Pros and Cons for 100 Octane at the Track?
#1
02-25-2012, 10:39 AM
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 1,499
Rep Power: 93 
Pros and Cons for 100 Octane at the Track?
Had a great time at Laguna Seca on Friday (see other post).
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...see-track.html
At the track, they had 100 Octane available (at $9 per gallon -- Ouch
). I thought about trying it out for the afternoon sessions, but ended up going with the regular stuff. For our cars (i.e. 996TTs -- mostly stock), is there a lot of benefit to running race gas? Any down sides (other than to the pocket book)?
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...see-track.html
At the track, they had 100 Octane available (at $9 per gallon -- Ouch
). I thought about trying it out for the afternoon sessions, but ended up going with the regular stuff. For our cars (i.e. 996TTs -- mostly stock), is there a lot of benefit to running race gas? Any down sides (other than to the pocket book)?
#2
02-25-2012, 10:59 AM
I run about 2 gals of 100 with every fill up. The difference in performance is dramatic. I can imagine what a full tank would be like. The only downside I find other than cost (8 per gal) is how the cars now runs when deprived of the tweaked mix.
#3
02-25-2012, 11:03 AM
Octane does nothing but hurt performance unless it is required to control detonation.
So unless you have the ability to increase boost or change timing you are throwing money down the toilet.
Oxygenation is another thing though. It can seriously increase performance but it too has some very serious dangers.
Simply put --> run what your car is set up or tuned to run, any less risks engine damage, any more risks damage to ones cash balance.
So many people think octane is the thing that makes power in race gas, all it does is control the explosion. how quickly fuel combustion takes place is dependent on so many factors that encompasses built & tuning. More compression or more timing requires a slower or more controlled fuel burn.
So if you have a modified engine or the weather is colder or _______ and you engine is adjusting timing to control knock you just might notice a performance increase.
So unless you have the ability to increase boost or change timing you are throwing money down the toilet.
Oxygenation is another thing though. It can seriously increase performance but it too has some very serious dangers.
Simply put --> run what your car is set up or tuned to run, any less risks engine damage, any more risks damage to ones cash balance.
So many people think octane is the thing that makes power in race gas, all it does is control the explosion. how quickly fuel combustion takes place is dependent on so many factors that encompasses built & tuning. More compression or more timing requires a slower or more controlled fuel burn.
So if you have a modified engine or the weather is colder or _______ and you engine is adjusting timing to control knock you just might notice a performance increase.
Last edited by Engine Guy; 02-25-2012 at 11:17 AM.
#5
02-25-2012, 11:21 AM
Octane does nothing but hurt performance unless it is required to control detonation.
So unless you have the ability to increase boost or change timing you are throwing money down the toilet.
Oxygenation is another thing though. It can seriously increase performance but it too has some very serious dangers.
Simply put --> run what your car is set up or tuned to run, any less risks engine damage, any more risks damage to ones cash balance.
So many people think octane is the thing that makes power in race gas, all it does is control the explosion. how quickly fuel combustion takes place is dependent on so many factors that encompasses built & tuning. More compression or more timing requires a slower or more controlled fuel burn.
So if you have a modified engine or the weather is colder or _______ and you engine is adjusting timing to control knock you just might notice a performance increase.
So unless you have the ability to increase boost or change timing you are throwing money down the toilet.
Oxygenation is another thing though. It can seriously increase performance but it too has some very serious dangers.
Simply put --> run what your car is set up or tuned to run, any less risks engine damage, any more risks damage to ones cash balance.
So many people think octane is the thing that makes power in race gas, all it does is control the explosion. how quickly fuel combustion takes place is dependent on so many factors that encompasses built & tuning. More compression or more timing requires a slower or more controlled fuel burn.
So if you have a modified engine or the weather is colder or _______ and you engine is adjusting timing to control knock you just might notice a performance increase.
Surely, your not saying that there is no discernible increase in performance by doing that? My imagination isn't that good. Doesn't the ecu adjust depending upon what you're running, fuel wise?
#6
02-25-2012, 11:23 AM
Hey Paul..
Just down the street. One of the joys of suburbia. That and the fresh blacktop heh...
Just down the street. One of the joys of suburbia. That and the fresh blacktop heh...
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#8
02-25-2012, 11:39 AM
I figure that by adding a cpl gals of 100, I'm merely bringing the octane up to the OEM recommended 93, rather than the basic 91oct we have at most pumps in Kali.
Surely, your not saying that there is no discernible increase in performance by doing that? My imagination isn't that good. Doesn't the ecu adjust depending upon what you're running, fuel wise?
Surely, your not saying that there is no discernible increase in performance by doing that? My imagination isn't that good. Doesn't the ecu adjust depending upon what you're running, fuel wise?
You very well could be feeling a gain. It is about testing; emperical tests could tell you fact from fiction. If your car is retarding timing the added octane could very well free up some HP.
#9
02-25-2012, 12:27 PM
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 1,499
Rep Power: 93
Interesting perspectives -- One reason I asked is because someone I met at the track with a Boxster Spyder said that the 100 Octane made a huge difference in his car. As far as I know, his car is stock.
I was wondering whether different models of Porsches (specifically, the 996TTs) were tuned to take advantage of higher octane gas -- or if, as stated, you'd just throw money down the drain. BTW -- the regular gas was $6 per gallon at the track so the difference wasn't that big.
I was wondering whether different models of Porsches (specifically, the 996TTs) were tuned to take advantage of higher octane gas -- or if, as stated, you'd just throw money down the drain. BTW -- the regular gas was $6 per gallon at the track so the difference wasn't that big.
#10
02-25-2012, 12:36 PM
my car is tuned for both, race and 91 octane. it all depends on the tune.. if your car is stock, can't tell no signature, 91 or 93 is fine.. if you tune your car with a dual file like mine, the car will pull timing on regular, and add with race or higher octane... i feel a huge, huge difference!!! i would think that on a hot day adding a few gallons to the tank wouldn't hurt....
#12
02-25-2012, 12:51 PM
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 1,499
Rep Power: 93 my car is tuned for both, race and 91 octane. it all depends on the tune.. if your car is stock, can't tell no signature, 91 or 93 is fine.. if you tune your car with a dual file like mine, the car will pull timing on regular, and add with race or higher octane... i feel a huge, huge difference!!! i would think that on a hot day adding a few gallons to the tank wouldn't hurt....
#14
02-25-2012, 01:44 PM
..sorry for the thread drift... back on point..i don't know if my ecu flash has different files for differing octane levels on it or not, but it sure takes advantage of higher octane fuel instantly. i hate the associated cost, but now that 100 is at my normal pump
i cant resist.