ONEOFEW

If the car is driven daily, weekly, or driven enough to go through a entire tank every couple of months ethanol fuel will be fine, however if you intend to park the car for long periods none ethanol fuel is the way to go.
Also keep in mind that modern cars have spesiffic air/fuel/timing maps depending on the fuel offered at the region you live in.

oldbutslow

My issue is that non-ethanol gas is sold at mostly Mom&Pop stations. Definitely not top-tier, so you don’t get the additional additive package. I’d rather have the additive package than a $1/gal up-charged 100% gasoline package. Back in my traveling sales days, I did notice a MPG increase, but it didn’t offset the cost difference.

harveyf

I agree with @oldbutslow I never see non-ethanol except at mom and pop stores. The skeptic in me wonders if it is really what they say it is? My understanding is that all the big refiners are down south and they push their product through pipelines. I'm pretty sure they couldn't be bothered with the minimal market for non-ethanol. Where does this non-ethanol come from? Moonshiners looking to break into a new market? (They distill off the alcohol and bottle it. Win win for them!)

livfreely

I can get the non ethanol from a reputable supplier (not mom & pop). The turnover is regular as this is one of the few places to purchase this octane rated non ethanol fuel. The premium most likely comes from transportation costs.

Are our cars “tuned” better for the non ethanol as that is what was prevalent then?

I am leaning in favor of the additional cleaning agents in the tier one fuel, but I am not opposed to spending the extra for long term effects.

My car is a semi daily driver.

RJ80

Even the fuel in Germany is an ethanol blend and has been for some time now, certainly going back to around the time when our 987s were new. And here on the Pacific Coast, ethanol in fuel has been a given for at least as long.

I've talked to several of my mechanics and a couple large car collection managers in the last few years about ethanol. Ethanol is hygroscopic, so it attracts water (similar to brake fluid). Because water is heavier than fuel, it collects at the bottom of your fuel system and can lead to internal corrosion and poor running. If you don't drive your 987 much (a tank every 2-3 months is a good rule of thumb, as suggested by another user), either use non-ethanol fuel or keep a smaller amount of fuel in your tank and replenish with fresh each drive (which is what I do given the roughly 80% markup on non-ethanol at my nearby 76 station). You can also try fuel "stabilizer" products designed to keep the water suspended if you have any faith that they actually work.

And using higher octane fuel than your engine is designed for serves zero purpose. More octane doesn't mean more power, it simply prevents premature detonation. The only exception is if your engine has been modified to the degree that it now needs higher octane fuel to run at peak performance, such as with an aggressive engine tune.

sasilverbullet

Yes, it's hydrophilic, but it just doesn't burn and produce as many btu's as non-ethanol, or less ethanol.

jscott82

I would agree with that, but the difference is soooo small it's really not measurable in actual use.

Ive looked extensively at the subject, specifically looking at bespoke (read:very expensive) race blends ... in the end, evem the bespoke stuff only gets you fractions of a percent gain in a stock motor. But hot damn , does it smell good.

jscott82

An aside to the original question...

At the club race level, for those with stock motors, id say most folks run pump gas from a reliable station, nothing special....
I try to pump mine into clear containers and let it settle, then inspect it, before putting it in the car...

livfreely

The last two fill ups have been the 93 non ethanol, and I will just stick with that when in town.

I will add a PEA fuel additive for my DFI every other tank.

Dave in Chicago

The Lake Speed Jr. presentation in PCA session noted earlier in this thread was very helpful. Worth a listen, very well qualified opinion.

Me, I have access to the 91 non-ethanol stuff. Year ‘round user, no winter storage.

ekam

Whatever you do, North American fuel are dirty compare to European stuff and will clog up the fuel injectors. I use this stuff regularly.

https://www.liqui-moly.com/en/us/jec...r-p003262.html

Dave in Chicago

Oops… BP not in Top Tier. My bad. 🤦‍♂️

I’ll need to move one. There is an Exxon/Mobil nearby with 91 non-ethanol. Guess I’ll be going there.

livfreely

Interesting 🤔 I would have never guessed they were not Top Tier

Dave in Chicago

Surprised me too.

livfreely

Based on this video (~5 minute mark to ~30 minute mark) I will stick with non-ethanol fuel whenever possible.