Regular vs Premium?

[Bminder]

The owner's manual calls for regular. 
Is that what you use?

[holes41]

The owner's manual calls for regular. 
Is that what you use?

I have been using Chevron premium, but here in Cali premium is only 91 octane and no matter where you go it contains ethanol.

[movenon]

I have run both but try to run premium if I have a choice.
George

[Tiger]

  Given the crap that they load up regular with, I've ran all my rides on premium for several years now. For the few extra pennies that it costs to run prem' over reg', its well worth it...

John.

[Dads_FJ]

I run 87 octane and have had no issues. 

[andyb]

The only reason I run 87 is because I can't get 85.  If it's not detonating, any higher than the bottom is a waste.

If you have significant engine work done that will increase the dynamic compression (and usually static in the process) ratio, you may find you need more octane.  Or if you spend significant amounts of time doing quite slow work and getting really high cylinder temperatures that way, a little higher may be helpful.

Otherwise, running high octane fuel is not only hard on the wallet, but it's silly.  Easy to prove on a dragstrip.  Going from 87 to 100 slows me down around ~2mph through the traps; doesn't sound like much, but it's a fairly major change, probably 4-6hp difference in the two fuels.

That being said, not all 87 is equal, nor is all 93.  If I have the choice, I avoid ethanol, though I don't usually have the choice.  87 from a respectable pump (Shell, Exxon/Mobil, BP, etc) is better than 87 from the little no-name down the street.

This also excludes oxygenated race fuels, though I suspect most people won't be willing to pay $15/gal for U4.4 (~110) or $30/gal for MR12 (~93), and despite the higher octane ratings, those two will make a very significant difference in power output, particularly if you're jetted on the rich side (or a really hot day, a rich jetting for the conditions).

Waste your money on fancyshit oils that don't work any better, if it makes you feel better.  Too high of an octane rating will measurably slow you down, spending too much on oil will not.

[Joe Sull]

The gas price climbing another 5 c because ethanol is going up. Heard that this morning on the news.

[FJscott]

The only reason I run 87 is because I can't get 85.  If it's not detonating, any higher than the bottom is a waste.

If you have significant engine work done that will increase the dynamic compression (and usually static in the process) ratio, you may find you need more octane.  Or if you spend significant amounts of time doing quite slow work and getting really high cylinder temperatures that way, a little higher may be helpful.

Otherwise, running high octane fuel is not only hard on the wallet, but it's silly.  Easy to prove on a dragstrip.  Going from 87 to 100 slows me down around ~2mph through the traps; doesn't sound like much, but it's a fairly major change, probably 4-6hp difference in the two fuels.

That being said, not all 87 is equal, nor is all 93.  If I have the choice, I avoid ethanol, though I don't usually have the choice.  87 from a respectable pump (Shell, Exxon/Mobil, BP, etc) is better than 87 from the little no-name down the street.

This also excludes oxygenated race fuels, though I suspect most people won't be willing to pay $15/gal for U4.4 (~110) or $30/gal for MR12 (~93), and despite the higher octane ratings, those two will make a very significant difference in power output, particularly if you're jetted on the rich side (or a really hot day, a rich jetting for the conditions).

Waste your money on fancyshit oils that don't work any better, if it makes you feel better.  Too high of an octane rating will measurably slow you down, spending too much on oil will not.

+1 if you are running stock compression ratios and not detonating 91 octane premium is a waste of money.

[mr blackstock]

G'day,

I run everything I own on 95 octane.  I think Australians only have access to 91, 95, and 98.  Not sure if we get 87.

I find it works well, when I can get my bitch running....

Cheers, Gareth

[Harvy]

G'day,

I run everything I own on 95 octane.  I think Australians only have access to 91, 95, and 98.  Not sure if we get 87.

I find it works well, when I can get my bitch running....

Cheers, Gareth

Gareth, Aus and US octane numbers are not based on the same measurement method _ I believe US 87 is roughly equivalent to our 91.

Harvy

[keand3]

I am so glad that we don't have that ethanol stuff in the fuel over here... But is just a matter of time i guess..

[Bones]

I run at least 95 premium in everything, it's not saying much for the rubbish we call petrol, when computer controlled cars that are designed to run on 91 octane ping their arse off under load while running it.

At least will still have a choice here weather we use normal unleaded or ethanol. For how much longer though I don't know.
                                                             Tony.

[Pat Conlon]

I am so glad that we don't have that ethanol stuff in the fuel over here... But is just a matter of time i guess..

Does Norway grow an excess amount of corn?
No?
Then I would not worry about it.

[keand3]

Does Norway grow an excess amount of corn?
No?
Then I would not worry about it.

Guess we're lucky then 

[FJmonkey]

Does Norway grow an excess amount of corn?
No?
Then I would not worry about it.

Guess we're lucky then 

Hold on there Ken... What does Norway have in excess? Oil and Fish, so unless they find a way to get combustion engines to run on Sardines then you are safe...