Has anyone run race fuel (100+ octane) in their GS 400. Chris and I was wondering if there would be any performance increases or a waste of money?!?!?!


DakaDan

 

Using higher octane than the engine is designed for is a waste. The higher octanes are designed to prevent pre-ignition (pinging) in engines with higher compression ratios.

Once you've supplied the octane needed for the engine to function properly more octane won't add any power.

 

Dan - Marty's correct. I use the 91 octane stuff &, as a test, added a bottle of 104+ to see if it would help my 0-60 times. After 6 two-way runs, there was no appreciable gain from the extra octane. I understand that the ECU is calibrated for 91 but will compensate DOWNWARD for an occasional tank of 89 or ( God forbid!! ) 87 octane regular. Not something I'd want to make a habit of - also found that my mileage fell off a bit when I ran 2 tanks back to back of 89, as well as performance. It's actually cheaper on a cost per mile basis to run the 91 versus the 89 when U take into consideration the mpg difference.

 

MG, 91 octane....gag...choke...gag. Is that the best in Louisiana? You are of course correct on octane. The higher the octane rating the HARDER it is to start the burning process. Higher octane fuel does not make more power than low octane fuel. High octane fuel is REQUIRED in high compression and turbo/supercharged engines to prevent detonation. It is the higher compression or turbo/supercharger that makes the higher power.

 

Isn't real racing gas leades as well? In that case it would be quite destructive to your cats. I believe I remember hearing this somewhere

 

While you can get 100+ octane UNleaded racing gas most race gas is leaded. This can/will damage both catalysts and O2 sensors. Some octane boosters can also damage O2 sensors, not cheap to replace.

 

There should not be a need for it unless you have a supercharger running high psi or using nitrous oxide...I believe it helps against "knocking" and other probs...and the compression ratios also matter...like the others have said

 

Thanx for the info guys... I know that when I run race fuel in my Supra, it pulls harder then with regular ol 93. Actually premium


DakaDan

 

JB - Yep, when Amoco pulled out of Louisiana a few years ago, they took with them the last of the 93 octane gas available in my hometown. I've found 93 at some stations in New Orleans & Baton Rouge - think they were BP's. I have a friend who owns a speed shop & he keeps 102 unleaded race gasoline in stock for all the dirt track racers in the area but like I said - it didn't help the performance.

 

I saw the 100octane racing fuel for the first time at my local 76 station. I was contemplating whether or not to put a gallon of it in my gs400, but decided not to. It was priced around $4.10/gallon. Thanks to you guys I now know I made the right decision.

gsfour