What petrol do you use ?

What petrol do you use ?

Author
Discussion

RCK974X

Original Poster:

2,521 posts

148 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
Fuel Survey.....

Guys - what grade of petrol do you use ???

I'm out in the sticks here in NZ, and my local garage has just stopped selling 98, and now sell 95 as their 'Super' and 91 (standard), all unleaded. The BP ultimate here is 98, but has 10% ethanol in it. So I'm wondering what Wedgers use, and their experiences. (ethanol + unleaded burns differently, faster I think, than 4 star)

Does you engine even notice ? Pink/Detonate? Run rough ? Did you retard the timing ? That kind of thing...

I guess we need separate categories for 2.8, 3.5, (std) 3.9/4.0/4.5 (TVR), Turbos/Supercharged/Specials ??

I reckon this will be useful for all wedgers to consult - please add your views.

Mine (1982 DHC - 2.8, std) - will probably redo now, but for the 98 Octane, timing retarded to about 10 degrees instead of 12, and disconnected vac adv. Pinks about 2200rpm ish with vac adv connected.

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
Hi mate..When i had the 280i i used to use 97ron and my timing was set to around 9.5 degrees, I never had any "Pinking"...However if i used 95 then it would.
For the 350i i use 98-99ron ..The timing is set to 3 degrees..It don't like it any higher..I did think that i might of had cam wear but after putting her on the Dyno and seeing 180bhp then i thought otherwise, It was concluded that the timing marks are probably out a couple of degrees..Cheers...Ziga

Wedg1e

26,760 posts

264 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Boggo Tesco 95RON in my 390SE, the dyno didn't mind it wink

Waynester

6,324 posts

249 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Only ever use Shell V-Power, which is 99 RON I think?

It may all be in my head, but both my SEAC and Focus ST feel like they run better with it.

KKson

3,395 posts

124 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
I normally use standard 95 in the 350i. I do occasionally fill her with BP Ultimate at 97 Ron and it does seem to run a tiny bit faster and sweater but it might be my imagination.

c pryor

227 posts

181 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Good old leaded 4-star is the ONLY fuel mine doesn't 'pink' on. Trouble is, it is tricky to find now.

gmw9666

2,734 posts

199 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Waynester said:
Only ever use Shell V-Power, which is 99 RON I think?

It may all be in my head, but both my SEAC and Focus ST feel like they run better with it.
Ditto

ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
I have ever only used 77 or 99 in any TVR I have ever ownned. I believe, performance car, high octane fuel.

Tony. TCB.

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
ElvisWedgely said:
I have ever only used 77
WTF is that?....Mind you lately i have been using a 1:7 ratio of diesel to petrol and it goes like stink....It stinks....smile

ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
ElvisWedgely said:
mrzigazaga said:
WTF is that?....Mind you lately i have been using a 1:7 ratio of diesel to petrol and it goes like stink....It stinks....smile
Sorry. Typing error. 97 or 99 octane, is what it should have said. It just shows even I make mistakes.

Tony. TCB.

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Only messing with you mate...I knew what you meant....smile

mark387mw

2,174 posts

266 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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KKson said:
I normally use standard 95 in the 350i. I do occasionally fill her with BP Ultimate at 97 Ron and it does seem to run a tiny bit faster and sweeter but it might be my imagination.
Same for me and I'll say it's not your imagination smile

Rockettvr

1,804 posts

142 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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100 RON in mine - 99 in the tank and 1 behind the wheel smile

Jonah666

90 posts

119 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Same for me a couple of tanks of 95 then a tank of 97/99 to perk it up a bit!

adam quantrill

11,535 posts

241 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Waynester said:
Only ever use Shell V-Power, which is 99 RON I think?

It may all be in my head....
You aren't supposed to sniff it Wayne ;^)

I use Morrisson's bog standard 95 RON with a whiff of Castrol octane boost if I can be bothered.

maston

872 posts

151 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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mrzigazaga said:
ElvisWedgely said:
I have ever only used 77
WTF is that?....Mind you lately i have been using a 1:7 ratio of diesel to petrol and it goes like stink....It stinks....smile
roflroflrofl

bradderztvr

364 posts

146 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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I tend to use Super unleaded or what ever the highest octane is. Think you guys are right seems to be a bit nippier.
I did religiously put a lead additive in as I believed all the Rover V8's have soft not hardened valves, but I thought only doing low mileage each year now wouldn't effect it too much. So don't tend to bother now, or should I ?

jmorgan

36,010 posts

283 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Wedg1e said:
Boggo Tesco 95RON in my 390SE, the dyno didn't mind it wink
Ditto. Tuned up for it, Mr engine builder reckoned I would need a very accurate stop watch to see the difference.

Number 7

4,101 posts

261 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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I've only ever used super in all of my Wedges - of course, if the ignition timing isn't adjusted to get the benefit, its a waste of money. Even Mrs. Number 7's Figaro requires Super!

ed_crouch

1,169 posts

241 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Agree with the above - the ignition timing needs to either be knocked up a bit for it or the ECU needs to be programmed for good knock control.

Mk5 Golf GTI - does 50 miles LESS on a tank of 95RON than 99RON. I didnt believe it either, but it turned out to be correct. Some cars won't care, but an ECU designed for screwing top horsepower out of the hardware will perform better with more RONs.