Yella, you're not listening. I feel that it probably will have some effect on the engine/performance, but I want to see it in numbers, or some sort of scientific deduction. Just saying "You want proof? All you have to do is to use it for a while (not just once in a while) and see what sorts of things will happen." doesn't mean squat, sorry bud. I'm not one that believes it's 'okay', but I'm very interested in what sort of compression etc. actually makes a difference.

And there isn't anything special per se about our car. It still takes advantage of the same physics and design principals as most other high performance engines. It's tuned really well. I do think this is a special car because you don't see very many of them on the road and most manufacturers won't produce something like this for the road in these numbers. But to think that it's too special for a certain type of gas w/o and proof is, to me, stupid.

 

[QUOTE=yogi,Sep 9 2004, 09:56 PM] Yella, you're not listening.

 

I'm sticking with premium regardless of what the article says. Good info though but my car deserves a high grade gasoline.

 

Yea, I only run 91 in the S also. Actually my civic si doesn't see anything else either. Someone with more experience needs to chime in...what compression levels require high octane fuel? And is that the only determining factor?

 

higher octane fuels have a higher resistance to detonation. as the compresion of the motor goes up, there is a higher chance of detonation. so it makes sense and is NECESSARY to use high octane fuel for high compression motors. usually anything over 10.0:1 compression uses premium, but im sure there might be some special cases out there.

lets put it this way, if you have a DOHC VTEC motor, USE PREMIUM.


btw if you have a car with low compressoin, for example an older accord with a single cam motor, it is not necessary to use premium at all. when a company says that their car can run on regular, it's best to listen to them. in most cases, the car will run weaker and have worse gas mileage if you use a higher octane fuel. since the accord (just for example) is single cam and has only 8.8:1 compressoin, regular fuel is appropriate.

 

I won't even switch brands.. a lesser octane? please...

My s only gets the clear stuff.. this is good to know in case of an emergency is all.

 

See, there's a real number: 10:1 That's all I'm asking for! I imagine that compression ratio isn't the only factor in determining what octane rating is needed, but probably the best single indicator.

 

Where's RR when you need him...

 

I like to think of this situation as water vs. Gatorade, water of course being regular and Gatorade being premium. You can still live life drinking water, but well calibrated athletes use Gatorade for peak performance.

"Waaater sucks. It really really sucks!"

 

I agree that there are some cars that are rated for premium that don't need it.

I agree that most drivers aren't savvy enough to notice a couple hp drop.

I think a good number of S2000 drivers DON'T fit in either of those categories.

With people putting on intakes and exhaust, lightened flywheels and dropping weight, I think they'd pay the couple cents extra for the extra performance.

And I swear, in my last car I could tell a difference between 87 and 93.
The Honda only gets 93.

It's like the argument: "Is a 400hp Supra necessary?"
The article author would say no.
Most americans would say no.

I say, "yes, please."