Fuel.....discuss

[gmw9666]

Just clicked over the 500 mile mark since having the 420SE

First few tanks of jungle juice I didn't really think about. Any thing really but I got the sense the old girl didn't like it

Last could of fills I've just been putting in the Shell V Power stuff and I have to say its going down a treat. Whether it was mapped back in the day on the higher octane stuff I don't know but its like driving a different car

Spinning the rears in 3rd was a brown trouser moment as well

She's going in for a service and fettle hopefully next week then may get it on the rolling road for a tweaking :-)

Anyone else noticed different fuels having this effect?

Discuss :-)

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate...There are massive differences in using various fuel grades...I normally use the Tesco 98ron as its local to me..However on occasions i have used other fuels from different garages..V-power and 99ron but they seem to make the car pink real bad so i have stopped using them...I also use a bottle of octane boost every 4-5 fill ups..I have noticed a few times that the wheels are spinning up a lot quicker...Even in 2nd gear..When the 280i was built they were meant to run on leaded 4 star and although they can run on unleaded its advisable that lead additive is used...However when the 350 came on the scene it too was meant to run on leaded fuels but due to the harder valve seats being used they actually run on the higher octane far better than they ever did on leaded...Total fluke really but a good call nevertheless...Ziga

[KKson]

I've only ever used standard stuff from local Morrisons. Out of curiosity I'll put some posh fuel in next time and see if I notice any change.

[stevoj]

I have put mainly tesco good stuff in, when i have put the standard morrison's in it does seem to pink easier.

[JumboBeef]

In my 6 weeks/1,000 miles of ownership I have only ever used super. I'm not going to ever use standard if I can avoid it.

It's a performance car, it deserves the best.

[KKson]

JumboBeef said:

In my 6 weeks/1,000 miles of ownership I have only ever used super. I'm not going to ever use standard if I can avoid it.

It's a performance car, it deserves the best.

As mine has a standard 350i engine with a V8 designed back in 1960 I'm not hopeful that a better grade fuel will release any more horses. Out of interest and according to Wiki the best bhp Buick got out of it back in 1961 was 200bhp. TVR with Vitesse injection managed 197bhp so despite 20 years there wasn't any notable power increase for a "standard" engine.

Has anyone ever done a rolling road comparison with only the fuel as the variable? Cheap stuff verse better grade?

[Tasmindevil]

Fuels are like whiskey, many blends, my experience is that all four of my previous TVR's and the current one disliked certain fuels, BP is an example where it starts pinking once it's run the tank down a bit but I have found Tesco, Shell, Sainsburys are fine. Whether it was my cerb or the wedge running on the premium fuels made no difference but as each wedge is individual and appear to have a character of their own it's a case of seeing what fuel suits best, I don't think there is a one fuel fits all. However if you are going to try different fuels it takes a couple of tanks to really understand the changes. Google Honest John Supermarket petrol, sorry cannot link on the iPad but interesting reading.

[Rockettvr]

Tesco 99 ron mostly for my 350. Certainly seems to run much better than on "standard" fuels - not sure about power but seems to pull smoother and more cleanly.

[jmorgan]

I dunno, still feels like the preverbal off a shovel on 95.

[voltage_maxx]

Super Unleaded all the way - car feels flat as a pancake without it, not to mention pinking under hard acceleration.

The only two Super Unleaded fuels I find are worth bothering with are Tesco Momentum 99 and Shell V-Power Nitro.
The Shell is by far the best, and makes a really noticeable difference.

The Vitesse spec 3.5 was designed to run on Leaded 4 star, and has a pretty aggressive ignition advance curve to suit.
V-Power seems to be the closest to traditional, leaded 4 star.

[ElvisWedgely]

I always use super unleaded. Performance engine runs a lot better on higher octane.

Tony.TCB

[carob]

I have always used V Power/Nitro in all my TVR so never seen any difference until the weekend. I put Esso Supreme in the Chim and it didn't like it. Ran the tank down and filled up with Nitro yesterday and it is running as per normal again.

Rob

[Waynester]

Shell V Power only.. Never used or tried anything else in my SEAC, so wouldn't know if there was a difference.
All I know is, she runs great on the good stuff!

[V8 Fettler]

carob said:

I have always used V Power/Nitro in all my TVR so never seen any difference until the weekend. I put Esso Supreme in the Chim and it didn't like it. Ran the tank down and filled up with Nitro yesterday and it is running as per normal again.

Rob

There is a website somewhere that lists the octane ratings of petrol sold in the UK, can't find it.

I think Esso Supreme and BP Ultimate are 97 octane.

[marcus1875]

I've always used Shell v power or the Tesco Ulti.
When i went down to the BAR run in April, i filled up at esso just before i got to the hotel. A few miles later the pump blew. Coincidence i know, but since then i've wondered.....
marcus

[gmw9666]

sounds like my thoughts about super / shell v power were spot on

will keep using it :-)

when she is in for a service I noticed on of the fuel hoses from the FPR is starting to crack..........good job I noticed that so can fix asap :-)

I also noticed the fuel line from the tank and return are solid / copper with just short rubber hose connectors at either end.........this normal?

[hallsie]

gmw9666 said:

sounds like my thoughts about super / shell v power were spot on

will keep using it :-)

when she is in for a service I noticed on of the fuel hoses from the FPR is starting to crack..........good job I noticed that so can fix asap :-)

I also noticed the fuel line from the tank and return are solid / copper with just short rubber hose connectors at either end.........this normal?

My FHC has flexible all the way through, but I will be changing that to cunifer when she goes back together.

Itll last a lot longer than rubber fuel hose!

Stu

[gmw9666]

hallsie said:

My FHC has flexible all the way through, but I will be changing that to cunifer when she goes back together.

Itll last a lot longer than rubber fuel hose!

Stu

I guess I should have read my service receipts........looks like Warringtons of Warwick in May 1994, 15,000 miles ago, replaced the fuel lines on mine lol.

[mrzigazaga]

gmw9666 said:

when she is in for a service I noticed on of the fuel hoses from the FPR is starting to crack..........good job I noticed that so can fix asap :-)

I also noticed the fuel line from the tank and return are solid / copper with just short rubber hose connectors at either end.........this normal?

Hi Mate...Get them ALL changed as a matter of precaution, Also do the ones on the fuel rail....Even though the plenum will have to come off its worth doing...You may as well clean the idle control valve while your at it...I have copper pipe just under the bulkhead for the main fuel line as well...Ziga

[jon haines]

My 350i has always run better on shell v power and there jungle juice is noticeably better.I had a spell of putting in tesco's stuff and it ran like a dog. I also tend to put in octane booster every few tanks and it seems to keep pinking at bay.