Octane Question
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: London Ontario Canada
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 886
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From: Toronto
Wow - I thought my question was super simple yet, as everything seems to be since I entered this crazy Porsche world, it was more complicated than one would first expect.
I want you to know that I just came back from a two hour drive with my 9 year old and on the way back we stopped off at Shell for some V-Power 91. The best part was, I finally knew for sure that this was the right fuel for my car.
Thanks guys - appreciate the info!
I want you to know that I just came back from a two hour drive with my 9 year old and on the way back we stopped off at Shell for some V-Power 91. The best part was, I finally knew for sure that this was the right fuel for my car.
Thanks guys - appreciate the info!
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada
yeah i've been hearing conflicting opinions about this, and i'm no expert and i have an old 951. Apparently in the US you can't even buy gas that doesn't have at least 10% blend of the stuff. Race cars run 80% or more Ethanol too... or so i've been told.
Rest In Peace Jaak
Cable Guy
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Cable Guy
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From: Don Mills, Canuckistan
If you have any small engines such as outboards, skidoos, lawnmowers etc., it's best to use Shell 91 as well. They will run better and longer. If you use ethanol fuels, they have to be re jetted to run a bit richers. There have been a bunch of snow machines who's engines have burnt out after one season. I use it in my outboards and they run great. Used lower grades which has ethanol and they ran poorly.
Rest In Peace Jaak
Cable Guy
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Cable Guy
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15,654
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From: Don Mills, Canuckistan
Wow - I thought my question was super simple yet, as everything seems to be since I entered this crazy Porsche world, it was more complicated than one would first expect.
I want you to know that I just came back from a two hour drive with my 9 year old and on the way back we stopped off at Shell for some V-Power 91. The best part was, I finally knew for sure that this was the right fuel for my car.
Thanks guys - appreciate the info!
I want you to know that I just came back from a two hour drive with my 9 year old and on the way back we stopped off at Shell for some V-Power 91. The best part was, I finally knew for sure that this was the right fuel for my car.
Thanks guys - appreciate the info!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 68
From: West of Mosport!
This depends on the race series. IndyCar of course run Ethanol and up to this last weekend we were told that it was 100% but the recent race in Edmonton where they had a car fire and you could see the flames - leads me to believe along with the commentary that they have added a small amount of gasoline so you can see the flames now. (A good thing!)
Running such a high percentage of Ethanol WILL kill your engine; however this series 'pickles' their engines every night by twisting a valve and running gasoline through the motor from a spare tank for a few minutes until the system is purged and the motor is then shut down. They reverse the process in the morning before going out on track. If you leave Ethanol in your motor it will over a very short time frame (days) start pitting Aluminum and any other alloys as well as attack plastic's and rubber.
Alcohol actually works better in turbo motors running high boost and high compression motors and has worse fuel economy for the avg motorist due to it's lower thermal output. The advantage is lower heat which racers like if they are boosting the engine out of sight.
I've used Sunoco 94 when I had too as I was almost running out of gas and no Shell station in sight, but I only did a 1/4 tank of it to get to a Shell and fill up there. I would never fill up a car and store it for six months with the stuff in the tank!
Running such a high percentage of Ethanol WILL kill your engine; however this series 'pickles' their engines every night by twisting a valve and running gasoline through the motor from a spare tank for a few minutes until the system is purged and the motor is then shut down. They reverse the process in the morning before going out on track. If you leave Ethanol in your motor it will over a very short time frame (days) start pitting Aluminum and any other alloys as well as attack plastic's and rubber.
Alcohol actually works better in turbo motors running high boost and high compression motors and has worse fuel economy for the avg motorist due to it's lower thermal output. The advantage is lower heat which racers like if they are boosting the engine out of sight.
I've used Sunoco 94 when I had too as I was almost running out of gas and no Shell station in sight, but I only did a 1/4 tank of it to get to a Shell and fill up there. I would never fill up a car and store it for six months with the stuff in the tank!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
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From: Toronto
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 886
Likes: 20
From: Toronto
Ah, thanks. 
I have only filled up a handful of times since I got the car and once was the v-Power - I just wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing.
I am getting more comfortable and confident with the car each day so that's really what makes the car feel faster to me at this point. Maybe once I get a few more months and hopefully, a DE day under my belt, I'll be able to notice performance changes better.
I have only filled up a handful of times since I got the car and once was the v-Power - I just wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing.I am getting more comfortable and confident with the car each day so that's really what makes the car feel faster to me at this point. Maybe once I get a few more months and hopefully, a DE day under my belt, I'll be able to notice performance changes better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 6
From: Mississauga, Canada
The worse is Ethanol absorbs water right from the air (it is hygroscopic), and also,
it separates from gasoline within 90 days- definitely no good for storage.
There are several documents in this site with more details.
Rest In Peace Jaak
Cable Guy
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Cable Guy
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From: Don Mills, Canuckistan
gonna hafta call you a rube for a while .... 