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Mixing Different Octanes...

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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 03:44 PM
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Default Mixing Different Octanes...

Does anyone know the formula to figure out what total octane you will get when mixing certain amounts of one octane fuel with another?

Say I mix 5 gallons of 110octane with 10 gallons of 94 octane, what would the octane rating of the mixture be?

Would it be (94 * 2/3) + (110 * 1/3) ??

Is there a chart anywhere on the net for this type of thing?

Thanks in advance!
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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 03:51 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (MattG)


99.33 octaine
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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 04:07 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (LG Motorsports)

Thanks Lou...

So I take it my (2/3 * 94) + (1/3 * 110) equation was correct...

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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 04:08 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (MattG)

Here's one for 91 Octane


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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 05:12 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (Flyin'Brian)

Those formulas only work with mixing two different unleaded fuels. Since 110 octane normally has tetrethyl lead in it , your octane will be much higher. It was explained to me by a petroleum engineer, that free molecules of the lead will raise the octane of the unleaded without degrading the octane of the leaded fuel. I saw the actually results that were done on the octane engine at the lab at the Arco refinery in Houston.This was done a number of years ago before 87 octane leaded regular was phased out.
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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 05:40 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (lost)

Its unleaded 110
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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 08:26 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (MattG)

Yes Matt, You get the extra credit.

It is just like figuring your average in High school. You got 2 tests at 94 and then 110 on another. (must have been that extra credit).;)
So 94+94+110=298 divided by 3=99.3 It must have been a test on ratios.

LG
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Old Oct 7, 2002 | 08:28 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (LG Motorsports)

Thanks for the clarification Lou! Math never was my strong point! :D

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Old Oct 8, 2002 | 07:52 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (MattG)

How bad would it be on the O2 if one mixed 13 gallons 91 with 3 gallons of 110 unleaded? I know lead fuel can gum up the sensors, but how long woul dthey last with this combo? TIA.

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Old Oct 9, 2002 | 06:53 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (kromberg)

I've only tried that once, and don't recall a problem with the O2 sensors, but the lead plugged up the cats in short order. Created so much back pressure that the cats were vibrating against the floor boards.There is no doubt that 91 is costing you a bit of power, but if I couldn't find 100 unleaded, I wouldn't mess with it.
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Old Oct 9, 2002 | 07:32 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (MattG)

Another way to calculate it with 5 gals of 110 and 10 gals of 94:

(5 gals/5+10 gals) x (110 octane – 94 octane) + 94 octane = 99.3333333

If you had 10 gals of 110 and 5 gals of 94:

(10 gals/5+10 gals) x (110 octane – 94 octane) + 94 = 104.66666

There’s a formula in there someplace ;)
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 01:29 AM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (MattG)

the correct method is:

[(5 x 110) + (10 x 94)]/(5 + 10) =

(550 + 940)/15 =

99.3
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 10:04 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (TeamZ06)


Lets see, 10 gal/5gal= 2/1 Looks the same to me.

As you can see, I reduced the gallons to a 2 to 1 ratio to simplify.

Now, if you had 9.27 gal of 94, and 4.89 gal of 110, there is no easy ratio, so it makes sense to do it longhand.

And the answer is?????

(all homework must be in writing, and on official Corvette Forum letterhead. All those in noncompliance will be scored accordingly.)

LG :D
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 10:06 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (LG Motorsports)

Lou, I wish we had 94 here!! :cry :bs

vetterdstr :cheers:
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 10:14 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (vetterdstr)

Lou, I wish we had 94 here!! :cry :bs

vetterdstr :cheers:
No kidding, I just put 8 gallons of 100 octane in last night and almost broke the bank :nopity
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 10:48 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (RCswish)

I have been mixing 100 octane unleaded with 91 unleaded for a while. It makes a huge difference in performance. However, I have to drive to south San Jose to get it. Does anyone in the S.F. bay area know of any other sources for the 100 octane unleaded on the peninsula???
Thanks,
Mark
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 11:01 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (hot1corvette1)

What I use is this 30 gal. Fuel Tank. I fill up this tank with 100 and take it home. This way I can add it to the car as needed without having to drive to the station everytime I need the 100. It come in very handy for the track too.



vetterdstr :cheers:


[Modified by vetterdstr, 7:03 PM 10/10/2002]
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 11:06 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (MattG)

I guess we are both fortunate and unfortunate here in the south. We have 93 octane as our super, which is good. But I'd LOVE to have 100 octane UNLEADED available for mixing.

What's it cost?

We do have several stations with 99 (I think, it may be higher) Octane LEADED gas, but that does me no good.

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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 11:07 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (vetterdstr)

I love that tank! Only problem: I don't have a vehicle that I could use to transport that around, especially when it is full. But, it would certainly solve the problem. I only use about 3 or 4 gallons of the 100 unleaded per tank and that would last a long time. Where did you get it??

Mark
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Old Oct 10, 2002 | 11:11 PM
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Default Re: Mixing Different Octanes... (Tom Steele)

Tom,

The 100 unleaded costs about $4.10 per gallon. Pretty steep, but I only add 3 or 4 gallons per fill. So it raises the average cost per gallon to about $2.25.
Still steep, but it makes the car run like it is supposed to.

I have never tried mixing in more than 3 or 4 gallons. I wonder what would happen if I ran a tank of straight 100 unleaded???? Sounds like an interesting experiment as long as it doesn't blow up something.
Mark
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