Racing Fuel and Power Increase - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

UCI CamaroFan · 12-02-2009, 12:54 AM

So, I have been doing some research on putting a high octane fuel into cars and seeing if they net any power increases.

Some people say it doesn't do anything because the tune hasn't been changed on the car, and others say that it is actually worth something if you plan to drive the car hard.

Does anybody have a personal take on this? I'm just curious, as I found a place that sells 100 octane gas close to me.

jeffny09 · 12-02-2009, 01:05 AM

i would like to know this

Banshee · 12-02-2009, 01:28 AM

Don't waste your money.

two_wheel_mayhem · 12-02-2009, 01:31 AM

Higher octane fuel burns slower, which causes a horsepower loss compared to lower octane.

Rule is, use only as high as necessary.

Oxygenated racing fuel is an exception. That crap they sell near your house isn't oxgenated. If it contains lead it's a definite no-no in your car.

HDDAN · 12-02-2009, 06:52 AM

Octane is knock resistance. A higher compression engine is more prone to knock or detonation which destroys engines. Our SS's are designed for 92 octane. unless you raise the compression ratio and start to expierence detonation, you will gain nothing from using race gas.

CamaroSS1969 · 12-02-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDDAN

Octane is knock resistance. A higher compression engine is more prone to knock or detonation which destroys engines. Our SS's are designed for 92 octane. unless you raise the compression ratio and start to expierence detonation, you will gain nothing from using race gas.

Actually, this question could be classified as a maybe.. Even if detonation isn't present, higher octane fuel can improve power because of its special fuel chemistry that promotes improved combustion efficiency. Improved combustion efficiency means that more of the gasoline is being burned in the combustion chamber thus making more horsepower, less is being burned or expelled in the exhaust.

Your probably just burning $4 gas for minimal gains..

acatlover13 · 12-02-2009, 07:07 AM

I've always been told they will destroy the catalytic converter? Any thoughts?

CamaroSS1969 · 12-02-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acatlover13

I've always been told they will destroy the catalytic converter? Any thoughts?

If the fuel contains lead it will damage oxygen sensors and catalytic converter.. If the high octane fuel comes from a gas station it won't have lead. Now racing fuels and aviation fuels have lead in them..

Rogue Leader · 12-02-2009, 08:08 AM

100 Octane is likely not leaded, but using it in an engine not tuned for it (advanced timing) is just a waste. Where you could see gains is if you used a turbo or supercharger and wanted to crank up the boost a bit. Of course that would stress the rest of your engine, but it could be fun. In my 89 TTA was able to run 19-20 lbs of boost on 100 octane vs the stock 17 lbs.

QBert · 12-02-2009, 09:37 AM

It makes a noticable difference in the Shelby but not in the Camaro.

12-02-2009, 12:54 AM	#1
UCI CamaroFan Zot! Drives: Toyota 4Runner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 1,317	Racing Fuel and Power Increase So, I have been doing some research on putting a high octane fuel into cars and seeing if they net any power increases. Some people say it doesn't do anything because the tune hasn't been changed on the car, and others say that it is actually worth something if you plan to drive the car hard. Does anybody have a personal take on this? I'm just curious, as I found a place that sells 100 octane gas close to me. __________________

12-02-2009, 01:05 AM	#2
jeffny09 Drives: 2010 camaro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: new york Posts: 5,618	i would like to know this __________________ top 10 reason why real men drive stick. 10. A manual transmission is the ultimate in control 9. You can use automotive jargon and not sound like a total tool 8. You can't spell "manual" without "man" 7. Manual transmissions prove you can do more than one thing at a time 6. You can't drift in an auto 5. You can't pull fancy moves in an automatic 4. You get better fuel economy with a stick 3. You’ll never look like a chump if you can drive stick 2. Manual transmission cars are faster 1. Women like a guy who is good with his hands.

12-02-2009, 01:28 AM	#3
Banshee Institutionally Insane Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 2,115 View My Garage	Don't waste your money. __________________ It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?

12-02-2009, 07:07 AM	#7
acatlover13 Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Camaro IOM/IO Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lynn Haven, Florida Posts: 3,054 View My Garage	I've always been told they will destroy the catalytic converter? Any thoughts? __________________ ECC on Facebook 2010 Camaro SS/RS IOM, IO interior, Custom Striping, Razzi body kit ADM CAI w/scoop/Dynatech Headers & Hi-Flow Cats/Solo Performance Exhaust, FTI 3600 Stall/Comp Cams custom grind cam/LS3 conversion/FAST 102 Intake

12-02-2009, 08:08 AM	#9
Rogue Leader Iatefiberglassinsulation Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,601 View My Garage	100 Octane is likely not leaded, but using it in an engine not tuned for it (advanced timing) is just a waste. Where you could see gains is if you used a turbo or supercharger and wanted to crank up the boost a bit. Of course that would stress the rest of your engine, but it could be fun. In my 89 TTA was able to run 19-20 lbs of boost on 100 octane vs the stock 17 lbs. __________________ 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS - was daily driver, now toy 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - Daily Driver 2017 Mercedes Benz GLE 350 - Wifes Car 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LT 6.0 - Tow Vehicle 1991 Alfa Romeo 164S - Project Car 1994 Volkswagen Golf - Race Car "Like" my race team on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/farfrumwinnin

12-02-2009, 01:31 AM	#4
two_wheel_mayhem Would rather be riding Drives: No car no more Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,750	Higher octane fuel burns slower, which causes a horsepower loss compared to lower octane. Rule is, use only as high as necessary. Oxygenated racing fuel is an exception. That crap they sell near your house isn't oxgenated. If it contains lead it's a definite no-no in your car.

12-02-2009, 06:52 AM	#5
HDDAN Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS 2007 HD FLSTC Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 1,510	Octane is knock resistance. A higher compression engine is more prone to knock or detonation which destroys engines. Our SS's are designed for 92 octane. unless you raise the compression ratio and start to expierence detonation, you will gain nothing from using race gas.

12-02-2009, 09:37 AM	#10
QBert Traction Control Hater Drives: 1968 SS and 2010 SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So-Cal Posts: 207	It makes a noticable difference in the Shelby but not in the Camaro. __________________ Stay Sideways

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