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Pros and Cons for 100 Octane at the Track?

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Old Feb 25, 2012 | 10:39 AM
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Pros and Cons for 100 Octane at the Track?

Had a great time at Laguna Seca on Friday (see other post).

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...see-track.html

At the track, they had 100 Octane available (at $9 per gallon -- Ouch ). I thought about trying it out for the afternoon sessions, but ended up going with the regular stuff. For our cars (i.e. 996TTs -- mostly stock), is there a lot of benefit to running race gas? Any down sides (other than to the pocket book)?
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 10:59 AM
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I run about 2 gals of 100 with every fill up. The difference in performance is dramatic. I can imagine what a full tank would be like. The only downside I find other than cost (8 per gal) is how the cars now runs when deprived of the tweaked mix.
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 11:03 AM
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Octane does nothing but hurt performance unless it is required to control detonation.

So unless you have the ability to increase boost or change timing you are throwing money down the toilet.



Oxygenation is another thing though. It can seriously increase performance but it too has some very serious dangers.


Simply put --> run what your car is set up or tuned to run, any less risks engine damage, any more risks damage to ones cash balance.


So many people think octane is the thing that makes power in race gas, all it does is control the explosion. how quickly fuel combustion takes place is dependent on so many factors that encompasses built & tuning. More compression or more timing requires a slower or more controlled fuel burn.

So if you have a modified engine or the weather is colder or _______ and you engine is adjusting timing to control knock you just might notice a performance increase.
 

Last edited by Engine Guy; Feb 25, 2012 at 11:17 AM.
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by '02996ttx50
I run about 2 gals of 100 with every fill up. The difference in performance is dramatic. I can imagine what a full tank would be like. The only downside I find other than cost (8 per gal) is how the cars now runs when deprived of the tweaked mix.
Where do you buy the 100 octane?
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Engine Guy
Octane does nothing but hurt performance unless it is required to control detonation.

So unless you have the ability to increase boost or change timing you are throwing money down the toilet.



Oxygenation is another thing though. It can seriously increase performance but it too has some very serious dangers.


Simply put --> run what your car is set up or tuned to run, any less risks engine damage, any more risks damage to ones cash balance.


So many people think octane is the thing that makes power in race gas, all it does is control the explosion. how quickly fuel combustion takes place is dependent on so many factors that encompasses built & tuning. More compression or more timing requires a slower or more controlled fuel burn.

So if you have a modified engine or the weather is colder or _______ and you engine is adjusting timing to control knock you just might notice a performance increase.
I figure that by adding a cpl gals of 100, I'm merely bringing the octane up to the OEM recommended 93, rather than the basic 91oct we have at most pumps in Kali.

Surely, your not saying that there is no discernible increase in performance by doing that? My imagination isn't that good. Doesn't the ecu adjust depending upon what you're running, fuel wise?
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by PAULUNM
Where do you buy the 100 octane?
Hey Paul..
Just down the street. One of the joys of suburbia. That and the fresh blacktop heh...
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by '02996ttx50
Hey Paul..
Just down the street. One of the joys of suburbia. That and the fresh blacktop heh...
Hmm, I might hit the canyons this weekend- where exactly? Could be fun!
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by '02996ttx50
I figure that by adding a cpl gals of 100, I'm merely bringing the octane up to the OEM recommended 93, rather than the basic 91oct we have at most pumps in Kali.

Surely, your not saying that there is no discernible increase in performance by doing that? My imagination isn't that good. Doesn't the ecu adjust depending upon what you're running, fuel wise?

You very well could be feeling a gain. It is about testing; emperical tests could tell you fact from fiction. If your car is retarding timing the added octane could very well free up some HP.
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 12:27 PM
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Interesting perspectives -- One reason I asked is because someone I met at the track with a Boxster Spyder said that the 100 Octane made a huge difference in his car. As far as I know, his car is stock.

I was wondering whether different models of Porsches (specifically, the 996TTs) were tuned to take advantage of higher octane gas -- or if, as stated, you'd just throw money down the drain. BTW -- the regular gas was $6 per gallon at the track so the difference wasn't that big.
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 12:36 PM
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my car is tuned for both, race and 91 octane. it all depends on the tune.. if your car is stock, can't tell no signature, 91 or 93 is fine.. if you tune your car with a dual file like mine, the car will pull timing on regular, and add with race or higher octane... i feel a huge, huge difference!!! i would think that on a hot day adding a few gallons to the tank wouldn't hurt....
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 12:45 PM
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I would think it is a safety measure more than anything - especially on a hot day.
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by mod mike
my car is tuned for both, race and 91 octane. it all depends on the tune.. if your car is stock, can't tell no signature, 91 or 93 is fine.. if you tune your car with a dual file like mine, the car will pull timing on regular, and add with race or higher octane... i feel a huge, huge difference!!! i would think that on a hot day adding a few gallons to the tank wouldn't hurt....
Thanks Mike. The only thing I have is the EVOMSit flash. I don't know if that would take advantage of higher octane gas. The Boxster Spyder I was referring to was basically stock -- that's what got be curious about this. So a tune is needed to take advantage of higher octane?
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 01:23 PM
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yes.. the car needs to have more timing in order to use the fuel correctly....
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by PAULUNM
Hmm, I might hit the canyons this weekend- where exactly? Could be fun!
unocal @ chesbro/101 but i'll have to miss the canyon run. car going in for spring cleaning monday. wheels/tires and all new stuff ..sorry for the thread drift... back on point..

i don't know if my ecu flash has different files for differing octane levels on it or not, but it sure takes advantage of higher octane fuel instantly. i hate the associated cost, but now that 100 is at my normal pump i cant resist.
 
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Aerodude
someone I met at the track with a Boxster Spyder said that the 100 Octane made a huge difference in his car. As far as I know, his car is stock.
he's not overstating his case.
 


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