Race Gas, Yay or Nay?

[a.p.barron]

This is kind of a noob question, but I have to ask. I recently came across a place that sells race gas that has an octane rating of 104. I'm curious as to what would happen if I filled my NA up with a tank. Would it benefit at all? Would it go kablamo? Anyone ever done it?

Thanks,
-Alex-

[BigTDogg (MA)]

No kablamo, but no benefit either.

[Chattzx]

It would make no difference. Idk why people think it would. If your car is made to use race gas and you use 87 octane then yes it will make a difference but since yours is meant for 91-93 it will yeild no results.

[marty1mc]

It will actually make a huge difference, in your wallet. The car being an NA, nada...

[BigTDogg (MA)]

BTW, simply adding race gas to a TT does nothing also. You have to make a change for there to be an increase in power. Race fuel lets you run higher boost, and or more advanced timing. Those factors are what gain you more power.

On an NA, if you had a dry shot of nitrous, and wanted to use a bigger shot, race gas would do something.

[a.p.barron]

Aww, and here I was all excited.

So how much of a difference does using race gas and advancing your timing a bit make? Has anyone ever done anything like that?

-Alex-

[Rich@RDZ]

If you have to ask, then you are not ready to start fooling with timing. This can be a dangerous move when you don't know exactly what you are doing.

[a.p.barron]

Well since I asked such a noob question, that's probably a good indication that I'm not going to be messing with the timing any time soon. I'm just hoping the more experienced guys can drop some knowledge so others, like myself, can absorb it.

[xclusivez32]

i believe on tt.net there is an article on advancing timing and someone on here posted a topic too search around im sure youll find it

[carsonsowers]

Next weekend Im putting my n/a on a dyno and ill do a run with the timing at 15 then with it advanced as far as i can with out spark knocking. I'll post the graphs on here of both runs.

I found this a few days ago and it helped alot

http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Articles/ ... /index.php

[es.biggs]

I think I posted that link on here before lol

Basically all octane rating means is how much heat the gas can absorb before it ignites. Engines with high compression like ours, 10.5:1, need a high octane rating because the gas gets compressed a lot before the spark plug fires to ignite it. That compression heats up the fuel and air in the combustion chambers. If regular 87 is used, the fuel will compress as the piston reaches the top of it's stroke and the mixture will ignite before the spark plug fires -- because of how much pressure the fuel is put under (because of the high compression). The low octane rating can not stand up to the heat and the pressure that the fuel is put under.

That phenomenon is known as spark knock, pre-ignition, detonation, etc. There are a few names for it. But it is VERY damaging to the bottom end of a car because it makes TWO explosions in the cylinder (one when the fuel is compressed and it ignites, and again when the spark plug actually fires.) These explosions, one after another like that, are detrimental to the pistons and rod bearings.

Turbo engines have a lower compression usually but they have a huge amount of air being forced into the combustion chambers. That also means more fuel. So the extra air that is being forced in means the fuel and air is already under pressure in the cylinders, so when the piston moves up, the mixture can be (depending on boost level) put under MUCH more pressure than in any NA engine. So they need the higher octane too.

[a.p.barron]

Thanks for the info and the links guys.

@ carsonsowers: I'm definitely looking forward to your results.

[vulcanrush]

race gas, like marty said, is also not cheap...100 octane is like 8 bucks+ per gallon here, and q16 is like 14 bucks+ per gallon.

i'm complaining about 3 bucks+ for 93 octane.

[es.biggs]

Gas prices suck man

[carsonsowers]

Me too. I accidentally had my timing set to 30deg when i first got my car. and it was a rocket compared to it a 15. But there was some spark knock. Im kinda scared im gonna blow my fresh motor, but Im more curious about how much power is just waiting in there to be had. If its alot, I'm saving for meth injection, and ill advance it more.

[Jeff B]

If there is a fair amount of power to be had, wouldnt multiple maps like the specialty Z controller
https://specialtyz.com/shop/300zx/sz-ec ... ector.html
be worthwhile? 1 map for 93, 1 for race gas and 1 for valet mode (or a stock map)
That way you run 93 daily, and then if you fill up with race gas you can switch over to the higher powered map for racing.

[vulcanrush]

for the op, Jeff, not worth it. for a tt so you can run more boost, sure.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

If there is a fair amount of power to be had, wouldnt multiple maps like the specialty Z controller
https://specialtyz.com/shop/300zx/sz-ec ... ector.html
be worthwhile? 1 map for 93, 1 for race gas and 1 for valet mode (or a stock map)
That way you run 93 daily, and then if you fill up with race gas you can switch over to the higher powered map for racing.

Doesn't work for NAs. For TTs, sure. But there's no point for multiple maps in an NA.

[Jeff B]

for the op, Jeff, not worth it. for a tt so you can run more boost, sure.

I knew a TT would be worth it so you can crank the boost. Just didn't know how much power was to be gained with timing advance on an NA