Finding 93 Octane
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Tempe Arizona
Finding 93 Octane
How would one go about finding stations that have 93 octane fule? I live in the phoenix area and have not seen one!
By the way can you see any difference between 91 and 93?
By the way can you see any difference between 91 and 93?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
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From: Tempe Arizona
By The way - for the record
The octane rating of gasoline tells you how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites. When gas ignites by compression rather than because of the spark from the spark plug, it causes knocking in the engine. Knocking can damage an engine, so it is not something you want to have happening. Lower-octane gas (like "regular" 87-octane gasoline) can handle the least amount of compression before igniting.
The compression ratio of your engine determines the octane rating of the gas you must use in the car. One way to increase the horsepower of an engine of a given displacement is to increase its compression ratio. So a "high-performance engine" has a higher compression ratio and requires higher-octane fuel. The advantage of a high compression ratio is that it gives your engine a higher horsepower rating for a given engine weight -- that is what makes the engine "high performance." The disadvantage is that the gasoline for your engine costs more.
The compression ratio of your engine determines the octane rating of the gas you must use in the car. One way to increase the horsepower of an engine of a given displacement is to increase its compression ratio. So a "high-performance engine" has a higher compression ratio and requires higher-octane fuel. The advantage of a high compression ratio is that it gives your engine a higher horsepower rating for a given engine weight -- that is what makes the engine "high performance." The disadvantage is that the gasoline for your engine costs more.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Carlsbad Ca
Originally Posted by rwebcon
How would one go about finding stations that have 93 octane fule?
By the way can you see any difference between 91 and 93?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,300
Likes: 957
From: Carlsbad Ca
Originally Posted by rwebcon
The octane rating of gasoline tells you how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites. When gas ignites by compression rather than because of the spark from the spark plug, it causes knocking in the engine. Knocking can damage an engine, so it is not something you want to have happening. Lower-octane gas (like "regular" 87-octane gasoline) can handle the least amount of compression before igniting.
The compression ratio of your engine determines the octane rating of the gas you must use in the car. One way to increase the horsepower of an engine of a given displacement is to increase its compression ratio. So a "high-performance engine" has a higher compression ratio and requires higher-octane fuel. The advantage of a high compression ratio is that it gives your engine a higher horsepower rating for a given engine weight -- that is what makes the engine "high performance." The disadvantage is that the gasoline for your engine costs more.
The compression ratio of your engine determines the octane rating of the gas you must use in the car. One way to increase the horsepower of an engine of a given displacement is to increase its compression ratio. So a "high-performance engine" has a higher compression ratio and requires higher-octane fuel. The advantage of a high compression ratio is that it gives your engine a higher horsepower rating for a given engine weight -- that is what makes the engine "high performance." The disadvantage is that the gasoline for your engine costs more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
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From: Southwest Florida
All 93 here in Maryland. I've never even seen 91. That brings up a question. I've always wondered what's with the few states that only offer 91? I can't imagine that they ship "special" fuel only to those states and they ship "better" fuel to everyone else. Seems like some sort of scam, but I can't figure out quite what! Do they just take 93 octane and pee in it? 
Mike
Mike
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Canyon TEXAS
I have had a similar experience where I live. The highest octane I can find locally is 90. On a few occasions I have seen a 91 marking, however I tend to believe it is mismarked because a dozen other (same brand) stations within a mile are so will be marked 90. Anyone know what to make of this? When I leave my area and especially when I go north and east the octane goes up. We "grow" gasoline around here, why do we send all the good stuff up to the northeast?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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I lived through the demise of leaded premium and what a disaster that was for performance cars of the time!
My prediction is that octane will continue to drop. More gasoline can be made from the same amount of oil at a lower octane. International and market pressures will drive octane numbers even lower.
GM is marketing a car, the Z06, for which the recommended fuel is not even available in half the country. lol
At least in the old days the manufacturers stopped making cars that needed leaded premium before it went away...and it went away FAST.
The engines of the C6 and Z06 IMO have compression ratios that are too high even with computer knock sensors and the ability to adjust on the fly.
It will not get better only worse. Use lower octane in these engines and you get lower hp and knock.
The comp ratio of vette engines needs to drop to the 8.5 to 9.5 range and soon. Perhaps with the LS3 this will finally happen. They cannot, IMO, sustain comp ratios in the 11 range.
just my opinions.
someday 91 octane is going to seem like very high performance juice.
My prediction is that octane will continue to drop. More gasoline can be made from the same amount of oil at a lower octane. International and market pressures will drive octane numbers even lower.
GM is marketing a car, the Z06, for which the recommended fuel is not even available in half the country. lol
At least in the old days the manufacturers stopped making cars that needed leaded premium before it went away...and it went away FAST.
The engines of the C6 and Z06 IMO have compression ratios that are too high even with computer knock sensors and the ability to adjust on the fly.
It will not get better only worse. Use lower octane in these engines and you get lower hp and knock.
The comp ratio of vette engines needs to drop to the 8.5 to 9.5 range and soon. Perhaps with the LS3 this will finally happen. They cannot, IMO, sustain comp ratios in the 11 range.
just my opinions.
someday 91 octane is going to seem like very high performance juice.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Objects in your mirror are losing , Long Island, NY
St. Jude Donor '08
We have 87,89,91,92,93,94,100,111 all within a 10 mile radius from me, at most local gas stations. Oh, btw I live In Long Island, NY..
Racer
Joined: May 2006
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From: Watsonville California
Originally Posted by mikeyc6
All 93 here in Maryland. I've never even seen 91. That brings up a question. I've always wondered what's with the few states that only offer 91? I can't imagine that they ship "special" fuel only to those states and they ship "better" fuel to everyone else. Seems like some sort of scam, but I can't figure out quite what! Do they just take 93 octane and pee in it?
Mike
Mike
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 302
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From: Watsonville California
Originally Posted by rwebcon
How would one go about finding stations that have 93 octane fule? I live in the phoenix area and have not seen one!
By the way can you see any difference between 91 and 93?
By the way can you see any difference between 91 and 93?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 1
From: Santee California
Originally Posted by IwntmyZTV
I think everything arrives the same at 87, then an additive is added to boost octane in the higher octane "mid" & "premium" fuels.
Navigator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
[QUOTE=rwebcon]How would one go about finding stations that have 93 octane fule? I live in the phoenix area and have not seen one!
There is an Amoco station on the SW corner of Lincoln Drive and Scottsdale Road that sells higher octane (94+). If my memory serves me correctly, it is a full service station (they pump it for you) and pretty much charge you out the a$$. As far as I know, that is the only place to get over 91 octane in town however, so you'll have to pay up.
There is an Amoco station on the SW corner of Lincoln Drive and Scottsdale Road that sells higher octane (94+). If my memory serves me correctly, it is a full service station (they pump it for you) and pretty much charge you out the a$$. As far as I know, that is the only place to get over 91 octane in town however, so you'll have to pay up.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by 70454
Sunoco has discontinued the Ultra 94 and now call the 93 "Ultra".
Some scattered Sunoco stations still offer 100+ "race fuel".
Some scattered Sunoco stations still offer 100+ "race fuel".
With my dyno tune, I need every last bit of the 94 octane, it already pings a tiny bit at part throttle with 94!
