Hello all.. I dont know how many of you have access to race gas (Sunoco 100 Octane), but they sell it here in Florida right out of the pump at Sunoco stations. I was just wondering if anyone has tried it and will it give any extra horsepower on the IS 350 or 250. Since both cars have really high compression ratios (11.8:1 for the IS 350, and 12:1 for the IS 250) I imagine that the car's computer should be happy with 100 ocatane and advance ignition timing accordingly...am I right?

Lorna

P.S. I heard some guys talking about this on the speed channel

 

I tried a tank of 103 octane unleaded race gas in my Audi S4, which was a twin turbo car with an aftermarket performance chip, and it made an enormous difference. Of course, given the price of that tank, it was a one time experiment. The comapny that makes the performance chip I had in my Audi also sells a version optimized for race gas, which is purported to result in even better performance.

I've been thinking of taking a trip over to Raceway Park and buying a tankful for the IS. My guess is that with its normally aspirated motor, I'll see significantly less gain than I did in the turbo car.

 

Anybody Else???

 

We actually have racing gas around here too. Unfortunately, it's 110 octane leaded... we have to put it in the Chevelle. If I find some that's 100 octane unleaded, I'll run it in the GS and see how that is.

 

high octane doesnt seem to help N/A much over factory recommendations, however F/I is a different story

 

I've not try on the IS but I did try on my s2000 when I went to track. I ran half day with regular 91 and second have 100. It made my car feel that it's still strong and I didn't loose too much power by end of the day. Better put better gas in your car is what I think.

what is the price of the 100 in FL?

 

I think its a waste on a Non-turbo car. But you can try it if you want. The only reason I used it in my eclipse, is so that I could up the boost.

 

Try'ed it on my BMW M Coupe which had 11.5/1 compression and it made no difference.

I think if you feel anything, it is purely psychological.

 

normally after track my car feels like i've been abusing it badly. the time i used 100 octane, the car feel smooth after the track. Seriously when i first use the 100 on track, the car felt great.

for daily driving, i wouldn't know.
i don't think you'll need 100 for the IS for daily use. if the price is the same or 20 cents more than 91, i would use it. the higher the octane, the better for your car.

 

Only time I feel using 100 octane might help is during the summer seasons... higher octane will reduce pinging.

 

where did you get it?

 

At our local drag strip, Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ.

 

dang, i dont live near a drag strip/race track...

 

Higher Octane gas is better for cars with high compression, alot of timing advance, turbo's, and for racing. Its better because it is less likely to detonate (ping) under conditions like the ones I just mentioned. But a car that has been set up to run on regular will actually loose power with high octane because high octane burns slower and cooler than low octane gas. This is why 100 octane is great during the summer months...less chance of ping in hot weather because it burns cooler and will not detonate (ping). When the cars knock sensors detect ping, the computer will retard the ignition timing to help control ping...thus you lose horse power. When you use high ocatne, the car actually advances ignition timing for more power and better fuel economy.

The computer in our cars may not advance timing enough to make 100 octane useful. I would mix 91 and 100 to get 97 instead of putting all 100 ocatne in the tank at $5 a gallon

Lorna

 

Sigh~~~~
I wish Sunoco is around in Northern California. I know they were everywhere in Canada (not sure about the 100 Oct) back in the days when I was in high school in Ontario.

I missing Sunoco!!!