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[smkymtnboy]

aviation fuel might be an alternate to the 7.50 a gal race fuel. i run it in a stock 1970 mach 1 428 scj. no problems! it will be aabout half the costs of racing fuel. get it at the local airports fbo operator.

[Screamin]

Warning! leaded gasoline can "melt" your catalytic converter...

jb

Uh oh  . No worries here. 

[SBB]

Warning! leaded gasoline can "melt" your catalytic converter...

jb

Must be why the first 900 miles on the 09 SEUC there was no Cam II 110 in the tank.
Then the FatCat was installed and the stock pipes hung from the ceiling.
And that was 18K miles or 10 months ago.

SBB

[grc]

Leaded gas won't melt your converter, the lead just coats the catalyst and makes it unable to perform it's job.  The thing that will melt a catalyst is excessively rich mixtures that cause the cat to run extremely hot as it burns off the excess fuel.

Unless you're running some major compression or timing, excess octane is just wasted.  If you record some history from the ECM and find the knock sensing system is retarding the spark, then higher octane will improve power and performance.  Otherwise, it's just money blowing out the tailpipe.  It is also a good idea when using racing fuels and lubricants to verify all the necessary detergent ingredients are included.  Racing engines that get torn down every 500 miles don't need that stuff, but your street engine surely does.

As for the original question, yes I have seen a difference in performance many times when using a different brand of fuel.  There can be large differences in the amount of alcohol used by various refineries, which will affect driveability.  There is also the freshness factor, since some stations sell very little premium the stuff tends to sit in those tanks for a really long time.  And then you have the "accidental" dumping of the incorrect grade into the premium tanks.  Midgrade or regular sold at the premium price will tend to ping a little more than the good stuff.

Jerry

[SBB]

aviation fuel might be an alternate to the 7.50 a gal race fuel. i run it in a stock 1970 mach 1 428 scj. no problems! it will be aabout half the costs of racing fuel. get it at the local airports fbo operator.

I run Cam II 110 in all 4 bikes and the scooters.

I keep a "Handy" tank in the bike garage full of it and don't pay $7.50.

SBB

[SBB]

  Otherwise, it's just money blowing out the tailpipe. 
Jerry

But OMG Jerry, it smells so good!

SBB

[smkymtnboy]

   what jerry saying about the additives and lubricants is correct. that is the reason i perfer avgas. aviations fuels have additives and lubes and 110 octane. and also smells so goooood! at least what is sold at the airport i buy from does.

[grc]

But OMG Jerry, it smells so good!

SBB

Yeah, I know Chip.  I still remember how gas used to smell back in the good ol' days, and it really did smell good.  If you take a big whiff of the stuff they call gasoline these days it's almost enough to knock you down or make you puke.

Jerry

[HD Street Performance]

The stock motor 110 needs 91 octane
If you run race gas with lead say bye bye to your O2 sensors in short order.

[SBB]

The stock motor 110 needs 91 octane
If you run race gas with lead say bye bye to your O2 sensors in short order.

Dewey

What's your definition of "short order?"
5 miles, 500 miles, 5000?

 

SBB

[Gecko]

Leaded gas won't melt your converter, the lead just coats the catalyst and makes it unable to perform it's job.  The thing that will melt a catalyst is excessively rich mixtures that cause the cat to run extremely hot as it burns off the excess fuel.

Unless you're running some major compression or timing, excess octane is just wasted.  If you record some history from the ECM and find the knock sensing system is retarding the spark, then higher octane will improve power and performance.  Otherwise, it's just money blowing out the tailpipe.  It is also a good idea when using racing fuels and lubricants to verify all the necessary detergent ingredients are included.  Racing engines that get torn down every 500 miles don't need that stuff, but your street engine surely does.

As for the original question, yes I have seen a difference in performance many times when using a different brand of fuel.  There can be large differences in the amount of alcohol used by various refineries, which will affect driveability.  There is also the freshness factor, since some stations sell very little premium the stuff tends to sit in those tanks for a really long time.  And then you have the "accidental" dumping of the incorrect grade into the premium tanks.  Midgrade or regular sold at the premium price will tend to ping a little more than the good stuff.

Jerry

Thank you.  I can't believe the number of people who think the higher the octane rating the more power their engine will make.   Octane is detonation resistance, not heat energy.  If you don't need it you won't use it.

[miker]

Ditto

 

I am partial to a little marvels mystery oil and lead substitute in the Oldsters gas, smells nice... 

[SBB]

Ditto

 

Aw Mike, you know the "Oldster" would look good with grey pipes.

SBB

[miker]

I like em a little on the sooty side... 

[grc]

Thank you.  I can't believe the number of people who think the higher the octane rating the more power their engine will make.   Octane is detonation resistance, not heat energy.  If you don't need it you won't use it.

Thank you as well.  Actually, depending on how the higher octane rating is achieved, you can wind up with less energy per gallon.  It's a classic case of marketing trumping science, with oil companies still to this day advertising premium as if it was some sort of magic elixir.  It is, but not for the consumer.  The magic is how they convince so many folks to waste the extra 20 cents or more per gallon.  First, the oil companies put the good detergent additives only in their mid and premium grades and sold folks on the need to "upgrade" their fuel from the cheap crap.  Unfortunately for the oil companies, the automakers went to the EPA and caused some new regulations to be added requiring detergents in all grades to prevent injector clogging and subsequent emission system problems and repairs.  We got tired of paying to clean peoples injectors due to the gums and varnish, and for once the government supported the auto industry and the consumer against the oil companies.  That still hasn't stopped some oil companies from trying to sell excess octane by implying the high priced stuff cleans injectors and valves better.  If the amounts required by the EPA clean well enough to maintain the 100,000 mile emission warranty, why do I need more?

Now if we could just get Harley to learn how to design combustion chambers so you don't need 91 octane and retarded spark for a measly 9:1 compression ratio......

Jerry