Optimax in Evo

[beano1197]

quote:Back in WW2 when we got our hands on 100 octane fuel, Spitfires suddenly developed more bhp, flew higher and flew faster.

Can't refute first hand experience - how did you get on with the rationing, though??


Running away..................fast!!!!

[Mad Dawg]

quote:
higher octane rating = bigger bang which in my book certainly means better running at least. R...

'This isn't true - the higher octane just means that the fuel has a greater resistance to "knock" in the research engine. The only reason this can mean more power is if it allows you to advance the ignition further, not something any TVR does automatically.'

I go along with the bigger bang theory - ie more chemical energy per ml. Back in WW2 when we got our hands on 100 octane fuel, Spitfires suddenly developed more bhp, flew higher and flew faster.

octane rating is purely a measure of the ability of the fuel to withstand 'knock'. A higher octane fuel may have a higher calorific value, or it might not - the two are not necessarily related. However a higher octane rated fuel allows you to run a higher compression ratio and more advanced ignition timing = more efficiency / more power.
right, lesson over, lets