Took my 2007 GS450h to the 1/4 mile track
#16
Nope. No wheel spacers.
Hey that's great! And just like you mention, keeping the battery charged was hard. I would get 4 or 5 bars when I lined up behind other people, but by the time I was on the strip I was down to 2-3 bars. I'll have to go again when there's less people and I can keep a better charge.
It prob won't be until March 2014 because that's when they start up their test and tune nights again.
Very well done, nice to see you broke into the 13s..here is my experience at the drag strip in my GS 450h.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...with-pics.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...with-pics.html
It prob won't be until March 2014 because that's when they start up their test and tune nights again.
#18
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
You do not have some super high compression or forced induction engine. All a higher octane gas does is make it more stable (no pre-detonation) at high pressures. Your engine is made for the street and does not produce any of these extreme pressures that warrant race fuel.
The benefit in race fuel is the added oxygen levels. Its kinda like what nitrous does by adding Oxygen.
Of course youll benefit from the race fuel! How much, I do not know? Thats why its best to test and find out.
#19
Not being a techie, I'll explain it as I understand it.
Our engines are tuned to perform with a certain kind of fuel. Since our cars are meant to be driven on the street, they are tuned to perform with commonly available fuel. In the case of my GS350 (I can't speak to the GS450h or GS430, but assume they're the same), the manual states unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 91, and, in a pinch, 87.
Increasing cylinder pressure (enough) would require a higher octane fuel (like 'race' fuel). How do you get an increase in cylinder pressure?
* forced induction (supercharger, turbocharger)
* nitrous oxide injection
* increased compression ratio (domed pistons or shaving/milling the heads)
* to a lesser degree, advanced timing
Thus, if you don't have any of the above, there is no need for, and no benefit from, higher octane rated race fuel.
Our engines are tuned to perform with a certain kind of fuel. Since our cars are meant to be driven on the street, they are tuned to perform with commonly available fuel. In the case of my GS350 (I can't speak to the GS450h or GS430, but assume they're the same), the manual states unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 91, and, in a pinch, 87.
Increasing cylinder pressure (enough) would require a higher octane fuel (like 'race' fuel). How do you get an increase in cylinder pressure?
* forced induction (supercharger, turbocharger)
* nitrous oxide injection
* increased compression ratio (domed pistons or shaving/milling the heads)
* to a lesser degree, advanced timing
Thus, if you don't have any of the above, there is no need for, and no benefit from, higher octane rated race fuel.
#20
so if I put 93 octane in a corolla will it perform better? The answer is NO.
#21
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Putting race fuel or a fuel that is better suited for his car WILL give him more power then that E85 pump gas.
In the past, I have run race fuel plenty of times leaving the track in my tow vehicle and I would feel the difference in power.
It will not give him 30+hp, 5-7hp possibly and in racing every little thing counts. Experimenting and dialing in your car is how you become fast.
#22
Agreed....but, we may be disagreeing on which fuel is "better suited." I think pump gas is best suited for a GS450h and don't believe any type of race gas will be an improvement.
#23
...another old tip that I'm not sure applies anymore, but might with the CVT:
Leave when you see the last yellow light on the timing tree.
Edit: Another couple of ideas or two:
1) Go back on a cooler day. The denser air might be enough for you to squeak into the 13.8's.
2) Practice. It's hard to miss a shift on a CVT :P but practice will help you figure out what works best with your combo.
3) If you have a pal with the OE wheels and OE-size tires, see if you can swap 'em for a track night.
With your trap speed of 104mph, there could be room for a couple of tenths improvement...
Leave when you see the last yellow light on the timing tree.
Edit: Another couple of ideas or two:
1) Go back on a cooler day. The denser air might be enough for you to squeak into the 13.8's.
2) Practice. It's hard to miss a shift on a CVT :P but practice will help you figure out what works best with your combo.
3) If you have a pal with the OE wheels and OE-size tires, see if you can swap 'em for a track night.
With your trap speed of 104mph, there could be room for a couple of tenths improvement...
Last edited by SoFlaGS350; 11-12-13 at 08:39 PM.
#29
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Race gas will make your car slower. Why? Because it burns slower. That's why it doesn't detonate as easily as lower octane gas. In fact the lower octane your engine can tolerate the faster it will go. I proved this with my RX7 which is designed for 96 octane.
I installed water injection which lets you run low octane at the same boost. I got a (measured) 4% increase in torque on 91 octane compared to 96 octane under identical conditions.
If you want to get more go from race fuel you need to re-tune it with things like higher compression, more boost, advanced timing, etc.
Beware that running too low an octane will cause detonation which can break spark plugs, piston rings and even punch holes in the pistons if extreme!
I installed water injection which lets you run low octane at the same boost. I got a (measured) 4% increase in torque on 91 octane compared to 96 octane under identical conditions.
If you want to get more go from race fuel you need to re-tune it with things like higher compression, more boost, advanced timing, etc.
Beware that running too low an octane will cause detonation which can break spark plugs, piston rings and even punch holes in the pistons if extreme!