fpena944

We have a big problem here in Charlotte where we are literally running out of gas. The light on my car just came on during my drive to work and I passed about 10 gas stations where either there is NO GAS or they only have limited supplies of regular unleaded available.

I know my car has a knock sensor but will using a tank of regular gas do anything other than bring my horsepower down? The temperatures are now in the mid 70s so hopefully heat-related detonation won't be an issue but unless I can use regular it looks like I won't be going to work!

eniac

Yes it will be fine to use. If it's below 91 octane just don't go racing in it. Drive it like an old lady.

jstand22

maybe add some type of octane booster? or fuel system cleaner? I'm not sure how well octane boosters are supposed to work as I've never used one but this might be a good time to try one.

thewerxracing

Is this just an s2 issue, or should Early 944's worry about lower octane induced detonation?

Techno Duck

8v non turbo 944's can run fine on regular unleaded.

jstand22

the 16V motors have a higher compression ratio than the 8v cars (maybe the 2.7 has a slightly higher one than the rest of the 8v's ) which is why the 16v cars were equipped with two knock sensors. Due to the high compression if a lower octane is used this possibility for knocking increases, I've heard of people running only 87 all the time in their 8v's and having no trouble. But you should at least use 89 or 91 I've never put anything less than 93 in my S. So to answer your question, I believe it is not as big a concern in an 8v motor, PLUS I think the early N/A's had a lower compression than laters.

fpena944

In the 6+ years I've had the car it's never tasted anything but 91-93 octane. But I guess now I'll be forced to try it out. If I hear any detonation I'll ease up on the throttle and limp to the next gas station to purchase some of that octane booster mentioned in this thread.

So it looks like my lunch break will be taken up by the search for gas...I feel like we're in Russia during the collapse of communism when the essentials were in short supply.

Giantviper

I know the 1988 N/A has a higher compression ratio and usually only run high test in it but I ahve tried 87 once or twice and it seems to run ok but seems to have less power.

eniac

Octane booster won't do much for you. It will raise 87 octane to about 87.6 octane, maybe. For an octane booster that actually works, you'd need to find a paint supply store for some Xylene or Toluene. Mixed in at ~10% for a few octane numbers higher. Last summer I ran 25% Xylene mixed with 94 octane sunoco fuel in my turbo then found E85 was a much better(cheaper) solution.

Jfrahm

If the weather is cool you should be fine. If it's blazing hot you might run out of timing authority and get some ping, but cool air works wonders. Just don't lug the engine and get some premium at 1/2 a tank or so.

-Joel.

Rock

Youll be ok.

The S2's have knock control. If it starts detonating, the knock sensor will retard the timing, and youll feel it.

Daily944

I tried that once. By the time it was said and done i was paying more per gallon then if i just got the 91 oct to begine with(not to mention most "octane booster usually *** less then 1 point). I never run anything under 91 in my S2.

J Berk

I run regular on the street all the time...and super/premium..blah..blah for the track.

I have never had any problems....never heard any knocking either.

bearone

i used 87 in the 87944S and still use it in the 951 and have no issues with knocking, starting or running.

87951
95sl320 dd

ausgeflippt951

FWIW octane boosters are a waste of money. while they may have an octane rating of well over 100, the amount they actually increase your net octane is extremely minimal. You'll go from 87 to 87.2. Oooh.