2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

104 octane in a N/A?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:29 PM
  #1  
Molotovman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Ban Peak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (50)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,246
Likes: 549
From: Northern Virginia
104 octane in a N/A?

I can get some of this for free, Will it benefit me at all with my N/A, or is it just bad for it? I'm talking like 2 gallons, good Idea, or bad idea? Will I see any sort of power increase, or will It just be useless like putting 93 octane in the car?

-Ian
EDIT: This would be on an 87 S4 motor with 175k original miles.

I love my 87 se.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:31 PM
  #2  
hornbm's Avatar
FD > FB > FC
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 3
From: Bothell, WA
totally useless

Alot of the N/A racer guys have special LOW octane fuel brought in. A natualy aspirated rotary is said to run best at something like 82 octane
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:32 PM
  #3  
zinx's Avatar
_________________________
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,723
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
No, you want as low of octane as you can get in an N/A. Mazda ran 85 in all their N/A rotary race cars.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 01:35 PM
  #4  
ddub's Avatar
i am legendary
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,478
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
Worst idea ever, it will only hurt you not help.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 02:12 PM
  #5  
Molotovman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Ban Peak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (50)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,246
Likes: 549
From: Northern Virginia
Thats what I thought. I just wanted to check. Does 104 octane blow up pretty good?
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 02:16 PM
  #6  
ddub's Avatar
i am legendary
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,478
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
Blow up? The higher the octane the less chances of detonation, if that's what you're talking about.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 02:24 PM
  #7  
Evil Aviator's Avatar
Rotorhead
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
The 104 octane fuel would probably add some power if you tuned for it (aftermarket fuel computer required). The octane rating itself doesn't do anything for you, but since there is no 104 octane pump fuel, it is obviously some type of race fuel that will most likely have more power. Do you know what kind of fuel it is?
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 02:35 PM
  #8  
Wankel7's Avatar
Haven't we ALL heard this
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
At least your asking first...good job

James
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 03:16 PM
  #9  
87turbomkiii's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Running 104 octane fuel in your stock(i assume) s4 is not going to do anything for you in terms of performance. Your motor was not built or tuned to run 104 octane thus making it a complete waste to put it in your tank.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 03:24 PM
  #10  
Molotovman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Ban Peak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (50)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,246
Likes: 549
From: Northern Virginia
thanks for the info, i figured it wouldnt do anyhting, because its higher octane fuel and i know its better to run 87 than say 89 or 93. My firend just told me his friend left about 5 gallons of 104 octane race gas at his house, and I could have some of it. I didn't get any yet I figured it would just make my car run like crap.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 06:33 PM
  #11  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally Posted by Molotovman
thanks for the info, i figured it wouldnt do anyhting, because its higher octane fuel and i know its better to run 87 than say 89 or 93. My firend just told me his friend left about 5 gallons of 104 octane race gas at his house, and I could have some of it. I didn't get any yet I figured it would just make my car run like crap.
It would probably run ... okay... but there would probably be considerable build up on the rotor combustion faces.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 08:51 PM
  #12  
totallimmortal's Avatar
Is that thing Turbo?
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
what if ignition timing were changed for the higher octane fuel? and would thre be more of a benifit in a s5 NA with higher compression?
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 09:02 PM
  #13  
Tofuball's Avatar
Jesus is the Messiah
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,848
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD
Changing the ignition timing effectively . . . and I guess leaning out the mixture some . . . But I donno if it would really be worth it in the end.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 09:11 PM
  #14  
SonicRaT's Avatar
Super Raterhater
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,630
Likes: 3
From: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Most race gases are leaded as well. Just run on the lowest and you'll be fine, even if you ran it and it did help, it wouldn't be worth the cost on an N/A.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 09:27 PM
  #15  
Tofuball's Avatar
Jesus is the Messiah
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,848
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD
I know the lead in gas helps keep non-hardened valve seats in good condition.
I think it is supposed to 'fill in' small scratches and act as a lubricant at times . . .
I think it kills cats and O2 sensors . . .

I wonder what leaded gas would do for a rotary.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 11:37 PM
  #16  
veryblacksquare's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: sunnyvale, CA (bay area)
would lower octanes such as 87 be better for turbos as well? or is there some sort of difference?
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2005 | 11:51 PM
  #17  
RotaryWeaponSE7EN's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 3
From: Mission,KS
Originally Posted by Tofuball
I know the lead in gas helps keep non-hardened valve seats in good condition.
I think it is supposed to 'fill in' small scratches and act as a lubricant at times . . .
I think it kills cats and O2 sensors . . .

I wonder what leaded gas would do for a rotary.
Valve seat? Ur not suppose to say that in here.....
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2005 | 12:02 AM
  #18  
sar's Avatar
sar
Doin a rebuild.
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Roswell (atl ) Georgia
Depends on boost

Originally Posted by veryblacksquare
would lower octanes such as 87 be better for turbos as well? or is there some sort of difference?
The reason why higher octane is needed to prevent pre-detonation.... when the compression and temperature of the combustion mix don't need a spark to ignite. This is why the s4 rx-7s could run 87 octane with 8.7:1 rotors, low compression on stock turbo == okay to run low octane.... but the moment you increase boost you need to make sure that your gas is higher octane.... you might need 104 octane gas if you're pushing like 30pounds of boost all day. As you increase air temperature and compression you will need higher octane. Pre-detonation spins the rotor in the wrong direction and breaks apex seal when the rotor won't move backwards.

High octane in piston engines is also actually bad for a car that does not need it. The higher octane gas will burn less which will produce less power and leave more residues.

So.... turbo rx-7 would depend entirely on how much boost... if tons, then yes, high octance.... if stock... then stick with what is recomended
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2005 | 01:17 AM
  #19  
Evil Aviator's Avatar
Rotorhead
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Originally Posted by veryblacksquare
would lower octanes such as 87 be better for turbos as well? or is there some sort of difference?
There are too many variables involved to answer that question.

If it helps, the octane rating is an anti-knock rating. The octane rating can be raised by either "watering down" the fuel, or "hopping up" the fuel. Without knowing the other statistics of the fuel, there is no way to know if the fuel will be "better" for your engine. All you really know is that a fuel with a higher octane rating will generally resist knock better than one with a lower octane rating. Generally, higher octane means less power, but that's not always the case.

Pump gas usually has the same power (18,000 to 19,000 BTU/lb), regardless of the octane grade. Often, the lower octane grade has slightly more power (18,500 vs. 18,400 for example), but I don't think most people are going to notice a 0.5% difference. Race fuel may or may not have more BTU/lb than pump gas, depending on its composition.

Detergents are also good for your engine, and race gas doesn't usually have detergents. The US government requires a certain level of detergents in pump gas, and most manufacturers use the same detergents in all of their octane grades. However, the new Shell V-Power is supposed to have the industry-leading detergents.

A stock TII is rated for 87 (R+M/2) octane.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2005 | 01:52 AM
  #20  
veryblacksquare's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: sunnyvale, CA (bay area)
thanks for the clear up guys, i just recent got a TII a month ago and wasnt to sure about subject. anyhow, thanks.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2005 | 04:22 PM
  #21  
totallimmortal's Avatar
Is that thing Turbo?
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I was wondering the same thing about leaded gas in rotaries, when the first rotaries came out leaded gas was still being use i think so was it used in rotaries?
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2005 | 10:03 PM
  #22  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally Posted by totallimmortal
I was wondering the same thing about leaded gas in rotaries, when the first rotaries came out leaded gas was still being use i think so was it used in rotaries?
Probably not, as I would guess that the build up of lead would probably eventually cause apex seal sticking.

No proof on that however as I have never seen a rotary engine that was popped open after running leaded gas.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2005 | 11:39 PM
  #23  
KingCobraV9's Avatar
Rotary engine victory
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Newburgh, IN
my car runs like *** on 87 octane but a ok on 89 why is that? its just N/A not a turbo
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2005 | 11:51 PM
  #24  
Evil Aviator's Avatar
Rotorhead
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Originally Posted by KingCobraV9
my car runs like *** on 87 octane but a ok on 89 why is that? its just N/A not a turbo
If the engine is worn, out of tune, and/or full of deposits, it may run better with a higher octane grade that reduces the knocking caused by these types of engine problems.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2005 | 11:54 PM
  #25  
KingCobraV9's Avatar
Rotary engine victory
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Newburgh, IN
o. could be true it does have 126xxx miles on it i was going to do the watter trick this weekend think that will help it?
(done thread jacking now)
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:23 PM.