Question on quality of pump gasoline
 

It has been more difficult lately to find Sunoco gas stations (I've been using the Sunoco Ultra, 94-octane ). And some of the Sunoco's around here have sporadically been out of the Ultra.

So, what (brand, etc.) do you think is another good, high-quality, consistent pump gasoline? Or at least, the least likely to have put regular in the high-test tank?

Thanks for any responses.

That Sunoco 94 octane is great stuff, isn't it? But the number of states offering it has declined because of tightening govt. regulations.

The alternative is one of the top tier gasolines. Shell seems to be the favorite of car enthusiasts judging by the cars I see showing up at the pumps.

Check out the rationale for using one of the top tier brands at:

www.toptiergas.com

Sunoco FTW!!! There are a couple around here but they do not carry 94 any more:icon_no2:. But i see that they have up to 10% ethanol in it and wondered if that changes the flash point and if it would take more to detonate? That would be cool but kinda doubt it.

No such gasoline.... I don't trust any pump. Either mix with race gas or use AI or both.

-J

Dave, you're fortunate. PA stopped selling Ultra 94 last year. Ever since I've been using Sunoco 93 or Shell 93. Chevron premium is pretty good stuff too, but there aren't Chevron stations in my area.

Trouble is that you still can't know what the local store manager had put in their hold tanks. I'm told that my state is now testing gasoline for quality (octane) but I'm sure that's nowhere near comprehensive enough to change any bad habits.

Dave

I go about 5 miles out of my way to fill up. I refuse to use the Hess gas they put in the tanks on post.

fwiw, my Mini Cooper S is very sensitive to fuel. It runs best on Shell. I don't notice a difference in my FD but don't monitor A/F ratios or anything of that nature.

I think Chuck Westbrook might have posted some interesting data on past threads about fuel if you feel like looking for them.

i have always used hess 93 octane with 10% ethenal...thats the best that i've found in my area

There's a 66 near my home that carries 93 octane. I don't have many choices here in corn country after that.
Have I mentioned what a scam ethanol is?

In CA we have 91 and a select few areas have 100. Since I'm about 15mi from one of these stations I take a 5 gallon race fuel bucket and fill it up, then add one gallon of 100 to every one tank of 91 making what I hope is a 93 octane mix.

91 octane is the best you can get around here these days. Conoco is one of the more prominent suppliers. Also, there's a huge chain of convenience stores called Quick-Trip that has 91 octane, it seems to be very good fuel. About the only other choices are BP, which only has 91 also as their 'premium' fuel.
There used to be Shell, Amoco, Texaco, Apco stations that sold 93 octane, but those all seem to be gone.
Sad.

I can get 93 in SC but in the last six months they have added 10% ethanol. I have not had any issues but have heard that if you run hard could cause you to run lean. Not good if you really push it.

Same QT's here. I tuned to them. They say that top-tier stuff so i'm assuming it's safe to run. The BP's around here used to have 92 but went to 91 last summer...:wallbash:

Does anybody have the answer to what the 10% ethanol does to the flash point and what it means for the high hp guys running on pump gas? Alky injection maybe in my future since i will be running more boost on my stock twins and do not want to detonate due to bad gas. It's google time to try to find a good answer. Here is some reading on the 10% ethanol http://www.moscowfood.coop/archive/ethanol.html
Still doesnt answer my question but some good info about it.
Another link but still not sure about my question
http://www.motorcycleperf.com/techtips/gasoline.htm
Think i found an answer
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3717489
They said it does raise the flash point which means it does help fight detonation so i was thinking it is like having a tiny bit of alky injection but in your gas?

I use shell v-power only in the FD. Used hess last summer, made my car stutter in higher rpm's. Not bad but you can def feel a miss at WOT.

A shell in my area just starting using 93 for their premium grade, 91 mid, and 89 regular. Every single other gas station is 87,89, and 91 for the premium.

i have to use 93 Octane from the Cumberland Farms around here... i have no idea on the quality of the gas tho...

That's why you should use one of the top tier brands. They meet more stringent standards for the base gasoline stock and the additive package. The higher level of detergent in them should help to keep your fuel injectors spraying in the proper pattern. A few of the convenience store brands meet this higher standard.


TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:

QuikTrip
Chevron
Texaco
MFA Oil Co.
Conoco
Phillips 66
76
Entec Stations
Shell
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Co.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets
Mileage Stations
Chevron Canada
Shell Canada
Petro-Canada
Sunoco Canada

country i live in best u can get is 91 octane and thats $1.22/litre :crzyeye:

Great info! Thanks, everyone!

Dave

auto ignition temperature

gasoline (race gas or pump) 660 F

alcohol 858 F

a very good reason to visit the Auxiliary Injection Section which now has a fair amount of rotary oriented AI info.

should you wish further info go to the #1 single AI source... Turbobuick.com the sub-section is entitled "Alcohol, Propane and Nitrous" but is all about alcohol. there are over 400 threads. you say you aren't driving a Buick? think again, it all, including the tuning, is translateable. why not listen to people who have already made the mistakes you will make.

http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/al...s/index10.html

if you want to know AI make the investment and start at page 1.

or run without AI and blow your motor. the quality of pump isn't going to get any better in the forseeable future.

AI= zero knock at any boost level. almost.

howard coleman

+1 for vpower. I've felt a difference switching from other 93's.

Shell V-Power
 

I am going to try the 93-octane Shell V-power. That seems like the best alternative around here, plus it's in the "Top-Tier" listing.

Thanks, again, for the suggestions!

Dave

Dave, I'll weigh in as I'm a bit closer to you. I've had good experience with Shell as you suggest and supposedly their 93 is pure gasoline and not an ethanol blend. I have noticed that Shell 94 by me is now a 10% blend, but have not seen any adverse performance from it....yet.

If you're running a PFC it's always a good idea to keep a close eye on knock counts for a while after you fill up to make sure that nothing seems out of the ordinary. I usually test this by doing some low boost (0-5 psi) longer pulls on the highway (such as if you were speeding up to pass someone) and check the counts.

I also believe that while the brand is obviously important, the particular station you get it from is paramount as well. Look for a well trafficed area so you know that the tanks are turned over fairly often. I've had good success with the local UDF that they just put in by my house (Mobil gas) which sees steady traffic and has nice clean new tanks.

ultimately though Howard is right. If you're looking for lots of reliable power on pump then go AI

I'm not looking for BIG HP. I'm probably less than 270 RWHP (310 crank).

My mods are in my signature. I just feel that i ought to run the best gas I can, within reason.