87 or 93 octane?
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Junior User
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87 or 93 octane?
Ive got to say, my truck definitely performs a helluva lot better when I put 93 octane in it. Actually I rarely ever run 87, and when I do, my truck feels like it loses ALOT of power.
Ive seen many people swear up and down that these trucks dont benefit from running premium at all, but from the 3 in my family (dads 1990 5.0 f150, my 1990 5.8 f250, and brothers 1994 5.8 f150) whenever we run premium, the truck is so much smoother and responsive. Its honestly a vast difference, and Its not one of those deals where my mind is so set on believing it that it seems like it happens. Ive surprised my brother a few times when I borrowed his truck and returned it with 93 octane, and he had no idea. He drove it and swore than I did something performance wise to his truck, and I just laughed and told him I put good gas in it.
So, do you guys think Im full of it?
Ive seen many people swear up and down that these trucks dont benefit from running premium at all, but from the 3 in my family (dads 1990 5.0 f150, my 1990 5.8 f250, and brothers 1994 5.8 f150) whenever we run premium, the truck is so much smoother and responsive. Its honestly a vast difference, and Its not one of those deals where my mind is so set on believing it that it seems like it happens. Ive surprised my brother a few times when I borrowed his truck and returned it with 93 octane, and he had no idea. He drove it and swore than I did something performance wise to his truck, and I just laughed and told him I put good gas in it.
So, do you guys think Im full of it?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,776
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generally, when higher octane is not required to run properly, you can gain a little on the top end, and lose a little on the bottom end (throttle response and low end power) by runnin 93. if you have bone stock motors in all the above said truck (mainly compression ratio, but also ignition timing and cam profile) then you only have 1) a potential negative effect from runnin 93, or 2) absolutely nothing at all since the motors are so weak in stock trim ya wont notice any negative effects of the fuel
now, if it runs better then it SOLELY has to do with quality of fuel in the different tanks at that station, and has absolutely nothing to do with the octane rating. period.
now, if it runs better then it SOLELY has to do with quality of fuel in the different tanks at that station, and has absolutely nothing to do with the octane rating. period.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
i have a little '96 t-bird with just the basic little 3.8l
iv tried each fuel a few times,and noticed more MPG's than with the lower grade.
at the time,i then did the math for $ per mile,and ended up just about the same,slightly in favor of premium.
that was a while ago,and i think the price diff was around 10 cents.
so i concluded for my particular car,its actually cheaper to run premium.
calculate a few tanks and do a little math.you'll soon know the exact answer to your question rather than speculate.
if your truck comes out to close the same price wise,$ per mile.then it's probably just as well to run premium.may be better for the injectors anyway.
if your just going to go by seat of the pants power feel,then you could be tossing $ away needlessly.
iv tried each fuel a few times,and noticed more MPG's than with the lower grade.
at the time,i then did the math for $ per mile,and ended up just about the same,slightly in favor of premium.
that was a while ago,and i think the price diff was around 10 cents.
so i concluded for my particular car,its actually cheaper to run premium.
calculate a few tanks and do a little math.you'll soon know the exact answer to your question rather than speculate.
if your truck comes out to close the same price wise,$ per mile.then it's probably just as well to run premium.may be better for the injectors anyway.
if your just going to go by seat of the pants power feel,then you could be tossing $ away needlessly.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
generally, when higher octane is not required to run properly, you can gain a little on the top end, and lose a little on the bottom end (throttle response and low end power) by runnin 93. if you have bone stock motors in all the above said truck (mainly compression ratio, but also ignition timing and cam profile) then you only have 1) a potential negative effect from runnin 93, or 2) absolutely nothing at all since the motors are so weak in stock trim ya wont notice any negative effects of the fuel
now, if it runs better then it SOLELY has to do with quality of fuel in the different tanks at that station, and has absolutely nothing to do with the octane rating. period.
now, if it runs better then it SOLELY has to do with quality of fuel in the different tanks at that station, and has absolutely nothing to do with the octane rating. period.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2011
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And clog my fuel filter? Haha, what does this do?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
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From: Eastern Ky
Always used it to deter gas theft.....In the 2 gallon jugs, 4 wheelers don't last long...
Something along the line of it raises CR/blows the engine up....
Something along the line of it raises CR/blows the engine up....
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Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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I run 87. I run 89 from time to time usually when towing. I have tried 93 and saw no gains of any kind. Basically you only need to run a high enough octane fuel to prevent pinging or detonation. Premium octane does not mean its a better quality fuel.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hartford, AL
Higher octanes benefit is limiting engine detonation, knocking, pinging. That is its only benefit. With that being said You can BUILD and TUNE for more power and possibly better mileage based on that benefit. Increased compression and a more aggressive timing curve can be dialed in to squeeze out a bit more performance and throttle response, that just would not be possible with 87 octane. With that all being said, you could POSSIBLY have more power if your truck was knocking, or rattling on 87 and the knock sensor was retarding timing through the eec. With 93 it may not knock, thus timing would not be retarded. Engines are much more prone to knock as they age and there is usually increased carbon buildup.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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All the motors are stock, mine has two big cone air filters coming off the throttle body and long tubes, but nothing special. The truck does run better, it idles smoother, and has better throttle response when I run premium. Which, all that is the complete opposite of what you said. I cant run it on a dyno, and it doesnt necessarily get better mileage with premium, but I know that when I go to start my truck up in the morning with 87, it idles kinda rough, and with 93 it starts up and idles smoother, with better throttle response when I start driving
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
If you notice any difference in power with higher grade fuel that simply means the lower grade stuff in your area it full of contaminants, these motors should make full power on '87 octane.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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Likes: 443
agreed.
there are all kinds of variables that need to be taken into account in regard to fuel quality. the largest may be that many companies add more chemicals to 93 to preserve it, as it sits around much longer than 87 and all gasoline has a short "shelf life". . .those same chemicals keep the fuel cleaner. its what theyre designed to do. . .cleaner fuel is better fuel. i thought i said all this in my above post, but it was actually in another thread. poor quality 87 is the only thing that would make a factory low compression motor run better on "higher octane".