High Octane Unleaded

[Guest]

Thanks for the feedback I think the spectrum of preferences has been adequately covered. How's the old saying go, "opinions are like....." After carefully considering all responses I 'm going with DP's "Temple O' Beam" theory since he is a man of the cloth and would never lie especially to a ZX11 guy!

Kevtec - FYI, my buddy has a '99 Stroker Scorpion Softtail(Custom HD builder now owned by Ultra). He has (had?) a 113" S&S performance motor and ran 110 Octane leaded in it. At 5,000 miles he dumped the bearings in the lower part of the motor and the shop said the increased octane made the motor run hotter (plus in AZ in the summer) and contributed to the bearing failure? Hey I'm not a mechanic but something to watch out for. All was well in the end thanks to the extended warranty gods.

 

[OB_SoreHead]

I only have the choice of 95 and 98 octane at the pumps. As to the higher octane meaning less power I can comment on that one from my car.

Running higher octane fuel definitely ups power. While I was modifying it I ran for 1 week on 95octane (japanese import with recommended 100octane) and there was a noticable drop in power. Dynoed it at the end of the week and it was down almost 7bhp. I switched back to 98 octane and started to use an octane boosted and after the week it was up almost 10bhp on the 95octane measurement.

Can't comment on the effects for bikes but I would guess it's not too much different (if at all). Also I was running at 314bhp at the time so it will make less difference running at normal Busa power I would think.

Now I'm welling up. I put 2 years hard work into that car and then traded it for my bike, all my leathers etc and money. :-(
I miss it lots even when I crack open the throttle on the busa. Even cages have their place in my life. Not anything like the performance but 0-60 in the high 4s wasn't bad all the same. There's actually more of a sensation of acceleration (I sound like a poet) in the car. (was, sniff sniff)

 

[OB_JohnnyB]

If its not knocking (detonation) you don't need more octane. Higher octane fuels actually have less energy and burn slower. therefore all things being equal (like compression and timing) higher octane makes LESS horsepower & costs more.

Stick to 92 - 94 octane.

 

[OB_Hapo]

Rite On, Jonny B! Walt', DP get $ from computer I think...like Hapo....you got problem with that? Wanna race DP? May be he only one Hapo no SPANK!

 

[OB_GSXRTURBO1]

Turbo, well done...I'm still reading it, very informative