Just wondering if you guys had done a trial and error with the store brand gas stations even if an elle cheapo or you stick with the bp's, amoco's, hess, exxons? I have always pretty much stayed with the latter but just wondering cause I might just start saving that maybe .08 cents or so per gallon if they are all the same. I use premium by the way in the stang
Any Particular Gas Fellas?
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JJ95GTID
Active Member
i guess u havent tried the other general store brand fuels and see how the car ran on it like el cheapo, marquette, kangaroo, ect.
earleys94gt
Active Member
I use Shell 87 octane in the Mustang. I saw nothing that says premium required, unlike my Volvo that requires it due to the high pressure turbo.
As far as why Shell, I have a Shell card and it is on my way home from work. Plus I like supporting Dutch companies for some weird reason.
As far as why Shell, I have a Shell card and it is on my way home from work. Plus I like supporting Dutch companies for some weird reason.
JonezySN95
Member
LMAO I pictured a facial expression while reading that one. I prefer shell as well. I seem to get better MPG with it. Sure its a little more per gallon but who cares when you up your mpg by 25%.
9646gt
Member
All y current cars seem to run best on Shell. At this altitude the s2000 I had and my Wifes Acura don't even want to start worth a damn with anything but Shell it seems. It is good stuff for sure. When I get the crappy gas on base the car runs crappy and takes longer to start.
I always buy gas from a big gas station such as Racetrack or Quick Trip. The gas itself all comes from the same place for a locality. Here in Atlanta, it all comes off the pipeline from the gulf coast. Different franchises supposedly add their own additives to make a difference, but I'm dubious. My logic is that a large gas station that power sells fuel all day is going to have a fresher supply with more deliveries. Probably nothing of value in that either though.
Kurt
Kurt
ratio411
Founding Member
Is your engine built to specifically use high octane?
If not, you are hurting your mileage, power, and longevity using too much octane.
The fuel companies want you to think higher octane is some magical formula that gives you more power, economy, and even cleans your engine, but it doesn't. That is all marketing.
Octane rating is a rating of the fuel's volatility.
Higher octane is harder to ignite and burns slower.
That is required in some high pressure (boosted) or high compression engines, to prevent piston meltdown, or preignition (combustion timing issues).
However, when used in your average street engine, the fuel does not burn completely, wasting it, losing potential power, and crudding up your engine/exhaust/cats.
Just a heads up.
Use the lowest possible octane you can use without detonation/preignition.
I usually ran a name brand station with high octane 93 like Shell, Mobil, Chevron, etc. We do have some crap gas stations like Cumberland Farms and even some 7'Eleven gas stations I wouldn't even put in my lawn mower.
I avoid Mobil, Arco, Exxon and the smaller stations like Thrifty here in SoCal. Shell is good for Premium for the Cobra clone, but I prefer Union 76 or Chevron for the GT. Arco and Mobil gas seems to lower the SOTP feeling a bit, and I swear the engine sounds a bit different.
ratio411
Founding Member
The big thing is to use stations that are very busy.
High turnover of the fuel supply keeps you from getting bad gas or contaminants.
There are gas stations I avoid due to getting water in gas and such, and they are all low volume.
Always have good luck with very high volume stores.
High turnover of the fuel supply keeps you from getting bad gas or contaminants.
There are gas stations I avoid due to getting water in gas and such, and they are all low volume.
Always have good luck with very high volume stores.
I have always heard that a modded mustang with pretty decent mods needed to run premium
ratio411
Founding Member
If those mods significantly increase cylinder pressure, like a turbo, supercharger, or increased dynamic compression (Not static, because a cam can reduce pressure.), then you need increased octane. It all depends on the build.
Don't bolt on an intake, headers, big TB, and get a tune, then think you need 93.
Even a H/C/I car shouldn't need 93 if the short block is stock or spec'd out like stock.
Aluminum heads actually decrease octane requirements, so don't worry about those...
Heck, even headers lower octane requirements the better they flow.
well i would have to get more opinions on that. I mean can u tell from my sig which end of the spectrum my setup would be according to your theory?
95 V6 converted GT/SALEEN. Trick Flow heads, Crane CR 444231 (supp to be same as E), FR 1.6 Roller Rockers , Edelbrock Performer RPM 2 intake, 24 lb injectors, Mac shortie headers, Basani X-pipe with 2 chamber flowmasters,75 mm Mass Air, 70 mm TB, 3.55 gears, MSD 6AL with coil,
95 V6 converted GT/SALEEN. Trick Flow heads, Crane CR 444231 (supp to be same as E), FR 1.6 Roller Rockers , Edelbrock Performer RPM 2 intake, 24 lb injectors, Mac shortie headers, Basani X-pipe with 2 chamber flowmasters,75 mm Mass Air, 70 mm TB, 3.55 gears, MSD 6AL with coil,
ratio411
Founding Member
What is your compression ratio?
I don't belive the E-cam is a pressure building cam...
The aluminum heads will allow you an additional point of compression over iron while maintaining the same fuel.
The shorty headers don't help much, but a little.
Timing does affect things as well...
ratio411
Founding Member
It's all about trial and error then.
Find the distributor timing that gives you the best results, then run 87 for a while.
Listen for detonation/preignition, check your plugs for it as well.
If you don't have it, great, if you have signs, jump up to 89 and see if it goes away.
If not, then try 91/92 if that is an option in your neck of the woods... and so on up to 93.
Find the distributor timing that gives you the best results, then run 87 for a while.
Listen for detonation/preignition, check your plugs for it as well.
If you don't have it, great, if you have signs, jump up to 89 and see if it goes away.
If not, then try 91/92 if that is an option in your neck of the woods... and so on up to 93.
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