octane question
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Senior User
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octane question
Hey guys I know this is not diesel related but I wanted to ask u guys what y'alls input would be? My friend works at an airport and was able to get some aviation fuel rated at 100-110 octane which he sold to me. Now my question is should I use it in my f150 straight or should I mix it with regular fuel?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
I would see if you could sell it to some racers at your local track. Aviation fuel is VERY VERY Consistant and I would love to get my hands on some... I would pay quite a bit for a good amount.
Postmaster
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From: Kearney, Nebr
Most regional municipal airports will sell Jet A to the regular public as long as it's in an approved container. At least they do around here.
Posting Guru
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
The fuel is so consistant and clean because the fact if its not and clogs something on a plane the plane comes crashing down, where if its on a car fuel the car just can pull over... its MUCH cleaner than a plane and much more regulated octane wise
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: New Jersey
Octane just slows down combustion, so if an engine isn't high-enough compression to need it, it's pretty much wasted fuel, IMO. High-compression engines don't do well on low octane fuels because the fuel auto-ignites before the spark and causes detonation (valve clatter). On the other hand, low-compression engines don't really notice the difference, so high octane fuel burns pretty much the same in those engines.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: New Jersey
I think it's safe to run that fuel in your truck. That's definitely a good deal. That fuel may also have additives that will give your truck a little boost in power. The earlier post about it being a cleaner fuel is a good point too. Chances are you won't notice much difference, but the difference in your wallet is satisfaction enough.
I've heard people talk about "octane addiction" - engines getting used to higher octane fuel if they ran it for a long time and then not running so well on the lower octane when they switched back. Personally, I think it's a myth and I usually put it down to the psychological effect of knowing they're running cheaper fuel, but I guess it could be worth looking into. IMO, the computer's going to read what the sensors are telling it and adjust the injectors accordingly. If your running a more efficient fuel, you may get more efficiency. But if you run a cheap fuel later, I think the sensors will simply send different levels to the ECM and again, the injectors are adjusted. ECMs just aren't that complex.
I've heard people talk about "octane addiction" - engines getting used to higher octane fuel if they ran it for a long time and then not running so well on the lower octane when they switched back. Personally, I think it's a myth and I usually put it down to the psychological effect of knowing they're running cheaper fuel, but I guess it could be worth looking into. IMO, the computer's going to read what the sensors are telling it and adjust the injectors accordingly. If your running a more efficient fuel, you may get more efficiency. But if you run a cheap fuel later, I think the sensors will simply send different levels to the ECM and again, the injectors are adjusted. ECMs just aren't that complex.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lancaster County PA
Octane just slows down combustion, so if an engine isn't high-enough compression to need it, it's pretty much wasted fuel, IMO. High-compression engines don't do well on low octane fuels because the fuel auto-ignites before the spark and causes detonation (valve clatter). On the other hand, low-compression engines don't really notice the difference, so high octane fuel burns pretty much the same in those engines.
Octane has nothing to do with the energy in the fuel. In fact, high octane fuel in a low compression engine may actually cause a decrease in performance as all of the heat energy in the fuel may not be released due to incomplete combustion.
Any body that tells you they saw a performance increase of any measurable significance in a 9.5:1 compression ratio engine running 95 or higher octane fuel is full of it.
These are facts. Google octane if you want more info.
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Postmaster
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From: Kearney, Nebr
Im assuming he is talking about like prop plane fuel... and something that could be burned in a normal internal combustion engine.
The fuel is so consistant and clean because the fact if its not and clogs something on a plane the plane comes crashing down, where if its on a car fuel the car just can pull over... its MUCH cleaner than a plane and much more regulated octane wise
The fuel is so consistant and clean because the fact if its not and clogs something on a plane the plane comes crashing down, where if its on a car fuel the car just can pull over... its MUCH cleaner than a plane and much more regulated octane wise
Yeah. It's still easily obtainable. I used to know a couple guys that had juiced up motorcylces that would run that type of fuel. They'd fill a 50 gallon drum every month or so.
Postmaster
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From: Levittown
Its the best bang for the buck.
Your fuel and tune will have to be increased approc 30%+
Bill
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I think you can run it, but it might cook your catalytic converter.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: New Jersey
Oh, there's something I didn't think about, the catalytic converter. If the hydrocarbons from burning this fuel shoot way up, especially if combustion isn't complete, the cat will definitely throw some serious heat.
What's the story with E85? Is it a good fuel for high compression? I don't know much about it (obviously).
My Mustang is currently in mothballs. The motor I'm putting together for it will be either 10.57:1 or 10.38:1, depending on what head gasket I use. Sounds like 93 is going to fall far short of what I need to run it. <sigh> Oh well, there's a gas station about 10 miles from here that sells either 108 or 112 - I forget which - but it's really expensive. Would E85 work for that?
By the way, I'm going to put stacks on my truck someday. Totally irrelevant, I know, but I figured I'd throw something in about it since we're in a diesel forum.
What's the story with E85? Is it a good fuel for high compression? I don't know much about it (obviously).
My Mustang is currently in mothballs. The motor I'm putting together for it will be either 10.57:1 or 10.38:1, depending on what head gasket I use. Sounds like 93 is going to fall far short of what I need to run it. <sigh> Oh well, there's a gas station about 10 miles from here that sells either 108 or 112 - I forget which - but it's really expensive. Would E85 work for that?
By the way, I'm going to put stacks on my truck someday. Totally irrelevant, I know, but I figured I'd throw something in about it since we're in a diesel forum.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Plankinton, SD
I think I read E85 is good up to 12:1 compression. I was looking into it for my car but it's 14:1 compression and was told that's too high, but there was like E91 or E92, can't remember for sure, just decided to stay with 112 octane racing fuel.
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Senior User
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i've been reading about it and it looks like my catalytic converter isn't gonna like it so i'll probably sell it. i think i should be able to sell it for 150, yall think thats a pretty good price?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Madison, WI
I got to play pit crew flunkie many years ago for a guy who raced a little Formula Ford (think F1 car with "some shrinkage"; 4-cyl Cortina engine) at Waterford. We used to put his unused 108-octane fuel in his Sunbird at the end of each weekend. Always mixed with the existing 89-ish station fuel, so it was probably okay on the cat. If you have a way of always mixing it 50-50 with regular gas, you'd probably be okay. Just remember gasoline isn't as stable as diesel, so dump a bunch of Sta-Bil in it if you won't be using it within 6 months or so.