3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

100% Octane Fuel Safe to Run?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 08:52 AM
  #1  
YOUWSH's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
Question 100% Octane Fuel Safe to Run?

Hey guys,

I tried filling up with Shell's new 100% octane fuel with 5% Ethanol tonight. I normally just run the 98% octane and to be honest I didn't really feel much of a difference although the 100% is abit more expensive.

I'm running a Series 7 so not too sure if there are any side effects to this? I noted my car still runs a 10-9-11 after I filled up.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 09:03 AM
  #2  
clayne's Avatar
PV = nRT
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand (was California)
Octane is resistance to burn - so unless you're taking advantage of it by changing the fuel delivery and ignition characteristics of the system - nothing will effectively change. You'll have more safeguard against uncontrolled detonation, but that's about it.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 11:20 AM
  #3  
rynberg's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 10
From: San Lorenzo, California
It's not %, LOL. Unless you are tracking the car and want the extra little bit of safety, there is no need to run 100 over the 98.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 12:24 PM
  #4  
NissanConvert's Avatar
Please somebody help!!!
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 0
From: Woodridge, IL
Or if you're tuned for it, with more ignition lead/ higher boost. It sounds like you aren't so i don't see the benefit.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #5  
xthephilx's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: Rockville MD
If it's 100% octane, how can it be 5% ethanol? It'd have to be 95% octane. Duh.

If you aren't tuned for it, there isn't really any point.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 10:33 PM
  #6  
mr_squiggle_1's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Australia
Is it a jap import? (I believe it would be being a series 7) As the jap models are factory tuned to run on 100 octane, as thats the fuel that is used in japan.

I have ran many a import on 98 octane even though the jdm factory tune is for 100 never had an issue yet. If you were to get your car tuned for that fuel that would be a different story however.

- Neil
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 12:57 AM
  #7  
YOUWSH's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
Yes its a stock JDM S7. Its not the Octane that I'm concern with its the Ethanol thats has been added to it, in this case 5%.

There's been quite some debate over here with some motorist refusing to use any type of fuel with ethanol as an additive because it could be harmful so just wanted to clarify this.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 01:37 AM
  #8  
BOTTLEFED's Avatar
Freudian slip
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
From: Pocatello, ID
I would run 110%
because I always give 110% and I expect my car to give 110% as well



lol, you need to figure what octane is and how it works before you start worrying about how much to run in your car
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 03:33 AM
  #9  
YOUWSH's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
It was a typo my bad...meant to be 100 RON or 100 Octane with 5% Ethanol.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 07:19 AM
  #10  
bajaman's Avatar
Constant threat
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 39
From: near Wichita, Kansas
No one has yet to answer what his REAL question is, that being is the 5% ethanol ok to run in an FD?

This is a good question. In the marine world, you do NOT run ANY ethanol....ever....in a boat. The hygroscopic properties of the alcohol, along with its corrosive properties, means you can't run it.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 10:59 AM
  #11  
clayne's Avatar
PV = nRT
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand (was California)
That I don't know. However with the current price of gas who even has the money to run their FD?
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 11:33 PM
  #12  
Mr rx-7 tt's Avatar
rotary sensei
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,316
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Almost all the gas around here is 10% ethanol and has been for a while. Running only 5% should be fine.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 12:41 AM
  #13  
cp1's Avatar
cp1
Full Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon
ethanol is perfectly fine for your fd or for any car for that matter it also helps reduce knock much like lead used to do in the old days.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 01:24 AM
  #14  
fitzrx7's Avatar
Running Lean
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Hometown of Deland FL
Wrong.

Ethanol in the same volume is about 30% leaner than gasoline. In other words it takes 30% more ethanol to get to optimal air fuel ratio. So with 5% of that crap in your gas your car will run about .2 lambda LEANER on ethanol while in open loop operation. If you have a newer car that is closed loop all the time or at cruise in the FD this doesn't apply because the A/F sensor still reads the same, 14.7 is still optimal for ethanol so the ECU just pumps more in as long as your fuel system can supply it you could run even more ethanol.

Needless to say, I will be tuning my car on E10 93 octane here in the States. That way if I run regular gas the car will be richer, not leaner But I will probably run the regular stuff day to day if I can find it, that way the fuel in the tank isn't hygroscopic (ethanol has a nasty habit of absorbing water causing fuel system corrosion).
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 01:26 AM
  #15  
fitzrx7's Avatar
Running Lean
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Hometown of Deland FL
Originally Posted by bajaman
No one has yet to answer what his REAL question is, that being is the 5% ethanol ok to run in an FD?

This is a good question. In the marine world, you do NOT run ANY ethanol....ever....in a boat. The hygroscopic properties of the alcohol, along with its corrosive properties, means you can't run it.
Yes the hygroscopic property is bad, but the real reason you don't want to run it in boats is because it softens fiberglass gas tanks and turns the resin back to gel, and that just isn't any fun
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 01:27 AM
  #16  
rynberg's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 10
From: San Lorenzo, California
I believe Chuck (cewrx7r1) has documented on his car that it runs 0.2 to 0.3 points leaner on 10% ethanol. Anyone who knows Chuck knows that this is an accurate number.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 11:13 PM
  #17  
Sr20fd3st's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: Stow, Ohio
yea, damn ethanol adheres to water. stupid polarity.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 12:11 AM
  #18  
Tanjo's Avatar
Royale with cheese
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, by way of Poulsbo, WA
Originally Posted by mr_squiggle_1
Is it a jap import? (I believe it would be being a series 7) As the jap models are factory tuned to run on 100 octane, as thats the fuel that is used in japan.

I have ran many a import on 98 octane even though the jdm factory tune is for 100 never had an issue yet. If you were to get your car tuned for that fuel that would be a different story however.

- Neil
Its not actually 100 octane, they use a different rating. I think its equivilant to like 98 or 99.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 09:26 PM
  #19  
fitzrx7's Avatar
Running Lean
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Hometown of Deland FL
Originally Posted by rynberg
I believe Chuck (cewrx7r1) has documented on his car that it runs 0.2 to 0.3 points leaner on 10% ethanol. Anyone who knows Chuck knows that this is an accurate number.
Damn.

I actually did the math. Should have just looked up "ethanol" and "cewrx71" for user name and I would have saved some brain pain
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
Jul 1, 2023 04:40 PM
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
Nov 17, 2015 05:57 PM
rx7brandon
General Rotary Tech Support
3
Aug 16, 2015 10:55 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:04 PM.