Whats the best gasoline? [Archive] - MercuryMarauder.net Forums

RF Overlord

07-08-2003, 11:34 AM

greg:

Back when cars had carburetors (yes, I'm really THAT old... :rolleyes: ), the brand of gas used to make a difference...with the advent of fuel injection and computer controls, it's really not as critical anymore. I'm not advocating using unbranded, no-name fuel of unknown origin, but of the more common brands, I haven't found one that makes any difference at all, so I go to different stations when they have "Wacky Wednesday" or "Super Sunday" and offer a nickel or 8¢ off...

I noticed you use 91 octane,and have Dennis's chip...I think Dennis programs his chips for 92 octane, unless you specify otherwise when you buy it, so you may get a little more performance if you step up a notch...

amerikan

07-08-2003, 11:37 AM

Thanks RF, wait... in California there is nothing higher than 91 octane? octane booster maybe? also about gas quality... i think i remember NBC shooter saying something about how chevron is better than 76 because of the MTBE? anything on that? greg

TripleTransAm

07-08-2003, 11:57 AM

Believe it or not, this is almost an impossible question to generate one right answer. There are so many factors.

First of all, for the safety of the motor, minimum octane requirements should be satisfied. This prevents the fuel from auto-detonating at the wrong time (ie. not triggered by a spark but rather by cylinder hot spots or compression heat) and/or keeps the fuel burning at a controlled rate rather than a wild quick blast. Both can have disastrous effects on pistons and connecting rods/bearings.

Then there's the cleanliness of the gas. As RF said, you should stick to known brands of fuel... even though modern fuel injection systems have good filtration you don't want to end up with crud damaging or clogging any injectors. Fuel volatility isn't too much of an issue nowadays, since FI systems feed the injectors under pressure and hence not much chance of ever experiencing vapor lock like the carburetors of old, where fuel was sucked from the tank.

Even among the same brand of gas, station-to-station variation can result in a wide range of results. I can fuel up at the Esso (Exxon) station near my place and then at an Esso downtown, and get as much as a 5 mpg difference with identical driving conditions. Crap in the fuel holding tanks? Deliberate dilution of the fuels for profit increase? No one can confirm, but the reality is that many people I know have experienced this mileage drop with that station.

Stick to a popular well-known brand... many old-timers will say it doesn't matter since the smaller independants get their gas from the same place, etc. etc. That may be the case, but the gas they buy is at a discount and usually does not contain the same additives package that the large companies reserve for their own stations. These additives DO make a difference, in fuel system cleanliness and performance.

Besides watching brand names, it's a good idea to stick to a busy station. There is less risk of stale or contaminated fuel. Hopefully a busy station will try to keep their filters clean (ever notice how some stations take FOREVER to fill up your tank? Dirty fuel filter at the pump, that's why... ).

So, there isn't one end-all answer to this. The best is to find a good station and stick to it or others like it. Watch your MPG, it's a good indicator of which gas performs best (more performance at all RPMs usually means less overall demand on the fuel system, since you won't need to hold the pedal open as long). As we've discussed before, octane isn't everything since companies sometimes use additives with less specific energy to boost octane, resulting in a higher octane fuel with less energy per unit quantity (and hence less performance).

RF Overlord

07-08-2003, 12:02 PM

^^^what he said^^^

I think...

RF Overlord

07-08-2003, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by amerikan
in California there is nothing higher than 91 octane? octane booster maybe?

A call to Dennis may be in order, here...

Merc-O-matic

07-08-2003, 12:12 PM

The best we can do here in N. E. Ohio is "Sunoco" Sun Oil Co.
they have a high test with 94 octane....she purrrrrs like a kitten.
My brother has been using it in his 1964 Falcon Sprint
302 CID with 300 ponies for years with good results.

Marauder57

07-08-2003, 12:16 PM

It would not surprise me if someone was better than the others.....but I have always heard...and there was a time pumped gas...that the individual "little stations" bought from whoever was cheaper...not neccessarily who was on the sign.....

And some places would put lower octane gas in the higher octane pumps to make more money......

So I think as long as you stay away from the little "Mom and Pop" stations...going with any "Big Oil" station using the right octane should be good.

Personally I go to my local Sam's Club...put in 93 Octane for the price of 87 at a big station.....they use whatever "Big Oil" deal they get that week....but both my F150 and now my MM run great on the gas...no knocks....

Macon Marauder

07-08-2003, 12:27 PM

Seems like there was a thread several months ago about this. A member that worked for a big oil company (I think) had some good insight...

I'm in the habit now of using EnMark 93 octane (7 cents off every Tuesday!) but I have no idea if it's the "best." Some people swear by that Amoco gold clear stuff, but I've never noticed a difference when I've used it.

The Sam's club here has 91 as the "Premium" gas...

Marauder57

07-08-2003, 12:29 PM

The Sam's club here has 91 as the "Premium" gas...

Well over at the "Club"....they have 87 and 93 no inbetween which down here is 91. 93 is fine by me....

studio460

07-08-2003, 12:47 PM

First of all, I have no hard data on fuel efficiency using MTBE vs. non-MTBE mixtures. All my data at this point is anecdotal. In my sample of one fill-up, Texaco 91 was the worst-performing fuel I've ever had at 11.6 MPG city (my "GOOD" city MPG is typically about 13.5). There was no information on the Texaco pump as to formulation.

Chevron 91 was good at 19.2 MPG freeway (for me, this is GREAT highway). I generally have been fueling solely with Chevron and Mobil under (the possibly mistaken) belief that MTBE fuels performed better than non-MTBE ethanol mixtures (such as 76). Again, I have little data either way to support any of these conclusions.

P.S. Oh yeah, 91 octane is the highest octane sold in the state of California. And yeah, that sucks.

P.S.P.S. Okay, just ran a mileage test on the Chevron 91. 11.4 MPG (I was running it pretty hard, I guess). So there goes that theory . . .

amerikan

07-08-2003, 03:29 PM

hrm alright.. so maybe stop the 76... switch to chevron.. see the reason im asking this question is because huge companies such as arco have a horrible reputation for bad gas.. maybe because theyre cheaper? i dont know. Im just curious what would make one gas better than the other besides filtration as stated above. and why would a specific gas company like NBC said get better gas mileage? does MTBE really affect that? ahhhh confusing

jgc61sr2002

07-08-2003, 05:10 PM

Amoco - got 23 MPG on first fill and 25 MPG on the second fill. Thas was highway dtiving at 2200 RPM about 75 MPH.:up:

schuvwj

07-08-2003, 05:21 PM

In IL. we have 100 octane at some stations, ussually at FS stations for $3.57/gal. Has anyone tried the Turbo Blue 100 octane yet?

I use it in my Honda Valkryie motorcycle every 5th tank full or so. It really helps keep the six carbs clean. Also use it as my last fill-up just before winter storage, will not gum-up fuel system during winter storage. No need to add stabilizer.

BlackHole

07-08-2003, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Merc-O-matic
The best we can do here in N. E. Ohio is "Sunoco" Sun Oil Co.
they have a high test with 94 octane....she purrrrrs like a kitten.
My brother has been using it in his 1964 Falcon Sprint
302 CID with 300 ponies for years with good results.

I been using LL Aviation Gas from the local airport from time to time at 100 octane it diffenitly gives it a slight jump in take off I'll try some 105 racing fuel at Norwalk this weekend:D :D :D :D

MMpridenjoy

07-08-2003, 08:30 PM

She runs like a dream off Ultra 94. Try to feed it to her at every stop.

LincMercLover

07-08-2003, 08:50 PM

I use the Amaco clear stuff, 93. I won't put 91 in her. Seems to work pretty good. I've been bad on this tank of gas, and I've got a little less than a quarter of a tank with 260 miles on the trip meter. Not bad!

deerejoe

07-08-2003, 09:31 PM

Avgas (aviation fuel) or 101 LL refers to low lead content which is very high quality fuel as it is formulated for aircraft use ONLY.
Some small, private airports will sell it to you...in your tank or in your proper containers, etc.
It is also quite more expensive than your ordinary motor fuel.

I have used this fuel in my boats, motorcycles and automobiles; all of which required LEADED fuel. This was done after leaded fuel was replaced at the neighborhood service stations, etc.
The 101 LL had enough lead content to satisfy those engines still requiring leaded fuel.

Unless the Avgas formulation (in your area) is LEAD FREE, you may be doing some long term damage to your unleaded (design) engine...IMHO.

Additionally, gasoline does HAVE a shelf life factor. It generally is good advice to frequent a station that sells a high volume of fuel to be sure the gas is as 'fresh' as possible.

It's very difficult to guage fuel quality with MPG consumption numbers...too many factors come in to play; the most notable being your personal driving habits. Ambient temperature is another.

As to 'racing' fuel by the drum...some localities frown on home storage of volatile liquids in quantity.

One last note on Avgas...the fuel has an incredible shelf life, far superior to regular gasoline, however, be advised that for LONG TERM use/storage in your automobile fuel tank...it can be corrosive.

amerikan

07-08-2003, 11:28 PM

is it safe to run 100 octane in the car?

BillyGman

07-09-2003, 02:01 AM

octane gas isn't going to make your car any faster if 93 octane is all it needs and it doesn't ping or detonate w/the 93 octane. The higher octane simply doesn't detonate as easily. Having higher octane has nothing to do w/producing more power. it's really the other way around. The higher the compression ratio of a motor is, then the higher octane it will require in order to avoid pinging and detonating. And if it pings, then it will not make the power it's capable of, and the pinging can also destroy the pistons in no-time. But once you reach a certain octane level that's adequate for you motor's compression, then going over and obove that octane number isn't going to give you anymore power. And if you say otherwise, then i would challenge you to take your car to the track and prove it because you will not be able to, since there will be no difference in your Marauder's ET's w/using 100 octane gas as opposed to 93 octane. if the engine had 12:1 compression ratio, then sure you would benefit from the 100 octane, but not so when your compression ratio is down at 9.8:1 like the Marauder has. I mean no offense here, but the bottom line is that you're only wasting money by paying for 100 octane gasoline in a car that only requires 93 octane.

martyo

07-09-2003, 02:27 AM

Originally posted by deerejoe
Unless the Avgas formulation (in your area) is LEAD FREE, you may be doing some long term damage to your unleaded (design) engine.

Additionally, gasoline does HAVE a shelf life factor. It generally is good advice to frequent a station that sells a high volume of fuel to be sure the gas is as 'fresh' as possible.

Both of these points are sound advice. You should bear in mind that synthetic oil does not like gas with any lead content. In fact, because airplanes still run with leaded fuel, they can not use synthetic oil and it is my understanding that synthetic oils are not FAA approved for that very reason.

Today's gas is not as good as it used to be and "shelf life" has suffered as a result. If your car will sit for an extended period of time, consider using a fuel stabilizer.

Originally posted by BillyGman

I mean no offense here, but the bottom line is that you're only wasting money by paying for 100 octane gasoline in a car that only requires 93 octane.

RF Overlord

07-09-2003, 04:48 AM

Originally posted by amerikan
is it safe to run 100 octane in the car?

What Billy Gman said is right on...

Thanks to the Great American Marketing Machine, people have been led to believe that if 91 octane is good, 93 is better, 94 is the ****z, and 100 is, well, the cat's a$$...WRONG!...In the days BFI (Before Fuel Injection), "regular" and "premium" fuel USED to be formulated differently, with more and better additive packages going into the so-called "premium" fuel, so running an occasional tank of "hi-test" would in fact help clean deposits and perhaps make an engine in less than optimum condition run better. With the advent of fuel injection, due to problems with intake valve deposits, ALL fuels, regardless of octane, have the same detergent and additive packages (within the same brand, of course). Using a fuel with an octane rating higher than the engine requires will not only NOT add power, it may in fact REDUCE power, as higher octane fuel has less output per unit of mass than lower octane fuel of the same formulation. While it certainly won't HURT your motor to run higher octane fuel, there's simply no point to it...

Before the flames start, let me qualify the above by saying that different parts of the country get different formulations...here in New England, we're required to use the so-called "reformulated" fuel, with additional oxygenates, so what we get may be different from that available in SoCal, or STL, or the Great White North, so my comments only apply when comparing fuels available in a given area...

*Sidenote to amerikan and deerejoe: DO NOT run low-lead, AVGAS, 101LL or anything containing ANY amount of tetraethyl lead in your car...you WILL destroy the cats in very short order...and coat the plugs, and the exhaust valve seats, ...

amerikan

07-09-2003, 09:56 AM

Thanks guys, so the only reason to use the 100octane was if our compression ration was what billy said. the reason i asked this was because i saw some ricers filling up with the "racing fuel" which was rated at 100 octane. and my friend has an IS300 which has 430rwhp on pump gas.. and 600rwhp on racing fuel. so i guess the marauder doesnt benefit and these rice burners do .. due to their compression ratios. is that correct?

TAF

07-09-2003, 10:04 AM

I only* run BP/Amoco 93 in mine and she LOVES it.

*tried some 76 (the "Official fuel of NASCAR") 93 in her on one of my NC trips and she didn't run as well....you could feel it.

RF Overlord

07-09-2003, 10:06 AM

It's not JUST the compression ratio...there are a lot of other factors, such as whether the motor is pressure fed or N/A, ignition timing, valve overlap, etc...any ricer that has 430 HP at the wheels is most assuredly NOT stock, it's HEAVILY modified and may require higher octane...although I seriously doubt anyone could get a 170 HP boost solely due to switching from pump gas to racing fuel......

tomd

07-09-2003, 10:34 AM

didn't even know you could buy 100 octane! Who sells that?

MERCMAN

07-09-2003, 11:12 AM

I would like to know where to get 93 octane, here in Farmville, Indiana, all the stations carry is 92. Will one octane point make a difference? And in the owner's manual, do I recall a notice NOT to burn gasoline mixede with ethanol?

Wags

07-09-2003, 11:31 AM

tomd,

You can get 100 at a few places around us. I get my 100 (I need it in the Chevelle, 12.5:1 comp), at Deltasonic in Downers Grove. The price has gone down from last year, which was $3.99/gal. It adds up fast, as it was almost $80 to fill up, and I get only 8 mpg with that car. I always run Amoco 93 in the Marauder.

Wags

RF Overlord

07-09-2003, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by mercman
I would like to know where to get 93 octane, here in Farmville, Indiana, all the stations carry is 92. Will one octane point make a difference? And in the owner's manual, do I recall a notice NOT to burn gasoline mixede with ethanol?

mercman:

Unless you have a chip, or a custom ECM program, your motor is made to run on 91 octane...so 92 is fine...even if you could find 93 or 94, it's doubtful you'd notice any difference...except in the lightness of your wallet. And yes, the manual says not to run fuels with a high ethanol (alcohol) content...alcohol is very corrosive to certain materials used in the fuel system...but at the low levels normally found in pump gas (5% or so, if it's there at all), it's not usually a problem...just don't make a habit of it...

TripleTransAm

07-09-2003, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by Wags
I get my 100 (I need it in the Chevelle, 12.5:1 comp), at Deltasonic in Downers Grove.

Downers Grove Illinois? If you happen to come across a guy by the name of Ed driving either a blue 1968 GTO or a goldish-colored 1962 Grand Prix, tell him Steve from Montreal says hi... Ed usually hangs out at the weekly car show/gatherings that happen around that area.

tomd

07-09-2003, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by Wags
tomd,

You can get 100 at a few places around us. I get my 100 (I need it in the Chevelle, 12.5:1 comp), at Deltasonic in Downers Grove. The price has gone down from last year, which was $3.99/gal. It adds up fast, as it was almost $80 to fill up, and I get only 8 mpg with that car. I always run Amoco 93 in the Marauder.

Wags

Holly crap! $3.99 a gallon, I bet you don’t have to wait long in line to use that pump! I’ll stick to Shell 93, they say you can go further on their gas! :lol: Funny thing is they don't say how much further???

amerikan

07-09-2003, 11:24 PM

100 octane in california at a 76 is 4.68 a gallon

MapleLeafMerc

02-19-2004, 12:41 PM

mercman:

Unless you have a chip, or a custom ECM program, your motor is made to run on 91 octane...so 92 is fine...even if you could find 93 or 94, it's doubtful you'd notice any difference...except in the lightness of your wallet. And yes, the manual says not to run fuels with a high ethanol (alcohol) content...alcohol is very corrosive to certain materials used in the fuel system...but at the low levels normally found in pump gas (5% or so, if it's there at all), it's not usually a problem...just don't make a habit of it...
OK, I know this is an old thread, but I had a question about gas quality, so I did what is often suggested and ran a search! Then I saw the note above re ethanol. The Sunoco pump where I get 94 octane says it may contain up to 10% ethanol- does that mean I should stop buying it?

Now back to gas quality: yesterday I was getting the truck serviced and the service guy showed me a jar filled with what looked like one of those shooter drinks. Dark on top and cloudy-coloured on the bottom. He said that it was contaminated gas from Shell. He also said Shell had recently admitted to a problem with their gas, and that Petro-Can was substandard too. (only a concern for canucks)

Has anyone else heard about bad gasoline from Shell recently?

Smokie

02-19-2004, 05:49 PM

I use BP/Amoco, Mobil and Shell, nothing else. I also mentioned this a while ago; AAA offers a credit card that discounts fuel purchases 5%, it may sound insignificant but if you pay $1.80 a gallon you save 9 cents per gallon. Would you pay $1.80 per gallon if you could buy the same gas for $1.71 ???

Bigdogjim

02-19-2004, 06:10 PM

I only* run BP/Amoco 93 in mine and she LOVES it.

*tried some 76 (the "Official fuel of NASCAR") 93 in her on one of my NC trips and she didn't run as well....you could feel it.
The "new" offica fuel of NASCAR is now Sunoco:)

Bigdogjim

02-19-2004, 06:15 PM

Just one thing I would like to remind everyone of is not to buy gas if the tanker truck has just "dropped" a load.

It stirs all the crap from the bottom and makes the filters work harder.

Most stations get delivers at night. Just watch out for this:)

Heavy351

02-19-2004, 06:41 PM

100 and 104 are overkill on all cars where the timing set by the factory computer.

However, it should be pointed out that with the same motor, you can advance the timing farther with the higher octane fuel thus increasing the power available (all things being the same) That is a LOT of what goes into the aftermarket chips (and enriched fuel tables at WOT) and therefore the higher octane requirements. Dennis could chime in here to confirm that.

now this is possible only for those of us with a old school ignition with a distributor or access to the PCM's timing tables.

This is really common out on the strip where you put in the race gas and keep advancing the timing "till it talks back to ya' " then you back it down a little.

If the maximum timing is set by the PCM at say 12 deg. BTDC you will gain nothing from running past the octane minimums the motor will accept without pinging.

TAF

02-19-2004, 08:42 PM

The "new" offica fuel of NASCAR is now Sunoco:)
Oh sure...pull up a post I made in July of last year and point out that the sponsorship has changed...:flamer:

What's next? Going to find a post where I said that although I'm a staunch Republican...I thought Howard Dean was a shoe-in for the Dumbocrats:confused:

Dr Caleb

02-20-2004, 08:28 AM

The Sunoco pump where I get 94 octane says it may contain up to 10% ethanol- does that mean I should stop buying it?

No. IIRC the manual says don't use fuel with more than 10% ethanol content. I fill up at Husky/Mohawk exclusively, and the 93 octane there has 10% methanol (note the 'M' - ethanol is more caustic than methanol but I may have that backwards). I've only got 12,000km on the MM and not a hitch with it yet, but my CV has the same warning, and I have now 245,000km using the same fuel and no problems ethier.

Plus Husky/Mohawk gas gets me 3% back on my AMA membership :)

Has anyone else heard about bad gasoline from Shell recently?

Yes. They recently had some bad additives in their gas that caused fuel tank sending units to foul up on newer cars. You'd have no fuel, but your gague would read 1/2 tank or something. Shell is forced to pay for new units, or to have older sending units cleaned at your dealership. There's a formula to what they will pay, something like $350 for cars 2000-2003 model year, and $200 for 1995-1999 model year, if you experience these problems. Just get it fixed, and the form to submit the bill to Shell is available at their stores.

duhtroll

02-20-2004, 08:48 AM

OK, we've discussed octane and power, but what about octane and MPG?

I know from extensive experience that a higher octane has given me better mileage. In every car except this one (because one of my two gas stations just closed since my MM purchase so I cannot make the comparison) I have made at least 2MPG better on premium (Amoco Ultimate 92) vs. a 89 or 87 octane rated fuel. I checked mileage every tank for over two years, over all types of driving, and surmised that the extra $ I was paying for premium I got back in mileage savings. It was at least close enough to make it a wash in my book.

In IA the best we can seem to get is 91 octane for 95% of the stations (except for the Amoco near me which had 92 but it is now gone). I found a Kwik Trip with 93 octane ethanol blend, and I have been going with that since the Amoco closed.

Anyone else noticed any differences in mileage between octane ratings?

Thanks,
-A

Heavy351

02-20-2004, 09:13 AM

I have never watched my MPG that closely but what you are seeing is probably the PCM using ALL the available spark advance at a given RPM with the 92, therefore at that RPM you would have more power than if you used a lower grade that pings- signallng the PCM to retard the timing and reduce the power.

So, lets say at 2500 RPMs you can cruise at 65 MPH with 92.

you might have to be at 2600 rpms to maintain the same speed with the lower grades. on the uphil grades the pinging=reduced timing=less power= put you foot (or cruise control does) deeper to the floor to maintain the MPH = more fuel burned.

This does not Jive with what Cyclone03 experienced here:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8151

RF overlord commented on this thread about it so I would suspect then under certian conditions where there is no serious loading on the motor (long straights without hills) the additional energy of the lower octane makes up the power difference gained with the higher octane because the timing is fully advanced anyway.

I am getting a headache.:depress:

Dr Caleb

02-20-2004, 09:35 AM

Anyone else noticed any differences in mileage between octane ratings?
Thanks,
-A

Absolutely. I used to drive my CV about 1000 km round trip every 2 weeks. If I used 87 octane regular, I could expect 9.2 to 10.4 l/100km (litres per 100 km, smaller is better, about 20 - 25 MPG).

On premium - 91 or 92 octane I could get 7.9 to 8.5 l/100km, or 26-30mpg. Note, this was 5 hours one way, all at highway speed 100 - 120 km/h or 60-65 mph. I could get 7.5 - 8.5 l/100km if I kept the speed below 100, at 90km/h (55mph) I could get 7.4 l/100km or 32mpg. Any vehicle will always get the best milage at 90km/h or 55 mph.

I love the 3.23 rear end in that puppy!

rookie1

02-21-2004, 04:27 AM

I feel obligated to point out that only Citgo and Marathon do not import oil from the Middle East. If that matters to anyone, it matters to me.

Dr Caleb

02-23-2004, 12:53 PM

I feel obligated to point out that only Citgo and Marathon do not import oil from the Middle East. If that matters to anyone, it matters to me.

On that note, Canada does not import oil from the middle east. Parts of New Brunswick import up to 100,000 barrels per year from the States, but that is the extent of Oil imports to Canada.

(It matters to me too :)

MENINBLK

04-18-2005, 10:23 PM

*tried some 76 (the "Official fuel of NASCAR") 93 in her on one of my NC trips and she didn't run as well....you could feel it.

The **Official Fuel** of NASCAR is SUNOCO...
Its made from ALL AMERICAN CRUDE !!!

I had the unfortunate happen to me this past week.
I've been using CITGO gasoline, for over the last year with my Marauder.
I've enjoyed the lower price and the clean burning fuel...

BUT CITGO has done something to their formula and my Marauder has the pings like there is no tomorrow !!!
I talked to WES about it and he suggested cleaning my MAF.
Following Wes' suggestion, I cleaned my MAF and reset the PCM.
It ran better but still slightly pinged...

I had the change to take a ride to Rochester, NY.
Before I left, I filled the tank with HESS 93.
Got to Rochester and found a CITGO Station.
Hmmmm, let me try and see if its the same thing here !
So I filled up with CITGO 93. I should have not listened to myself.
I got 25 MPG with the HESS 93, and the Marauder ran smooth...

I then drive from Rochester to Trenton, NJ.
When I got to Trenton, I was so tired of the Marauder pinging and farting
that I filled up with SUNOCO 94 ULTRA...
I got 20 MPG on the CITGO... :nono: (shame on me...)

Driving home from Trenton, NJ, the ride was cool !!!
I can spin the tires just by sneezing !!!
I got 23 MPG on the ride home with the SUNOCO 94 ULTRA !!!
So stay away from CITGO on the East Coast !!!

MENINBLK

04-18-2005, 10:24 PM

I feel obligated to point out that only Citgo and Marathon do not import oil from the Middle East. If that matters to anyone, it matters to me.

Ah, you are wrong...

4% of CITGO's CRUDE is PERSIAN....

MENINBLK

04-18-2005, 10:27 PM

So, lets say at 2500 RPMs you can cruise at 65 MPH with 92.

you might have to be at 2600 rpms to maintain the same speed with the lower grades.

Dude,

What are you smoking ???
Send me some of the stuff !!!

With the Torque Converter LOCKED, the Engine RPM is 2500 @ 65MPH, and
it doesn't matter WHAT GAS you use...
At 65MPH the engine RPM will ALWAYS BE 2500 RPM...

Dr Caleb

04-19-2005, 08:46 AM

The **Official Fuel** of NASCAR is SUNOCO...
Its made from ALL AMERICAN CRUDE !!!

Ummmm Suncor makes 200,000 barrels of Synthetic Crude a day right here in Alberta, at least 15% of all their gasoline at the pump comes from here, so it's 15% Canadian . . .not quite 'all' American, but close enough :)

423REED

04-20-2005, 10:35 AM

I've been filling up with 76,91 octane, since ive had my marauder. It seems to me,according to other posts, that some gasoline is better than others. Can you guys possible help me, and im sure others, distinguish between different gasoline and how it relates to the life of our motors etc., thanks, gregI live in the northwest suburbs of the Chicagoland area. I believe that what gas you can run on can be dependant on where you live. Right now I'm running my Marauder on Thornton's premium gas (93 octane) with very good results. My car likes the gas and runs and starts smoothly. I've used Amoco/BP Gold (93 octane) - very good gas. I've also tried Shell premium (93 octane). this gas felt like it produced a little more HP, but it ran slightly rougher. Sometimes the best judge of the brand of gas is how the Marauder runs when you really light it up. Does it produce the right power? Does it deliver that power smoothly?

I never try to get by with regular gas...that's a big no-no! Both of my cars are high performance and high reving cars, and they both run on premium only. My wife is not very happy about this, but that's the price you have pay for the higher performance engines. Whatever you do, please don't run your Marauder on 87 octane regular gas. It may seem ok at first, but you don't know what damage you're doing to your engine, or down the line.

This would seem to be a most difficult posting, because everyone has their own favorite gas, or, prejudice against various brands of gas. Whatever makes you happiest, and meets the factory requirements for octane level for your car is actually fine. I like the fact that premium gas has better cleaning additives. But, if I had a car that was supposed to run just fine on regular, that's what I would use.
Jim
_____________________________
2004 MARAUDER 300A - DTR
1994 TAURUS SHO - DK GREEN

TAF

04-20-2005, 01:54 PM

The **Official Fuel** of NASCAR is SUNOCO...

Uh...I made that post nearly 2 years ago....don't think you gotta explain to Goober who is the "Official Fuel of NASCAR"... ;) :P

wchain

04-20-2005, 02:38 PM

The Best kind is the Free Kind!
And your signature is HUGE

STLThunder

04-20-2005, 03:11 PM

Shell 93 Octane has been very very good to me so far!

bugsys03

04-20-2005, 04:41 PM

Uh...I made that post nearly 2 years ago....don't think you gotta explain to Goober who is the "Official Fuel of NASCAR"... ;) :P

Then Goober should know that Unocal was the official fuel of Nascar until the Daytona 500 In Feb. '04 :cool4:

ts-pa

06-27-2005, 07:41 PM

Sorry to dig up an old thread but..

I have been having two conditions: pinging occuring while under load, towing 1200lbs at a max speed of 40 mph, on a 90 deg. day. Also, on a regular basis, when I get on the gas on the slightest incline from a stop, it hesitates at around 40-50 mph. I read that I need to have more than 1/4 tank of gas to prevent fuel starvation in this type of situation, so that wasn't an issue.

I have read that carbon build up can cause these symptoms..so I read about "motorvac" and inquired a FLM dealer about this service. They no longer use this due to higher solution cost & time required. They use "b&g" system now with good responses from customers. He claimed that it may even be better.

The Service Tech said that if I run 90+ octane all the time, there is a higher chance of building up carbon than if using 87 octane. When I asked about 87 leading to "varnish" build up, he agreed but stated to use an additive once every three to four tank fill ups. Also as many stated in this thread, a high volume, quality gas dealer.

Instead of using the cleaning service, he strongly recommended spending the same money for diagnostic service checking into the MAF & Oxygen sensors.

For the past two years, I have been using 89-93 octane, adding Techron to every sixth tank fill. Replaced fuel filter a year ago. Since I thought it was a trans issue I added a higher capacity b&m trans pan to aid cooling and increase fluid volume about 9mos ago(40k miles). Used genuine Mercon V fluid in a snap-on brand system that flushes out the old fluid at the same time replcing with new fluid. Shifting improved, same pinging. My car has the OEM trans cooler in between the ac & coolant radiators. Now I'm at 60k miles.
Would adding a larger radiator(is it possible?), additional trans cooling, carbon cleaning service, MAF & Oxygen sensor replacement, fuel change, ??? solve my issues?

Sorry for so many questions at once. Short of getting a "real" Marauder that has more power, what would you folks suggest?