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

Listen up NA guys (octane rating)

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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 11:57 AM
  #1  
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Listen up NA guys (octane rating)

Here is a technical service bulletin I found that confirms the use of lower octane gasoline in NA engines.


Category Applicable Model/s

4 All Models
w/o Turbocharger
Subject:
USE OF REGULAR UNLEADED GASOLINE
Bulletin No. 054/89
Issued 2/20/89
Revised
DESCRIPTION

It is recommended that REGULAR UNLEADED gasoline be used in all Mazda vehicles NOT equipped with a turbocharger. All non-turbocharged Mazda vehicles are designed to perform best when REGULAR UNLEADED fuel is used.

Due to the low volatility of some SUPER UNLEADED fuels, an overlean air-fuel condition may occur especially when cold. This may result in start and driveability problems.

We urge you to NOT recommend the use of SUPER UNLEADED gasoline to your customers. Also, if a customer complains about a rough idle after starting, inquire as to what type of fuel the customer has been using as a first step in troubleshooting.

So for all you non believers, there it is, straight from Mazda.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 12:04 PM
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RX7Tuner.'s Avatar
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If this was cut and pasted, isn't it a little strange that they used:

"4 All Models"

I just would have assumed the people that write TSB's don't substitute "4" for the word "for". I don't know, seems a little unprofessional.

Brian

Rx7's 4 ever
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 12:07 PM
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That bulletin is 18 years old. I'm not sure I understand what's going on here.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 12:11 PM
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I have an ISB (Icemark Service Bulletin).

Originally Posted by Icemark
If LittleCon had searched he (or she) would have found that anything more than 87 octane on a stock FC motor actually is more likely to cause problems, and will actually result in less HP.

See the octane rating has absolutely nothing to do with BTU or power output. The only thing higher octane numbers do, is make it harder to pre-ignite. It makes the burn slower. Higher octane does not contain any additional power or performance unless the motor was designed or tuned to run on a higher octane (and even then the additional power is only a result of higher compression or boost along with computr processing).

In fact (more so on a non-turbo) you want the gas to ignite as easy as possible. Lower octane on a rotary with less than a 10:1 compression actually burns cleaner and faster than a higher octane.

So using higher octanes on a stock motor will result in increased deposits on the rotor faces(which could result in pre-mature engine failure), less power, and less money in your wallet.

So why would you waste the money and buy anything but 86 or 87 octane???
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 12:37 PM
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Very Simple, like ICEMARK said

Lower the Octane the easier it is to ignite (NA)
Higher the Octane the harder it is to ignite (Turbo)

I thought this was some given info that everone should no.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by RX7Tuner.
If this was cut and pasted, isn't it a little strange that they used:

"4 All Models"

I just would have assumed the people that write TSB's don't substitute "4" for the word "for". I don't know, seems a little unprofessional.

Brian

Rx7's 4 ever
It was category 4. Then there was a big space then all models. haha. Copy and pasted a little funny.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 03:18 PM
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Thread Fails.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by NoviceRotaryTech.
Thread Fails.
Is that so? I tend to disagree. This is real proof it's better to run 87 octane over a higher octane in na applications. People can now use this information however they want.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 05:01 PM
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I have a 90 GTU and I can't run anything but 91 or 93. If I put a lesser octane in it, it runs like ****. And 89 is worse than 87. I get a loud tapping sound when I use cheap gas. And whenever i use 91 or 93, it goes away.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 05:18 PM
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HMMM you ^^^^ my friend, might have a different problem.

The n/a rotary engine wasnt designed to use 91 octane... make sure everything else is working properly, and also, is your motor stock?
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 05:23 PM
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I thought everyone knew that?

also it isnt just mazda vehicles, its any naturally aspirated vehicle with low to moderate compression ratio. anything under about 10:1.

pat
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 07:01 PM
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what happens when you port the motor? still ok to use 87 octane?
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 07:17 PM
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geez...can you guys read? does porting change compression ratio?

no, no difference with ported motor.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 07:25 PM
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some older engines with big carbon deposites on the rotor faces might effectively raise their compression, causing a pinging or predetonation on regular gas.
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Old Jan 25, 2007 | 08:01 AM
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It's my understanding the TSB's are entered by non-Mazda people (mechanics or whatnot).
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Old Jan 25, 2007 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by gxlspeeder
Is that so? I tend to disagree. This is real proof it's better to run 87 octane over a higher octane in na applications. People can now use this information however they want.
Thread fails cause its common knowledge.. or at least its supposed to be

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...t=octane+n%2Fa

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...t=octane+n%2Fa

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...t=octane+n%2Fa

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...t=octane+n%2Fa
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