weird... better gas mileage??
 

So, I decided to test out why exactly we need 93 octane... so I have been filling with regular lately. After 3 tanks of 89 octane, the car is running just as it was before, if not better. I am also getting better gas mileage. I used to get 18-20mpg with a mix of city and some highway driving. Now without changing my driving style and driving the same places, I am getting 23-25mpg... doesn't make any sense to me but I am paying $1.90 instead of $2.20+ so oh well. BTW stock ECU

Tom

i wanna pay $1.90... hell, ill settle for $2.20

i wish i could pay less than $2 a gallon... hell, last tank i was happy to pay under $3 a gallon for 92 octane

I've always understood that the higher Octane rating fuel produces less BTU's then lower Octane fuels therefore the lower Octane rated fuel is more potent then the higher Octane fuel. The reason race cars and modern cars use higher Octane is to keep from pre-firing (knocking) before the piston reaches Top Dead Center. This pre-detonating destroys race motors running 12/1 compression and over time will hurt new cars that run 10/1 compression. I'm guessing that somehow the outside climate is preventing pre-detonation so therefore your getting the most out of the lower octane (higher btu's) rated fuel without knocking.
A common mis-conception about Octane is that it has to do with Oxygen. Octane has something to do with the chemical make up of some fuel, 8 carbon electrons per nucleus? Something like that, Don't laugh, I don't remember all the moleculer parts.

Anyway this is how it's been explained to me, could be wrong or off a little bit so don't quote me.

Tom,
How are you running a stock ECU with LAN's S/C kit? (z32 MAF, larger injectors, etc.):confused:
-Bill

....Tealie peely is stock...
:D

Ah, the old "I'm not going to tell you which SVX I'm driving" trick:rolleyes: :D
-Bill

yeah... the teally... Good god I will never run anything less than 93 in my silver. 92 isn't even good enough:D Yeah i know how octane works and why we need higher octane but with regular prices so low i figured... hey lets see if I can save a few bucks... now I am saving money on the type of fuel and getting better mileage so i am not complaining;)

Tom

I just went the stage1 way and added the switch. Regular often, nice, when I get a nice paycheck.

2 cars taking premium is too much.

Greg:D