Re: high octane... a waste in money

From: Elmer Hanhart (hanharte@swbell.net)
Date: Tue Jan 26 1999 - 00:50:17 EST


Bernd D. Ratsch wrote:
>
> Changing the timing proves this point. High Octane fuel burns slower so you
> advance the timing (or change the timing curve to something more aggressive
> like the MP Computers). This creates a slower/longer burn time.
>
> Let's not forget the people that have older motors. Carbon Buildup =
> Detonation. Add some Octane Booster and your problem is solved.

I don't know if solved is the correct word. More like covered up.
Obviously if you have advanced timing, you need higher octane fuel, but
if you have a "normal" motor, you really shouldn't need Octane booster.
If your vehicle is supposed to run fine on 87, and 89 doesn't stop the
pinging, you need to look at something besides octane booster. If you
are running it on a stock motor you really are making less power than
you could be if it was in good running order and ran fine on 87. I
believe this is what is called a band aid fix.

The reason advancing the timing works is that it sparks the fuel off a
little before it was designed to. Running high octane not only keeps it
from blowing up instantly, but allows it to burn longer, since it has a
little more time to burn before the exhaust valve opens. Result is more
power. Running high octane w/ normal timing means you are running the
chance of allowing the fuel to burn too long/slow. Instead of the power
forcing the piston down, part of it is escaping through the exhaust
valve. Result: less power than could have been attained w/ a lower
octane/faster burning gas. You also run the risk of adding unesecary
carbon build-up in the combustion chamber since all of the fuel may not
be getting burned. Guess what? This will require you to use high octane
gas because of the glowing red carbon pre-igniting the fuel. Wow, maybe
thats why some people who run high grade gas needlessly find that they
can't go back to regular gas. Maybe they should just go get some octane
boost to solve that problem! :) Anyone else?

Erich



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