hey guys I have the 300 inline for now (352 is being built as we speak). well let's say I have a half a tank of just regular gasoline (87 or whatever)...I'm just wondering if it would hurt to add another 1/4 a tank of higher octane for cruising around town? will it actually help my motor in any way?

thanks,

nathan

 

If the motor is stock it really won't help. The compression of the factory motor does not require high octane gas. The EFI stock motor has a bit higher compression than the stock carbed motor, but neither benefits from higher octane gas.

 

but it wouldn't hurt it though, would it? I just want to put some in there and see what it does, lol that's just the kind of dude I am...

 

You do it then NateDog, but I doubt that your life will be enhanced in any way. In any case it won't do any damage.

 

haha alright, hey thanks guys for the info

 

Why are you throwin a gas hoggin V8 in your truck!

 

while just a 1/4 tank of higher octane probably won't do anything, i found that if i run full tank of high octane with an extra octane booster and fuel system cleaner through once a year or so it helps keep the beast happy. all the octane boosters do warn that they're not street legal, but you're gonna really have to make smokey mad before he tests the octane level of your go juice...

 

Why??? Are you having issues with pinging/knocking? If your stock and not having issues then all your doing is lighting your wallet without need. If you've made compression and/or timing/fueling changes then you may need the higher octane. The thing most people don't understand is that octane is not a performance enhancer.

 

on an engine with a little over 300k, everything has changed. i've found that the system cleaner helps, but the octane tends to smooth out the engine, its not knocking per-se, but it does run smoother with a higher octane.

 

yea, my engine has 46k on it so... I pay for my own gas so it's no big deal about the wallet lightin up... I'm just gonna give it a try.

 

Navy, sounds like your needing an increase of octane for daily driving for the same reason I do, an older/high milage engine.

Nate, with your miles you shouldn't need the higher octane. If anything it will hurt your fuel economy.

For myself, I tend to stay with the 87 octane until symptoms tell me I'm needing more. Usually when I'm getting close to tuneup time. More often then not I'll get better, long term, results by running an injector cleaner through the fuel system and cleanup the intake systems (filter/throttlebody/etc). Since I'm still stock the higher octane isn't needed do to higher compression and/or timing changes.

Also, since host of my miles are highway carbon buildup is not a major issue. City driving does lend it's self to carbon buildup, as in deposits on non-friction cylinder surfaces, which can cause pinging and/or pre-detination.