General Automotive Discussion General automotive discussion and chat. Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford. It doesn't matter, just talk about it here.

87 octane sucks.. use 90 or better...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 3, 2005
  #1  
WannaBFast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Prowlin' with a Purpose
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rep Power: 339
WannaBFast will become famous soon enoughWannaBFast will become famous soon enough
87 octane sucks.. use 90 or better...




so use 90 octane or better... im gonna try to figure out what fuel treatment will clean that stuff out...

oh.. for those who dont know, that is carbon buildup from the craptacular gas...

that is what it looked like after about 63k miles
Old Mar 3, 2005
  #2  
cambo's Avatar
I wish I was asian
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,083
Likes: 0
From: chantilly, Virginia, US
Rep Power: 337
cambo has a spectacular aura aboutcambo has a spectacular aura about
how often did you push your car?
Old Mar 3, 2005
  #3  
civic_luvr's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
civic_luvr is an unknown quantity at this point
use 90 or better

i use that some times and it is great way better than 87!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but sometimes seems like the gas burn faster.
Old Mar 3, 2005
  #4  
WannaBFast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Prowlin' with a Purpose
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rep Power: 339
WannaBFast will become famous soon enoughWannaBFast will become famous soon enough
i did my share of spirited driving, so the head, valves, and spark plugs are squeaky clean and free of carbon buildup
Old Mar 3, 2005
  #5  
darklegacy540's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 989
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Rep Power: 0
darklegacy540 is on a distinguished road
Wow.. what mods are you running?
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #6  
nookiemonster's Avatar
RESIDENT ROTOR HEAD
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,207
Likes: 0
From: , Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 328
nookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of light
Honestly, higher octane will likely make it worse. Higher octane fuel has a higher resistance to combustion, in order to prevent knocking and detonation on highe compression/FI cars. You'll get a whole lot more carbon build up with a higher rating than what you need.

Just get a rotary
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #7  
WannaBFast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Prowlin' with a Purpose
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rep Power: 339
WannaBFast will become famous soon enoughWannaBFast will become famous soon enough
the motor was completly stock, it had an intake, downpipe/test pipe, exhuast
and vafc2...
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #8  
typeRDreamer's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
typeRDreamer is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by nookiemonster
Honestly, higher octane will likely make it worse. Higher octane fuel has a higher resistance to combustion, in order to prevent knocking and detonation on highe compression/FI cars. You'll get a whole lot more carbon build up with a higher rating than what you need.

Just get a rotary
Then what makes the higher octane better? why is it a "higher grade"
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #9  
dre2600's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton
Rep Power: 0
dre2600 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by nookiemonster
Just get a rotary
What he said

Maybe running rich or something?

Originally Posted by typeRDreamer
Then what makes the higher octane better? why is it a "higher grade"
Higher octane just implies less resistance to compression, so if you're running a high compression engine (ie: any kind of FI or a high-strung NA) you'd want higher octane gasoline so you don't get premature detonation (read: pinging). Its not really a 'grade' implying that one gasoline is inferior and the other superior, gas companies probably make a killing from people putting premium grade gas in cars that only req. 87 octane.

Last edited by dre2600; Mar 4, 2005 at 12:23 AM.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #10  
nookiemonster's Avatar
RESIDENT ROTOR HEAD
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,207
Likes: 0
From: , Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 328
nookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of light
^^^Exactly...

Put it like this...there are two things that can cause an explosion with a chemical like gasoline. One being a spark, which is the most controlled way, and the other being through sheer compression/force (the way large diesel trucks ignite their fuel). When you are running large compression numbers, naturally, the fuel will try to combust, and this can be bad, especially if the piston is still on it's way back up to top dead center. When this happens it causes a disturbance in the natural reciprocating motion of the piston, and the piston essentially slaps around inside the cylinder. This is what you hear when your engine knocks or pings. In extreme cases, you can throw a rod. This is why tuning and premium octane is key in FI or high compression applications.

Your civic however, will see no benefit from this fuel. It is not "cleaner" than regular, it is only a slower burning type of fuel. You'd be wasting your money. If you're that concerned, look into some of the fuel additives that will help clean engine parts. From what I understand Chevron "with techron" helps alot...carbon build up is just the nature of the beast I'm afraid.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #11  
WannaBFast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Prowlin' with a Purpose
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rep Power: 339
WannaBFast will become famous soon enoughWannaBFast will become famous soon enough
well higher octane burns cleaner and less carbon build up than the 87 cause it burns more stoich... altho i could probablly blame this **** on the ethanol that they add in the gas so it dont freeze
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #12  
nookiemonster's Avatar
RESIDENT ROTOR HEAD
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,207
Likes: 0
From: , Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 328
nookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of light
^^^I haven't heard this, but I have heard that higher octane burns at a lower temperature than lower octane fuel.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #13  
WannaBFast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Prowlin' with a Purpose
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rep Power: 339
WannaBFast will become famous soon enoughWannaBFast will become famous soon enough
Originally Posted by nookiemonster
^^^I haven't heard this, but I have heard that higher octane burns at a lower temperature than lower octane fuel.
yes, because it burns at a lower temp, it allows for all the excess fuel to exit the cylinder... as opposed to caking onto the piston...
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #14  
Boggie1688's Avatar
Diamond Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Rep Power: 0
Boggie1688 is an unknown quantity at this point
What do different octanes mean?
Different gasolines are rated on their ability to resist knocking. The actual octane number is a measurement that gauges the gasoline's ability to resist knocking. Higher octane levels indicate anti-knock potential. In most cases, light pinging or knocking will not cause power loss or severe harm to vehicles. However, heavy or prolonged knocking may cause engine damage and should be checked by an automobile mechanic.

Do premium grades of gasoline really keep your car performing better?
Your vehicle should perform at its best when the appropriate level of octane is being used for the engine in which it is being combusted. There is no benefit to using gasoline of a higher octane than the engine requires to perform knock-free.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #15  
jttegx's Avatar
OMNES AD UNUM
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,855
Likes: 0
From: NOR-CAL
Rep Power: 334
jttegx has a spectacular aura aboutjttegx has a spectacular aura about
how many miles on your car?

that looks ugly. but its hard to back up your thesis that 87 octance gasoline was the only or even a part of the cause.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #16  
TemjinX2's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 321
TemjinX2 is a name known to allTemjinX2 is a name known to allTemjinX2 is a name known to allTemjinX2 is a name known to allTemjinX2 is a name known to allTemjinX2 is a name known to allTemjinX2 is a name known to all
Originally Posted by Boggie1688
What do different octanes mean?
Different gasolines are rated on their ability to resist knocking. The actual octane number is a measurement that gauges the gasoline's ability to resist knocking. Higher octane levels indicate anti-knock potential. In most cases, light pinging or knocking will not cause power loss or severe harm to vehicles. However, heavy or prolonged knocking may cause engine damage and should be checked by an automobile mechanic.

Do premium grades of gasoline really keep your car performing better?
Your vehicle should perform at its best when the appropriate level of octane is being used for the engine in which it is being combusted. There is no benefit to using gasoline of a higher octane than the engine requires to perform knock-free.

he's right. The manual even saids use 87.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #17  
CivicHX01's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,101
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 0
CivicHX01 is an unknown quantity at this point
^^actually the manual says to use 86, but 87 is the lowest we have have...
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #18  
flotsamm's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 2
From: 4o8, California
Rep Power: 311
flotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to beholdflotsamm is a splendid one to behold
My understanding is that higher octane fuel has more oil in it, which causes more carbon build up. I've heard that if you run higher octane fuel, over time it can burn out your cat converter since the unspent fuel collects in the converter and basically sits there and burns.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #19  
dre2600's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton
Rep Power: 0
dre2600 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by WannaBFast
yes, because it burns at a lower temp, it allows for all the excess fuel to exit the cylinder... as opposed to caking onto the piston...
That just doesn't make any sense. First off, why is there excess fuel in the cylinder. Secondly, why would it 'cake' onto the cylinder, liquid fuels don't cake, if you're running rich as hell there will be carbon buildup, but your conclusions are kind of skewed.

All gas sold burns in the correct stoichiometric proportions for the engine it is designed to run in. If Honda sold an engine designed for 87 octane and everyone who put in 87 octane got fouled pistons I don't think they'd last very long as a car manufacturing company. Also, if a gas company sold gas that didn't burn properly (as gas refineries, etc. are subject to government regulation) they wouldn't last very long either.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #20  
WannaBFast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Prowlin' with a Purpose
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rep Power: 339
WannaBFast will become famous soon enoughWannaBFast will become famous soon enough
well most gas stations in my area have oxygenated gas, basically its gas with ethanol

the oxygenated fuel doesnt burn as clean, and almost always makes the car run rich
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #21  
Excal's Avatar
blah™
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,620
Likes: 0
From: Largo/Seminole, FL
Rep Power: 0
Excal is an unknown quantity at this point
From my understanding you should do a gas treatment atleast once a month run a high octane to clean everything out. But u should run higher octane then 87 all the time. It will burn the *h*t out of your injectors and then you gonna have to replace those.

I know its not even comparing our cars to a pt cruiser...but my father in law bought a brand new pt cruiser and ran 93 in it all the time. After 3 months of having the car it burnt the injectors up and the stupid dealer nor my father in law knew why it was doing it until the 4th time it happened and he told me about it and i asked him what kind of gas he was putting in there. He told that to the dealer and they said that was why they was burning up. Hes been running 87 ever since and havent had a problem.

But I know running high octane all the time isnt good for fuel injected cars. Throw some gas cleaner in there ever so often and maybe a tank of 93 ever so often will clean everything out well. No need to run anything higher than 87 all the time.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #22  
TurboDieselDrew's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
Rep Power: 0
TurboDieselDrew is an unknown quantity at this point
Use the recommended octane... nothing higher.

If you are worried about buildup and fuel quality, use this:
http://www.lubecontrol.com/fuel.htm

Its a fuel treatment that actually will help you car.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #23  
Boggie1688's Avatar
Diamond Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Rep Power: 0
Boggie1688 is an unknown quantity at this point
well most gas stations in my area have oxygenated gas, basically its gas with ethanol

the oxygenated fuel doesnt burn as clean, and almost always makes the car run rich
What is oxygenated fuel?
Oxygenated fuel is gasoline blended with oxygenates like ethanol and MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether). What that means is that the gas contains more oxygen so it burns cleaner, significantly reducing auto-exhaust emissions, particularly carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in older-model vehicles. Newer-model vehicles have sophisticated engine-control systems that minimize the benefit of having more oxygen in gasoline. In addition, refiners can make other changes to the composition of gasoline that achieve similar emission reductions without the use of oxygenates. Currently, federal regulations require oil companies to produce and sell oxygenated fuel year-round in many major cities in the U.S. State regulations also require oxygenated fuel in the winter for cities that have carbon-monoxide problems.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #24  
Civic_RedLine's Avatar
im stock now! T.T
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
From: CA
Rep Power: 290
Civic_RedLine will become famous soon enough
DO NOT USE ARCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
put that on this title. 87 octane ok just dont use cheap gas. Use at least mobil, chevrom,shell, 76 none ofthat arco, texaco, mini mart cheap stuff.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #25  
Civic_RedLine's Avatar
im stock now! T.T
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
From: CA
Rep Power: 290
Civic_RedLine will become famous soon enough
manual says use 87 but its not required. 91 octane burns cleaner what you talking about building up more. tha ts waht higher gas is for because it burns way cleaner.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #26  
Zzyzx's Avatar
Autocross Junky
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,211
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Rep Power: 381
Zzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond repute
How many times must we go through all this....?

Octane rateings are all about compression resistance. The higher the Octane the higher that gas's resistance to spontaniously combust under preasure. Thats it. it doesnt have "More energy" it doesnt burn Cleaner, it isnt even a better gas (Gasoline companys are REQUIRED to put the same detergents in all of their grades of gas). So go ahead, Buy your 91 Octane... wase your money. I'll be putting around on 87... Saving for more Race tires.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #27  
usafstud's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Rep Power: 296
usafstud will become famous soon enoughusafstud will become famous soon enough
I run 87 octane on my CIVIC and my CBR(12:1 comp ratio)
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #28  
Civic_RedLine's Avatar
im stock now! T.T
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
From: CA
Rep Power: 290
Civic_RedLine will become famous soon enough
Originally Posted by Zzyzx
How many times must we go through all this....?

Octane rateings are all about compression resistance. The higher the Octane the higher that gas's resistance to spontaniously combust under preasure. Thats it. it doesnt have "More energy" it doesnt burn Cleaner, it isnt even a better gas (Gasoline companys are REQUIRED to put the same detergents in all of their grades of gas). So go ahead, Buy your 91 Octane... wase your money. I'll be putting around on 87... Saving for more Race tires.
how much could you possible save? 20 ce nts per gallon? wow, that means you get to save a buck or two per fill-up. whatever you guys say, no one has convinced me to go back to 87...I still think I get a better burn rate with my 91... I cant do 87.. 87 is just for n/a cars.
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #29  
Zzyzx's Avatar
Autocross Junky
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,211
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Rep Power: 381
Zzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond reputeZzyzx has a reputation beyond repute
Note that in Every single last one of these links Regarding OCTANE ratings, the only thing that is compaired is the Anti-Knock Index...

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petro...ne_grades.html
http://chemistry.about.com/library/w...abyb100401.htm
http://www.petro-canada.ca/eng/prodserv/fuels/6823.htm
http://www.citgo.com/Products/FuelGa...lineGrades.jsp
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=gasoline
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/octane.htm
http://www.smu.edu/newsinfo/releases/99267.html
Old Mar 4, 2005
  #30  
usafstud's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Rep Power: 296
usafstud will become famous soon enoughusafstud will become famous soon enough
Originally Posted by Civic_RedLine
how much could you possible save? 20 ce nts per gallon? wow, that means you get to save a buck or two per fill-up. whatever you guys say, no one has convinced me to go back to 87...I still think I get a better burn rate with my 91... I cant do 87.. 87 is just for n/a cars.

WOW, then YOUR the biggest dumbass on this site



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:57 AM.