What gas to use?

[chillinmcmillan]

What is the best octane to use in our cars? I'm running 94 octane right now with a bone stock engine. Mazda told me only preium gas, but is 91 good enough or is 94 better? Does the higher octane make the engine run hotter?

 

[SpicyMSP]

n00b do a search.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

I run mine on alcohol.

 

[yashooa]

Well

Don't live in Amarillo because "Superunleaded" 90 Octane is almost all those bitches sell out there. Damn went on a trip and had to stay out of the boost all the way home. I'm sure 12PSi would not like 90 octane.
I run 93 which is almost the norm for most of the DFW stations and it runs very well on 10-12 PSI. I will be installing colder plugs when the cooler weather arrives.

 

[funnylittlman]

Just use 93 and be done w/ it.

94... you pay more $ for 1 more octane... why?

Anyway, Kwitski on here uses 116 at the track, and has had some INCREDIBLE results

 

[Tex]

Same as Yashooa, 93 Octane, (Exxon).

 

[Maestrokneer]

OK...there are two different ways to rate octane. Are you guys talking about the (R+W)/2 method? Because that's what is used out here in California, and the highest octane I've ever seen at a fill station is 91. I know the other method (forgot the name) gives a higher number. So wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.

Also, is Chevron gas better than say 76 or Shell? I've heard it is, but haven't seen any real data to prove so. And where can I get 93 octane if not at the major gas stations? Thanks.

 

[war]

the supplement to the owners manual (in canada at least) says to put 91 or better.

i'm using 92!

 

[spoolboy]

I use 91 and 94 once in awhile...... I notice no difference

 

[jonnydoe48]

california only offers 91 as its highest, maestro. or so i hear.

 

[AGR]

Amoco

93 Octane, and sometimes Exxon. But; always 93 octane.

 

[kwiktsi]

I use 91 and 94 once in awhile...... I notice no difference

You will not notice a difference. In all actuality- lower octane gas burns faster and makes MORE power- HOWEVER- it is the slower burning, higher octane fuel that has better detonation abilities that makes high octane fuel a necessitity in turbo cars. You only need a high enough octane to supress detonation.. 100 octane in a bone stock car that wll not even detonate with 91 octane will only make less power and make the car feel a bit sluggish.

If you are upping the boost and don't detonate on xx octane, going higher will be of no use, if you do detonate- up the octane .
Joe

 

[Maestrokneer]

In your opinion Joe, if we keep the boost at a maximum of 10psi, should we detonate using 91 octane? (Worried about not recognizing the detonation sound because I'm too busy Raging Against the Machine )

 

[kwiktsi]

In your opinion Joe, if we keep the boost at a maximum of 10psi, should we detonate using 91 octane? (Worried about not recognizing the detonation sound because I'm too busy Raging Against the Machine )

Too many variables to answer this reliably .. Temp, air density, etc. will effect it..
Joe

 

[Maestrokneer]

Ok...than how about just telling me what I should be listening for. Is it a pinging sound? Or how would you describe detonation?

 

[jonnydoe48]

california weather? =) (summer 70's-90's, winters 50's to 70's)

 

[kwiktsi]

Ok...than how about just telling me what I should be listening for. Is it a pinging sound? Or how would you describe detonation?

faint to moderate metallic rattling/ping sound.
Joe

 

[Maestrokneer]

Awesome...guess I'll just have to turn the beat down a bit when I first up my boost and make sure I'm not detonating.

And Johnnydoe, what does California weather have to do with anything?