When to use race fuel?
 

So when is the appropriate time or hp level when you need to start using race fuel all the time? There is a gas station nearby that sells VP race fuel at the pump (103 to 105 octane). Is that about the right octane for race fuel, and will it protect my engine and give me greater hp? At $3 a gallon, it cost $50 for me to fill up. I didn't really notice any increased hp, just safer state of mind, thinking I wouldn't knock (possibly detonate) as easily.

It would be a good thing to actuly do a 30/60 mix of 100+ octane and 92 octane all the time as it will prevent dentonation more then just 92 octane. If it wasn't so exspensive I would run a mix of 50/50 all the time. but mostly I do 30/60 every other tank if I can afford it at the time............


30% 100+ octane
60% regular 92 octane pump gas

You dont have to use it. 93+ should be fine if you're stock or lightly modded.

I believe it really depends on your boost levels that you are wanting to run. I don't think the race fuel is going to do anything but empty your pockets if you are running less than 14 PSI, but I could be wrong.

What about octane boost, such as 104+, etc.? Is it good or bad to run in the FD3?

Lets put it this way, it definently wont hurt it.............. =]

I've heard that when an octane booster, like NOS octane booster, says on the bottle "increase 7 points", its actually .7 points. So one bottle on 93 octane gas is about 93.7 octane. A definite marketing scam.

unless you are above 20 psi then you dont really need race fuel as long as your car is tuned.

If you track your car (I mean a crooked track, not a 1320-ft straight away), you should definitely use high octane race gas, or at the very least--octane boosted Sunoco 94!

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

Higher the octange the cooler the motor is going to run. So if you live at low elevation and its hot out side it will help your car from denation. Also it would be good to use at a track due to the high stress on the motor from heat.

Below 14 psi or so, i see no NEED to do it, although if you have the money, it certainly couldn't hurt.

As for the 60/40 suggestion, i think thats a good idea, taht way you don't spend $50 filling up. Its certainly a better way to boost octane than a worthless octane booster that only helps marginally

Its all very dependent on boost, not horsepower. FOr instance i'm running 12 psi on my t-78, and producing 355rwhp, whereas someone with a different settup, may have a similar hp # at 16-17 psi, and would therefore have to be more concerned with detonation and therefore have a greater need for race fuel.
Soon i'll be running 17-18 psi, and i definitely plan on going with someting higher than 93 octane, maybe a 70/30 mix or somethign like that.


Just my $.02

I am running 18psi on pump gas, and have had no problems at all. The most important part is tuning.