. There are many more if you take time to search...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=fuel+gauge
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=fuel+gauge
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=fuel+gauge
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=fuel+gauge
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
That comes out to .0023% that "may" be related.
I choose the "pay me later" option and save at least 15 cents a gallon!
BTW.. The EPA bans the use of Lead in all auto fuels.
From January 1, 1996, the Clean Air Act banned the sale of leaded fuel for use in on-road vehicles. Possession and use of leaded gasoline in a regular on-road vehicle now carries a maximum $10,000 fine in the United States Source: EPA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,706
Likes: 552
From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
There hasn't been lead in consumer gas for years. There are many octane boost additives that do not contain lead. If they do they are labled "Off Road Use Only".