the gasoline thread
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I use Arco gas, which is a subsidiary of BP, but I have no idea how good their detergent is. They claim the fuel cleans the system well. Arco is consistently 10-15 cents cheaper than Shell, but that's mainly because they don't take credit cards.
So I have to assume Arco gas is about as good as Shell's.
So I have to assume Arco gas is about as good as Shell's.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 98
From: ca
Yeah. 
This has been a constant discussion since I enjoy older cars namely the '80 Celica which I entertain driving again. As each year passes this is becoming less and less likely.
This has been a constant discussion since I enjoy older cars namely the '80 Celica which I entertain driving again. As each year passes this is becoming less and less likely.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 98
From: ca
It can still happen, with a complete new fuel system. And the other nice thing all this does is reduce fuel mileage, since there is a power drop from less heat value from the fuel. Or you can enrich the mixture for the power but then more fuel goes bye bye.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
I dont know why they moved this one but I use E85 in my LS400... you dont need a whole fuel system unless you dont drive very often. I did A TON of research about it and there is no reason to change out the lines and injectors for anything labelled E85. I have bigger injectors and stuff for regular gas and my car has had no issue with E85 for a few months now. Friend of mine in france says in France they run E85 in stock cars all the time. He has been putting E85 in his for 50k miles and before in his Chevy Aveo for 200,000 miles with no problems. And his dad does it and has for many years. If you would like I can get you some links that tell you changing everything out is just lies from big oil so they dont lose money and they make it sound harder so you wont do it.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
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If you would like I can get you some links that tell you changing everything out is just lies from big oil so they dont lose money and they make it sound harder so you wont do it.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
A group called Smarter Fuel Mandates is currently running a series of TV ads trying to convince people that requiring more ethanol in gas will add to environmental damage by tearing up more virgin grasslands to plant corn to make the ethanol. Never mind the fact that ethanol can be (and sometimes is) distilled from a number of other substances as well.
GM and Chrysler foresaw this requirement coming some ago...that's why they make so many E85-capable engines. My own car has one.
GM and Chrysler foresaw this requirement coming some ago...that's why they make so many E85-capable engines. My own car has one.
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 4, 2015 at 08:08 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 98
From: ca
Enrichening the mixture won't necessarily give more power. No matter how much gasoline or how much ethanol you have in the mixture, there is an optimum ratio for best and most efficient combustion and power/mileage. Over and above that point, where you don't get enough air/oxygen for combustion, more fuel doesn't mean more power...just more waste.
Heres an article see where the guy says you need to burn about twice as much alcohol as gas.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...el-conversion/
Again alcohol engine needs more fuel flow to make the same power as a gasoline engine.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7403441_conv...s-alcohol.html
Last edited by dicer; Dec 5, 2015 at 07:59 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Study it. When running alcohol with carburetors you have to jet richer. Why? One reason is the lower heat value from it. Also the air fuel ratio for alky is 7:1 and for gas is 14:1. This is why I said you need it richer. And this is why they want more alky in the gas. To ruin your gas mileage. But it will burn cleaner.
Heres an article see where the guy says you need to burn about twice as much alcohol as gas.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...el-conversion/
Again alcohol engine needs more fuel flow to make the same power as a gasoline engine.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7403441_conv...s-alcohol.html
Heres an article see where the guy says you need to burn about twice as much alcohol as gas.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...el-conversion/
Again alcohol engine needs more fuel flow to make the same power as a gasoline engine.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7403441_conv...s-alcohol.html
What I was saying is that any fuel-air mixture, whether ethanol or gasoline (or a mix), will have an optimum fuel-air ratio for best combustion/power/mileage, and simply giving it more fuel without more air will accomplish nothing.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 98
From: ca
Again if its alcohol you have to give it more fuel with the same air. Just read the stuff. Alcohol needs more fuel like twice as much. Remember its the supposed reason to use it because its oxygenated so it doesn't need more air.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
Quality gasoline
I was in a shop today getting an inspection, and it happened to be an Exxon station, so I asked the owner what he thought about Top Tier, then Costco and Wawa.
Basically, he told me the tankers go to the terminal, the same tankers that haul to Wawa or Exxon, but when it is a branded gasoline, like Exxon/Mobil, Shell, BP, Gulf? he said additives are mixed into the gasoline per whatever formulation.
Then he said Costco and Wawa is unbranded, and he only recommends (not joking it's what he said) Wawa when you need to pull over and take a leak hahahahahaha
I told him but Costco is Top Tier, he said no, it's unbranded....so don't know who is right or wrong, but I've always been curious how the very same tanker fills up a Top Tier station, and also a non. The manner in which they pick up at the terminal does explain....
Basically, he told me the tankers go to the terminal, the same tankers that haul to Wawa or Exxon, but when it is a branded gasoline, like Exxon/Mobil, Shell, BP, Gulf? he said additives are mixed into the gasoline per whatever formulation.
Then he said Costco and Wawa is unbranded, and he only recommends (not joking it's what he said) Wawa when you need to pull over and take a leak hahahahahaha
I told him but Costco is Top Tier, he said no, it's unbranded....so don't know who is right or wrong, but I've always been curious how the very same tanker fills up a Top Tier station, and also a non. The manner in which they pick up at the terminal does explain....