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Octane Really Does Help

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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 03:39 PM
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Default Octane Really Does Help

I just filled up with 99 Octane this week. Normal octane over here is 95 and that equates to about 91 in the US. the Super is about 98 octane or 93 US. 99 is about 94 US octane.

I have to say that despite all the discussion over the last year I really noticed big difference in peformance. The pick up on acceleration was marked and the Vette really seemed way more responsive, even though it was raining as usual. I really enjoyed the drive home. Music up loud and I think I hit 70 at least twice on the journey.

aside. How many of you get the chance to compare low octane and high octane gas regualrly? In Vegas I was stuck with 91 which is the same as regular gas over here. But a bit of spirited driving and I think I may be back to that gas station again.
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 03:42 PM
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...that poor
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by hotwheels57
...that poor
You cant fool me. You cant get 93 in AZ

I lived in Vegas and the Rocking Horse only produces 91

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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 03:50 PM
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91 octane at 5,200 ft is as good as 93 octane...
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by hotwheels57
91 octane at 5,200 ft is as good as 93 octane...
Maybe thats it. I'm at 6 feet above sea level. Should have driven more up Mt Charleston
Come to think of it, the Vert was always sluggish in Death Valley
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 07:49 PM
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All we have around here is 91 octane. Would like to see what a 93 octane would do for the car.
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee

I have to say that despite all the discussion over the last year I really noticed big difference in peformance. The pick up on acceleration was marked and the Vette really seemed way more responsive, even though it was raining as usual.
But there's no "discussion" about it; octane is not a booster; it's an inhibitor. if increasing octane made your car run better, then it was pinging in the first place (and it may have soooo slight a ping that your ears didn't hear it); and timing advance was being pulled. By slowing down the flash point, your ping was eliminated,

I'm glad that the increased amount of combustion inhibitor helped your Corvette run better.

As long as you know the technical reasons why increased octane may help, then you are in-the-know and that's all that matters.
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
But there's no "discussion" about it; octane is not a booster; it's an inhibitor. if increasing octane made your car run better, then it was pinging in the first place (and it may have soooo slight a ping that your ears didn't hear it); and timing advance was being pulled. By slowing down the flash point, your ping was eliminated,

I'm glad that the increased amount of combustion inhibitor helped your Corvette run better.

As long as you know the technical reasons why increased octane may help, then you are in-the-know and that's all that matters.
I like to look at it this way: octane "gives" you nothing. It merely ensures you don't lose what you already have.
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
I like to look at it this way: octane "gives" you nothing. It merely ensures you don't lose what you already have.
I never heard it put that way, but I like your analogy.
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
I like to look at it this way: octane "gives" you nothing. It merely ensures you don't lose what you already have.
oh man you sound like me! scary!!!!!
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Old Dec 8, 2007 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
But there's no "discussion" about it; octane is not a booster; it's an inhibitor. if increasing octane made your car run better, then it was pinging in the first place (and it may have soooo slight a ping that your ears didn't hear it); and timing advance was being pulled. By slowing down the flash point, your ping was eliminated,

I'm glad that the increased amount of combustion inhibitor helped your Corvette run better.

As long as you know the technical reasons why increased octane may help, then you are in-the-know and that's all that matters.
Tim, like you I've been around long enough to have read the thousand octane threads. I had to use 91 in Vegas and regular gas here is the same octane. I never hear any evidence of pinging but after 20+ years in the cockpit I'm high tone deaf anyway.

I agree totally and theres no doubt that the ignition has been retarded without my even knowing. Makes you wonder how bad it is for the guys who can hear the pinging. Good point, well made.

Mabe some sea foam would be agood idea - if I can find any in England

Last edited by DeeGee; Dec 8, 2007 at 02:49 AM.
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Old Dec 8, 2007 | 09:03 AM
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We can get 94 octane here at a few stations, and I noticed the car runs better than with 91. A few tanks of 91, and I can hear a little pinging under hard accelleration, a tank of 94 clears it up.....
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Old Dec 8, 2007 | 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
I like to look at it this way: octane "gives" you nothing. It merely ensures you don't lose what you already have.
ding... ding... ding; we have a winner !!!
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