Baggypants

In the non too distant future I'm going to be importing a 96/97 RX7 from Japan. I've paid a lot of attention to what you guys have to say about reliabilty mods, running costs etc etc and feel quite happy that the extra attention the car seems to need is an obligation thats worth it.
The one detail that I need an answer to is the question of Octane Levels.
In the UK the maximum octane fuel I can purchase at Shell service stations is 98.6. Whilst all 'other' service stations usually have 97 octane.
Now, considering I'm importing this car from a country that uses fuel a couple or so octane points higher, is using a slightly lower octane level going to be any kind of a problem?

Thanks for any help guys

JoeD

you will be more than fine with 98 octane. actually, you are VERY lucky. we get a max of 91 octane here is Cali.

7 eleven

Th eoctane level that is common in Japan is 100 but, it is a different system than ours in the US. it works out to about 95-96 on our system. I'm not sure abuot UK but you will be fine.

DK

iTrader: (5)

Basically here's what's up as I understand it from friends in the military in Japan who deal with "shitty base gas." The Japanese computer will have two maps in it, one for the really high octane that Japan has and one for lower octane (which I still think is higher than our "premium" gas in the US). Your ECU will probably just choose the lower map and you'll be happy and fine.

RonKMiller

Ok, here is the definition of Octane, pure and simple:
It is the ability of the fuel to resist pre-ignition, that mini nuclear explosion that sends a shock wave through your engine at supersonic speeds (really!) at exactly the wrong time, aka the killer of rotaries (or any other engine for that matter.)

You only need to purchase the highest octane that your engine will run on without "knocking". By buying a fuel with more octane than you need you are only wasting your hard earned money. You will not go any faster, you will not have more power, you will not have better combustion. You WILL enrich BP, and at the prices you blokes have to pay for gas it can hurt alot each time you fill up! Running too high of an octane can also have detrimental effects over time.

The problem with rotaries is that since they are so quiet and smooth it is very hard to tell when it is "knocking" and by that time you have probably done some damage to the engine! You are equipped with a knock sensor to retard timing but who knows if it is working properly!

Listen carefully to your engine under mildly heavy throttle at say 25 mph in 3rd gear. You are trying to gently "lug" the engine to get it to knock. If it does, buy higher octane fuel and try it again. It it still knocks buy a new knock sensor - the stock sending units have been known to cook.

WHO

Damn your lucky the best gas we get here at the pump is 93.

If you look in the owner's manual it says to use just that if I remember well, 93. or was it 94? whatever, you'll be just fine but I would definitely follow the advice of getting a knock sensor you do NOT want to sucker detonating on you!

Baggypants

Thanks for the replies fellas. Helpfull as ever. BTW how much will a new knock sensor cost approx'?

WHO

at the local shop here, which is INCREDIBLY expensive, the J&S Knock sensor was $1250 CAD ... about $750 USD
again this was like over a year ago, prices have dropped since and I remind you this guy is expensive as hell. But I didn't really shopped the parts since over here we get screwed with shipping and duty fees if we order from US.