Am I gaining anything by using 93 octane without a tune or am I just wasting my money. Currently running intake, test pipe and exhaust in my04

 

Gaining life for your engine, use the cheap shit and it will increase the probabality of detonation, and potentially a blown engine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

 

I'm talking about performance !!!!!!!!!!

 

You'll probably pick up a couple HP. If not 93 octane you definitely need at least 91 octane. I'm curious at the question though. You buy whatever grade premium is available in your area - whether that be 91 or 93. I've never really seen the option to buy both.

 

That article explains it all, the octane rating is ONLY a grade of detonation resistance, it does not contribute to power at all. It will make it safer if you lean out the AFRs from the mods alittle but the fuel does not and will not add power.

 

This statement is not true, I can post plenty of links explaining what octane rating is. It only means the fuels resistance to detonation, Higher octane fuels will burn in a more controlled manner and be more resistant to detonation.

Most people will get a piggy back and then lean out the AFRs and the higher octane makes this safer to do.

Put in some 87, bolt on your mods then head to the dyno, I guarantee you will ping like all hell.

Where most assume you gain power is with the timing, a higher octane fuel will allow you to run higher timing and thus the increased timing is what adds power. You can also increase timing with a lower octane but you risk blowing the engine.

 

93??? dont you guys have 93 at your reg gas station?

 

93 octane premium isn't available everywhere. Some places only get 91 octane as their premium. California is one such example I believe.

 

When I lived in PA they had 93 grade, Kansas had 91, and Hawaii has 92

all depends were you live

but towards the OP I know flashpro will retard timing if it notices knock and to compensate for diff fuel grades, so Im guessing then a stock ECU thing also so having a higher grade gas will yield more power because the ECU wont retard power as often and as much.

 

You're completely ignoring the fact that most ECUs will automatically retard timing to counteract detonation if it's detected. If you have such an ECU you will most definitely be making more power off 93 octane than 91 octane if your engine was designed for premium. This is well documented.