Jump to content
TEAM SHELBY FORUM

Car seems funny with 93 octane


Recommended Posts

This evening, I needed to fill up my SGT and the only gas stations around had either 87 89 or 93. Ive only had the SGT a month, and every time have filled up with 91. Now maybe its just in my mind, but after filling up with 93, the car seems somewhat less responsive and powerful. I know the cars are tuned for 91, but I didnt think filling up with 93 would make a difference. Maybe just a bad batch of gas?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Running a higher octane fuel than what your engine was tuned to run on can definitely result in a loss of performance. 91 to 93 isn't much of a spread though, so I'm surprised you felt any difference at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

93 Octane?

 

Plant your right foot hard into the throttle on any "on-ramp" close to you, and deal wih it...

 

 

 

I imagine you will be seeking out 93 octane from now on...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

93 Octane?

 

Plant your right foot hard into the throttle on any "on-ramp" close to you, and deal wih it...

 

 

 

I imagine you will be seeking out 93 octane from now on...

 

Why would he be seeking 93 more often, if his car isn't tuned for it? headscratch.gif

Higher octane fuel in an engine that isn't tuned for it will yield zero gains and may actually decrease performance. A basic understanding of what an octane rating actually measures is key to understanding why this is the case.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never in my life have I heard two people explain "octane" and what it really means, the same way.

 

There are too many variables in this scientific game, one being the difference between "octane" and "octane rating", and how both are measured by the fuel industry. Briefly though, "octane" is a measurement of a fuel's resistance to detonation and pre-ignition, aka "anti-knock" to the uninformed public.

 

That said...Stock SGTs come from Shelby tuned for 91 octane fuel. Dumping a load of 87 octane into the tank may show a slight loss of performance, yes, however (and more importantly), a lower octane fuel would put the engine at risk of detonation (and pre-ignition) which will damage the teflon coated hypereutectic aluminum pistons. Once the teflon surface is compromised, the fuel charge will eat away at the base aluminum content (16-18% silicone), and the piston eventually fails. Thus, running lower octane fuel is flirting with disaster. I suppose a custom tune for lower octane is possible, but I would not suggest that. Running higher octane fuel (higher than tuned for) has no such risk.

 

I do not imagine that being tuned for 91 octane and running 93 octane would result in any remarkable performance increase, at least none that could be factually documented. Neither would I expect it to result in any loss of performance, with likewise elusive proof. Moreover, the fresh 93 octane will be diluted by the fuel on board, as well as built up moisture in the storage tanks, thus it is probably closer to 92.

 

My earlier advice to "hit the on-ramp" was meant to remind that the EEC has a storage bank equal to approximately 300 hours of driving (adaptive memory), which it calls upon when driving conditions (such as this octane swap) confuse the EEC's decisions. The sure way to correct this, is to disconnect the battery for 15 min. or more, but this a PITA with radio stations, clock and such. The easiest way is a few second gear WOT passes down the on-ramp, to 6000 RPM. The adaptive memory will take it from there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Car seems funny hmmmmmmmmmmm..................................................tell that SOB to straighten up and drive right!!!!

 

 

 

 

:hysterical:

 

 

 

 

 

Just alittle car humor!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...
...