| Author | Message | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Junior Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 130 Registered: 8-2003 |
There is an ad for "Stabil gas conditioner",that says that gas starts breaking down after 60 days,starts forming varnish and gum deposits and such. Thought I'd pass that along. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Intermediate Member Username: Ross Post Number: 1306 Registered: 3-2002 |
jim you make the ppoint i was going to list, that most of the time the gas is only differentiated by additives added at the the last minute. be brand loyal if you want but it has more to do with volume through the station and additives than whose name is on the pump. alex, you answer your own question; the pipeline carries 30pct of the states needs, and you think there is a 30pct padding in the supply/demand equation for your area? not. the entire country's supply/demand equation is usually on the razor's edge with maybe 2-5 pct tolerance for disruptions depending on the time of year. big disruptions for lengthy periods mean big price hikes. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1786 Registered: 7-2002 |
Honestly the topic of gasoline breakdown never came up. Our tanks turned every 1 to 5 days on avg so not an issue. I do think it is true, but as for the timeframe I don't have hard dates. | ||
| todd (Flat12)
New member Username: Flat12 Post Number: 22 Registered: 7-2003 |
I've Also heard Chevron is the best currently | ||
| Glen C Winters (Wildwarrior)
New member Username: Wildwarrior Post Number: 34 Registered: 3-2003 |
I use Exxon 93, and have tried a few tanks of Sunoco 100 that I had to run in my stroked Vette, other than a few bucks more per gallon there is zero gain on a 10 to 1 motor at any rpm. | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 316 Registered: 4-2003 |
Jim, what about the shelf life of gas? Is the story that gas starts breaking down in 45 to 60 days another myth? thx | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1784 Registered: 7-2002 |
as a former gasoline analyst I can attest that technically all gasoline is the same. It is made at various refineries and piped, barged or trucked to the racks where the fuel trucks pick it up. at that point it becomes different based on a brands mandate of additives etc be injected into the gas. companies do exchanges too so when citgo is out of gas in the east they buy excess supply from somebody else and send that to the stores. A friend who worked for Tosco..a refiner and owner of circle K said they did a huge study and found that Chevron with Techron was the best gas. I wouldn't be afraid of RaceTrac as the gas is fine. I would be more worried about that run down Texaco first...leaky tanks etc and you are just paying more for the brand value. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Junior Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 92 Registered: 8-2003 |
In the Chicago area, the 2 best gasoline brands,(my opinion,ofcourse) Are Shell and Amoco(BP) And,out of those two,I pick the Amoco(BP) and ONLY use their 93 octane-"Ultimate". With a bottle of STP or other high grade fuel injector cleaner every few tankfuls. Keeps everything nice and clean in the intake and fuel delivery systems. And, I believe, a little better mileage.(as if that really matters!) | ||
| Robert Faber (F129b)
New member Username: F129b Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2003 |
My '98 Euro 355 often detonates with So. Cal. Chevron premium. It seems to like Shell and Unocal premium better. A local Unocal also sells 106(?) Octane racing fuel that I add to the premium to increase octane further. A 75/25 mix seems to work perfectly. | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 137 Registered: 3-2002 |
I use nothing but Chevron with Techron. 93 in the cars and 89 in the old truck. | ||
| Steven Duke (Sduke)
New member Username: Sduke Post Number: 27 Registered: 3-2003 |
BobD An 82 Red Raider! That was a good year for Red Raider grads. Tell your wife congrats. I beat her out by 3 years. The dust still blows, and a lot of people, including both my daughters, think happiness IS Lubbock in their rear-view mirror. It's not so bad. 5 Minute drive to work. 15 minutes to go just about anywhere in town. A quality University, and of course....The Buddy Holly Museum. Ahhh..Lubbock steve | ||
| John Bicsak (Funshipone)
Junior Member Username: Funshipone Post Number: 227 Registered: 1-2002 |
Use Mobil,Shell and Sunoco | ||
| rob guess (Beast)
Junior Member Username: Beast Post Number: 193 Registered: 5-2003 |
Alex; The answer is GREED Rob | ||
| Alex Papas (Alexpapas)
New member Username: Alexpapas Post Number: 50 Registered: 2-2003 |
In Phoenix today, the answer is "ANYTHING I CAN GET!" Gas vendors are sold out by 10AM and lines form around the block and down the street by 7AM. I think I have enough gas in my cars to keep me going a couple of weeks and hopefully they will have the pipeline fixed by then. I just don't understand how a pipeline that carries only 30% of the state's gas can cause major disruption and closed gas stations. | ||
| rob guess (Beast)
Junior Member Username: Beast Post Number: 192 Registered: 5-2003 |
I use whatever i can find as of late. For all of you not in the Phoenix area count your blessings. We have a big time gas shortage out here. The stations that do have gas are backed up into the street, and charging any where from $2.19 to $4.59 a gallon for regular unleaded. | ||
| Terry Springer (Tspringer)
Member Username: Tspringer Post Number: 744 Registered: 4-2002 |
Couple of points. Modern cars with advanced fuel injection and ignition computers can and do benefit from running increased octane. You will get a slight power increase at high rpm running race octane gas in these cars because the computers will allow the ignition and valve timing to advance further at high rpm since there will be no ping. On cars that do not have sophisticated ping sensors and computers, running higher octane than your compression ratio calls for is a total waste. Not only that, the higher octane fuel can cause your engine to run a bit hotter. Techron DOES really work. Its a great product, and its in ALL grades of Chevron fuel. You can also buy it in bottles at all auto parts stores. | ||
| David Stoeppelwerth (Racerdj)
Member Username: Racerdj Post Number: 357 Registered: 1-2003 |
I use Shell 93 octane. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 976 Registered: 4-2002 |
"The actual compression reading (PSI) is more definitive when determing the exact octane rating that is neede to avoid detonation." The actual compression near idle is determined by the closing point on the intake camshaft lobe. Since this is the RPM range where compression testers spin the engine. The actual compression near peak TQ RPMs actually IS the mechanical compression ratio. 11:1 for an F355. Compression is an adiabatic process where pressure and temperature change at the same time. Compression under isothermal conditions would lead a 10:1 compression ratio engine to compress 14.7 PSI atmosphere to 147 PSI. Compression under adiabatic conditions would lead a 10:1 compression ratio engine to compress 14.7 PSI atmosphere to (about) 200 PSI. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1466 Registered: 3-2001 |
Steve, my wife was a Red Raider... class of '82ish. Any dust storms recently in Lubbock?  You gotta love West Texas! "I thought happiness was Lubbock, Texas in my rear view mirror." Mac Davis. And Lubbock was home to Buddy Holly too. | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
Member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 578 Registered: 4-2003 |
Keep in mind that octane ratings are expressed as two figures: Reasearch and Motor. Research tends to give a higher octane number for the same fuel, while motor tends to express a lower number. The method at the pump is: R+M/2. That is the average (ie reaserch plus motor, divide by two). So, if someone says 100 octane, it is important to be clear as to which one they are using. | ||
| Steven Duke (Sduke)
New member Username: Sduke Post Number: 26 Registered: 3-2003 |
BobD All of our Shell stations went bankrupt. The organization, (Horkey Oil), that owned all the Shell stations bit the big weenie and left us without. I double checked the Texaco I use often and 90 is the top. There is a Chevron station on the other side of town that I have never used. They might have higher than 90. Fina and Diamond Shamrock have 90. It kind of sucks living in a smaller town sometimes. I asked around with some of my drag race buddies and they all buy gas from a performance store. Most have a 55 gallon drum they get refilled. They can get 110 octane for $6.50 a gallon. Overkill for all but racing. I am not sure what the lowest octane they may offer, but I would imagine it is at least 100. A bit of overkill again. I may be mistaken about there being no other stations in town offering higher octane. Honestly, I have never canvased all the stations. The few in my part of town are all pretty much the same. All are combination convenience stores/gas stations. (7-11/Fina)The octane range for 7-11 is: 86-regular, 88-medium, and 90-premium. By the way, the Red Raiders will do better in football than 5th in the Big Twelve South. The scribes are full of bull. With their passing game and a new defensive coordinator, third is quite likely. Bowl bound for sure. steve | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
Member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 577 Registered: 4-2003 |
8.50 means 8.5 to 1 compression ratio. It is also known as "mechanical compression ratio" and is really not 100% definitive. The actual compression reading (PSI) is more definitive when determing the exact octane rating that is neede to avoid detonation. | ||
| Yoshi Ace (Tiger_ace)
Junior Member Username: Tiger_ace Post Number: 188 Registered: 5-2003 |
Ken, please advise what "low compression (8.5)" mean. If I am just running on street, I don't have to use preminum? (once a while is better for cleaning, though) | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 453 Registered: 12-2002 |
Where I live we only have gas up to 92 octane. So no choice. I only use Chevron Techron 92 octane for super clean engine. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Intermediate Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 1123 Registered: 10-2001 |
Gas tips: Buy the octane your owner's manual suggests. Premium for you low compression (8.5) guys is a waste. It's all in your head if you think it's better. Buy a brand name. Off brands don't have the additives to keep those injectors (carbs) clean. Buy from a busy gas station. This is really important to insure fresh gas, and also less/no water in it from condensation in the storage tanks. Also, winter/Summer formulas are different so if the seasons change fast, you don't want month old gas. Different brands ARE different. If your car likes one brand better, then use it. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 972 Registered: 4-2002 |
I try to use Chevron, but my car pretty much puts up with any preminum. However, when I go to the track and put in some 104 race gas, it perks up noticably! | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1464 Registered: 3-2001 |
Steve (Red Raider), hard to believe you can't get 93 octane in Lubbock... wow. I use Shell 93. And since I don't put a lot of miles on my car, I try to run it until it's near-dry before I refuel. | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 539 Registered: 4-2003 |
No gas, because there isn't any left in the velley of the sun . | ||
| Dave White (Dwhite)
New member Username: Dwhite Post Number: 48 Registered: 5-2003 |
I have been using Shell 93 lately in all my cars and everything seems to be running better. Before that used Sunoco 94. | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
Member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 396 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hmm, maybe the salesman had stock in Shell or Mobil. | ||
| Yoshi Ace (Tiger_ace)
Junior Member Username: Tiger_ace Post Number: 180 Registered: 5-2003 |
I was told by the dealer salesman to prefer to use Shell or Mobil Supreme. So that's what I am doing for Ferrari. No Racetrack or convenience store's gas for my car. | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
Member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 395 Registered: 8-2002 |
89 or 91 in my 308. Texaco has been good but I also use BP and Hess. Check the archives because this has been discussed a lot. There was a good thread where someone made an argument that you should use the lowest octane you can get before the car pings. | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 280 Registered: 4-2003 |
One more point on gas. Gasoline starts breaking down in about 30-45 days. Maybe somebody esle can give the technical explanation for this, but this is just one more reason to drive your car. I always try to get new gas in my vehicles (of which I have too many) at least once a month. I also use gas stations that have a lot of volume because I figure that their gas is fresher. Just my 2 cents and change | ||
| Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Member Username: Paulie_b Post Number: 646 Registered: 1-2003 |
Shell or Chevron 93 octane. | ||
| J R K (Kenyon)
Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 619 Registered: 10-2002 |
Shell Optimax 100 octane which I use. | ||
| Dave Quick (Davequick)
New member Username: Davequick Post Number: 9 Registered: 5-2003 |
Always use highestgrae available Chevron, Shell, or Mobile in that order personally... -dq | ||
| Steve (Steve)
Member Username: Steve Post Number: 456 Registered: 2-2001 |
I use Mobile Super (93)in my cars. Good high detergent gas and it keeps the carbs and FI clean. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 901 Registered: 8-2002 |
I use middle grade Shell or Amoco on my 308QV, or if not handy I'll go to Chevron or Exxon. The stock compression doesn't require nor benefit from 93 octane. | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 510 Registered: 9-2001 |
If you don't have good quality premium gas, then it's best to supplement your tank with things like Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner or a gas additive that boosts your octane level... I have found that not all premium gases are created equal, thus the sometimes wide price range for 93 premium around here... I have found that Texaco, and Amoco usually have the highest quality gas... But nowadays, who really knows with all these oil companies merging and using probably the same distributers and refineries... | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 890 Registered: 9-2002 |
Steve, I am sorry to hear that. It depends on the car also...newer (OB2) cars need 91 and above I believe, but I can't say for certain. Best bet is to use what you got, and remember to chamge fuel filters more often then normal. Which car would it be for? I am certain others would be able to tell you exactly. | ||
| Steven Duke (Sduke)
New member Username: Sduke Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2003 |
Sunoco is not available down here in Texas. Any other suggestions? The highest octane I have seen here my little dirt town is 90. steve | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 888 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yes, sunoco ultra 94...always. Higher octane reduces the chance of random pings at high rpms. Since (warm) Ferraris should be taken to high to moderately high rpms to keep them running well, high octane is recommended. | ||
| Al LaPeter (Lapeter)
Junior Member Username: Lapeter Post Number: 131 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yes on my 355 spider | ||
| John M.Pisacane (Chazferrari)
New member Username: Chazferrari Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2003 |
Also do you always use high octane? ~Chaz~ |