Comprehensive Test Regular vs Premium

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dibbons

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Just for us, they should have included a carb/non-computer controlled vehicle as well:


gas.jpg
 
Dibbons-

Great video to watch.

Makes you think- here in the US 1 Gallon of regular fuel is 3/4 gal fuel and 1/4 gal detergents but 1 Gallon Premium fuel is 1/2 gal fuel and 1/2 gallon detergents. LOL! exaggeration for sure but you get the point.
Joe
 
Premium, higher octane is good for higher compression engines/ racing as an anti-knock agent. Beyond "premium" is race gas. Unfortunately, our beloved 'A' bodies with 10/1 compression fall into this category. I recently did a resto rebuild of a 1968 383 and we brought down the compression a 1/2 point because of the gas. Also in the rebuild am running a roller cam due to 'modern' oils. The world is changing and I am still learning.
 
I think we knew that already.
As car junkies, most of know this, proper octane for the need of the engine. As far as how much the engine exhales pollutant partials in parts per million, it would be hard to find anybody here who would know since such testing equipment is far and few between us all.

The regular average John Q. Public citizen hasn’t a clue and is only left to ether trust or not in the (as seen on the video) commercials.
 
At 5:40 the dyno is showing 6 Hp "just to turn the wheels" ( regular or premium) isn't that the HP to turn the dyno IE the load on the dyno is 6HP just freewheeling or that is the minimum load the dyno can load up.

Is it just me or did the tech say that the engine would be more "Proficient" on premium.

An engine that has a knock sensor should be more efficient with a higher octane assuming the lower octane would create a ping situation.

Thoughts?
 
Granted, the testing may be flawed, I think they found data they already had decided to prove a point with.

Let's see some quarter mile ET's regular vs premium.
 
Granted, the testing may be flawed, I think they found data they already had decided to prove a point with.

Let's see some quarter mile ET's regular vs premium.
Good note. Not covered by the reporter. Which isn’t a surprise. The net work itself probably has a time limit in investigative reporting and a limit on what is going to be presented.

The test between 87 & 91/93 on a drag strip test would be for that car only considering the wide and varied perameters for that and vs other engines.

I can’t find a difference between the recommended 89 & my use of 87 on my ‘18 Ram 5.7. So 87 goes in.
At 5:40 the dyno is showing 6 Hp "just to turn the wheels" ( regular or premium) isn't that the HP to turn the dyno IE the load on the dyno is 6HP just freewheeling or that is the minimum load the dyno can load up.

Is it just me or did the tech say that the engine would be more "Proficient" on premium.

An engine that has a knock sensor should be more efficient with a higher octane assuming the lower octane would create a ping situation.

Thoughts?

On modern cars, the m with the reporter. Use ‘87. On our cars that are well modified, it would depend on a ton of factors and the level of modifications made.

A few fellas here have claimed running a lower than what I would recommend octane in the high compression engines. If it works, run with it. If it pings, go back upwards. It’s really that simple.

On power required to maintain 50-60 or 70 mph, it was never ever much. Everything else after the few scant HP needed to maintain speed is heavy for passing cars or getting on the Hwy quickly.
 
Where we live in Australia we have regular at 91 octane E10 at 95 and premium at 98 octane. Why are these numbers so much higher than yours? I have been told there are two different ways to assess. one is Mon and one is Ron!
 
Lol!
To call what we are supposed to buy “fuel” is silly. It’s really now take a gallon of gasoline and how many times can we cut it down with fillers to make a buck and still make it work?

The tv commercials act as if they have scientist making very in-depth chemical research to get you the best and cleanest fuel possible. I secretetly envision a room full of drug dealers now employed by the major fuel companies cutting fuel like they did cocaine in the early 80’s.
I crack my self up- sorry for the parity.
Joe
 
Lol!
To call what we are supposed to buy “fuel” is silly. It’s really now take a gallon of gasoline and how many times can we cut it down with fillers to make a buck and still make it work?

The tv commercials act as if they have scientist making very in-depth chemical research to get you the best and cleanest fuel possible. I secretetly envision a room full of drug dealers now employed by the major fuel companies cutting fuel like they did cocaine in the early 80’s.
I crack my self up- sorry for the parity.
Joe

I couldn`t watch it all-----
 
In California we have "winter blend" and "summer blend". Same octane rating. Different color, different smell. Same price. I don't believe any of the hype.
 
Winter fuel is allowed higher RVP than summer fuel. Makes for easier starting in cold weather and uses cheaper components. Get days with 80*F+ plus air temps and winter fuel and the lighter parts of that fuel are vaporizing. Drivability will go down. Vapor lock issue become more likely. Hot days and winter fuel are just bad news for us. May 1 is the mandatory date for refiners to supply Summer fuel. BUT, retailers have until June 1 to be fully switched over. Some states do not give E10 fuels extra allowance for higher RVP even in the areas which must sell reformulated fuel.
Date of switch to summer-grade gasoline approaches - Today in Energy - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Gasoline-characteristics-street-pump-then-and-now

Fuel composition also varies with region. There's dozens of differerent requirements throughout the US and Canada, and so different formulations. Some of the requierments come from the EPA, some from the engine and vehicle manufactuers, etc. The mandated ethanol is just one of those requirements. Some states even have drivability requiments (good for us).
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For a good overview of gasoline read this:
http://www.chevronwithtechron.ca/products/documents/69083_MotorGas_Tech_Review.pdf
Topics include:
Gasoline and Driving Performance
"do." and Air Quality
Refining and Testing
Oxygenated fuels
Engine Deposits
Handling Safety
They also have a booklet on Av gas -but I don't have the link handy.

If you see references to Tier II EEE gasoline, that was a fuel created for the purpose of having a testing standard. Although siimilar, its not the same as what is sold for public use. For example in this study by Durbin et al
 
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