How to turn straw into gold?

[denisep]

So... it looks like I'm going to have to make do with regular gas in my fancy (needs higher than 90 octane) vehicle this weekend on our trip.

How does the octane booster work? I assume (lord that gets me into trouble) that I go to the Auto Zone and buy something that says "Octane booster" and then I put it into my tank (will it tell me how much on the label?) prior to pouring the nasty 87 octane gas in.

Please advise if it is not this simple, or if there is anything I need to know. I would hate to blow up my engine just because I'm a 'tard.

d

[Cbjr]

Originally Posted by denisep

So... it looks like I'm going to have to make do with regular gas in my fancy (needs higher than 90 octane) vehicle this weekend on our trip.

How does the octane booster work? I assume (lord that gets me into trouble) that I go to the Auto Zone and buy something that says "Octane booster" and then I put it into my tank (will it tell me how much on the label?) prior to pouring the nasty 87 octane gas in.

Please advise if it is not this simple, or if there is anything I need to know. I would hate to blow up my engine just because I'm a 'tard.

d

This is just a sophmoric explanation of the basics so you have some idea of what's going on.....

Just follow the directions on the octane boost container - I would add fuel then add the recommended amount of octane boost (just eyeball it) to match the fuel just added. It's not going to hurt anything - if you add too much. All it does is prevent the fuel from igniting/combusting under high pressure and heat- before the spark plug ignites it properly.

Lower octane fuel combusts under lower pressures - because your bike has a higher compression ratio engine, it will produce pressures that are high enough to detonate the fuel charge in the cylinder of the regular gasoline/air mixture prematurely, octane boost just raises the point of combustion due to pressure and heart..........giving the sparkplug a chance to ignite it at the exact right moment.

No worries.......

[bullzeyet]

Chuck's advise is about right. Just get a bottle or two, BUT I'd add the booster before you fill the tank. It helps the mixing action as you fill the tank.

Most of these bottles have instructions about the amounts needed and some even have markings (oz) on the side of the container to help with all the math one needs while on the road without a calculator.

Besides....I'd run it without puttin' the booster in on the 1st tank to see IF I really need it. IF your not really "pushing" the bike (hard twisty riding) you might even get away without using the stuff.

Have fun,

Bullzeyet

[kentuckytwostep]

Does anyone have a chart of what compression ratios should use what fuel (if it can be dumbed down to that point)? My car is 10:1 and GM recomments 87, my ACE is 10:1 and I use 87 octane and it runs fine.

The reason I ask, is because I've seen other information that a 10:1 should use higher octane...

[Cbjr]

Originally Posted by kentuckytwostep

Does anyone have a chart of what compression ratios should use what fuel (if it can be dumbed down to that point)? My car is 10:1 and GM recomments 87, my ACE is 10:1 and I use 87 octane and it runs fine.

The reason I ask, is because I've seen other information that a 10:1 should use higher octane...

There are other factors involved besides compression. I was just keeping it simple so denise wouldn't glaze over with boredom before she finished reading my post.

Use the fuel your manufacturer recommends - modern cars have knock sensors that will make timing and fuel adjustments to prevent knocking.
If it doesn't knock on 87 then you are getting the best bang for the buck and no damage is being done.

[tubes_rock]

My Shadow is a 10.3:1 and Honda says run 87. The compression is a small part of the picture.

You can get an engine with a 9:1 ratio to knock if it's hot out and you have advanced timing.

The thing is that sport bikes usually have high compression, run hot, and have advanced timing. All of that spells higher octane fuel, but like it was said,m you may be able to get away with plain ole 87 octane fuel if you're not hitting redline all the time and riding around in 3rd gear all day at 90 degrees.

Get some of the octane booster, and put in regular 87. If it starts to complain about it, dump in some octane booster and shake the bike side-to-side a few times to mix it in.

87 octane isn't any "dirtier" or "of poorer quality" than 93 octane. We've ben brainwashed by the media to think that 93 octane is better, and it's not. Read the Fuelology. As long as it's not pinging while you ride, there's no reason to run higher octane.

--Justin

[jpr1968]

You don't need to run an octane booster for a stock motor. Running 87 octane shouldn't be a problem. As long as it doesn't ping with 87, your fine.

[sdanville]

If it doesn't knock on 87 then you are getting the best bang for the buck and no damage is being done.said chuck.

Chuck also said use what is recommended by the people that built it. Amen.

Maybe yes maybe no.
The origional owner of my Mercedes used Regular gas.
Owners manual read to use premium.
The computer retarded the timing so no knocking.
The retarded timing clogged up all the emmission gizmo's to the point gas vapers went to the oil. oil thinned out and he burned a quart every 800 miles. He Sold it to me, I cleaned it all out, burn premium and it uses no oil.

[zikzak]

Originally Posted by tubes_rock

My Shadow is a 10.3:1 and Honda says run 87. The compression is a small part of the picture.

You can get an engine with a 9:1 ratio to knock if it's hot out and you have advanced timing.

The thing is that sport bikes usually have high compression, run hot, and have advanced timing. All of that spells higher octane fuel, but like it was said,m you may be able to get away with plain ole 87 octane fuel if you're not hitting redline all the time and riding around in 3rd gear all day at 90 degrees.

Get some of the octane booster, and put in regular 87. If it starts to complain about it, dump in some octane booster and shake the bike side-to-side a few times to mix it in.

87 octane isn't any "dirtier" or "of poorer quality" than 93 octane. We've ben brainwashed by the media to think that 93 octane is better, and it's not. Read the Fuelology. As long as it's not pinging while you ride, there's no reason to run higher octane.

--Justin

Personally, I like to run 87 with a little octane boost vs. getting 89 or 91 octane from the pump. 87 here usually does not have ethanol, and the higher octanes do. (I'm not an ethanol fan...)

I used to do fine on just 87, but since advancing my timing I need slightly higher octane especially if it is hot out. (refering to my spirit 8:1 compression).

Mark