Most gasolines contain octane, surfactants, and other residue (sulfur, zinc, etc.). When the gasoline combusts, the residue remains. The surfactants help remove the sulfur and other impurities left behind. Higher octane gasolines probably contain more octane but less surfactants. This will probably the engine dirtier. Some of the engine treatments available work, others do not, and others are just concentrated forms of the surfactants available in the gasoline (i.e. STP products). I would recommend you add the concentrated surfactants to you car once in a while to maintain the health of your engine. Who knows what higher than normal octane will do to your engine though? It may add prolonged unnecessary heat stress to the engine since I don't think that 100 octane gas was ever intended to be used in the car. Heat stress will lead to small hairline fractures and so forth.

Kaptain Insano

 

I don't think that Unocal 76 would put their reputation on the line to sell fuel that would damage a vehicle's engine instantaneously or over time.

Tan

 

Well, I could be wrong but I'll bet this is another one of those "You'd go faster if you put the money into racing school" differences.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Kaptain Insano
[B]Most gasolines contain octane, surfactants, and other residue (sulfur, zinc, etc.).

 

tnguyen0567,

I can't believe you trust what "oil" companies tell (market to) you. Oil companies don't care what they do to your car as long as the product sells. There is no way that anyone can prove if high octane gasolines cause long term engine damage because ppl don't generall use only high octane gasoline. As a result, UNOCAL is not placing their reputation on the line. Does UNOCAL 76 recommend that all cars you use this fuel and will benefit from it? Does Honda recommend that you use this fuel? Is there ANY hard proof this fuel works? Why don't you use this fuel for the next 10 years and then come back and tell us if this stuff actually works and tell us how your engine is running. I'm sceptical.

marcucci,

Octane is not a measure of a fuel's propensity to burn. Octane is an organic compound composed of 8 carbon atoms and 18 hydrogen atoms connected by single covalent bonds. My statement was correct as stated earlier.

The "octane ratings" of Japan are not the same as the "octane ratings" of the U.S. You cannot compare the two because they are based on different units of measurement. You can only compare the relative difference in the U.S.

You need to learn more about octane. Combustion is an exothermic reaction. It gives off energy (heat in this case). Octane is the only reactant in gasoline. The higher concentration octane you have, the more energy you give off. It does not take very much energy to ignite a combustion reaction. That is what your spark plug is for. Again, my statement was corect as stated earlier.


For all those ppl who really want to see how a difference in "RON" will affect the performance of a car, I suggest you try using reformulated oxygenated fuel (gas with either MTBE, ethanol, etc.) for one month and then try using unoxygenated fuel for the next month. Oxygenated fuels contain about 10% oxygenates per gallon. You can do the math and figure out what performance gains, if any, you are getting.

--Kaptain Insano

 

Don't knock it until you try it ladys and gentlemen. Poverty be damned, after 2 tanks I am addicted. It feels like quicker acceleration through the entire rpm range. I suggest anyone that races might want to look into the 100 octane. I know,a dyno would be nice but not in my near future. Anyone up to the task of dyno premium vs 100??

 

No dyno needed, there is a definite identifiable difference just like adding the Comptech Super Charger you will cruise with a bigger grin ear to ear after a tankful of racing fuel.

 

Wow, great thread... wanted to add my 2 cents...

I've been using 104+ octane booster (gasonline additive) for the last 10 years. I used it in everything from my firebird formulas, Civic EX, dodge truck, even the 67 VW Bug... It's "supposed" to boost the octane to at least 104 when added to 16 gallons of gas. It's pricey, at ~$8 a bottle; but worth it in my opinion.

I bought the formula used, added a bottle and watched the smoke pour out the back when I hit the gas; it only did that the first 2 time. In the 94 Civic EX I used it from day one. Granted, it's a civic, but I drove her hard, and at 200,000 miles after 6 years, the engine still ran great. Both cars gave a noticable seat dyno pull with it.

Once every month or so I drop a bottle in the S2000 and jump on the highway for a smile! I used it for a 3 hour drive to Reno, even hit over 30 MPG (with major VTECing!)

It's available across the country at most Pepboys and auto parts stores. (I don't work for the company... just a happy user).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Kaptain Insano
[B]Octane is the only reactant in gasoline.

 

NOS the people who make the Nitrous for cars also put some of that research into a bottle "NOS in a bottle" this is more noticeable than 104+ octane booster.
You should try this too.

Tan