Octane.........unbooster?

Dave M · 12 May 2011 at 18:37

ubersonic said:
It wont cause issues, but its more the case of the only fuel sold in this country is above what's needed so if its possible to "water down" the mix that would be great, the point is simple saving money by not paying extra for nothing, I would imagine if the was a simple cheap way of downgrading the fuel it might even cover the cost of road tax.

It doesn't work like that, higher RON fuel isn't a stronger mix that can be diluted with adding some base liquid.

If he can get the engine tuned for 95 ron he may be able to get more mpg out of it, that would be his best bet.

ShakenNstirred · 12 May 2011 at 18:44

the car will run fine on our fuel
plenty of yank tanks in UK doing the same without issue

Goliath · 12 May 2011 at 20:44

Scuzi said:
Juster water it down at a ratio of 8:1. 8 parts 95 RON petrol and 1 part water. A teaspoon of mustard oil will help it mix.

This. Adding water to the tank will be fine; although we'd appreciate it if you could film the results, purely for scientific interest you understand.

Also, whilst your mate is at it, he may want to water down the gearbox oil as well, the US stuff is way too thick for use over here.

G J · 12 May 2011 at 21:11

I think the way fuel is measured here is different from the US.

I'm sure their 91 is simillar as our 95

Le_Petit_Lapin · 12 May 2011 at 21:16

Give your mate a slap for even thinking it was worth bothering.

beermonster · 12 May 2011 at 21:27

G J said:
I think the way fuel is measured here is different from the US.

I'm sure their 91 is simillar as our 95

It is but he's trying to get 95 RON down to 91 RON equivalent to the cars 87 PON rated fuel.

burns · 12 May 2011 at 21:32

Another vote for give him a slap. It's not difficult to advance the timing on a small block chevy running TBI or TPI which this presumably will be, for anyone with half a brain. That's more likely to get better MPG and not shag your engine.

Also LOL.

bledd · 12 May 2011 at 21:56

Philz0r said:
ok didnt YOUR BUDDY think about this before importing?

Calm down son, it's not his thread, and he has a point

Fr0dders · 12 May 2011 at 22:10

ubersonic said:
t is like putting V-Power into a Daewoo Matiz.

which does no harm whatsoever

its just pointless and expensive.

ubersonic · 13 May 2011 at 00:41

[TW]Fox;19121378 said:
My thoughts exactly. His credibility just took another huge knock with this thread, thats for sure.

Watering down the fuel - because what, a litre of octane unbooster would save £1.35 a tank

Its not that stupid a question is it?

I know that some classic car owners add an octane reducer to their fuel.

We ran the numbers last night (down the pub, on the back of a beer mat ^^) and it turns out that running the car for a year on 91RON as opposed to 95RON would (using the price difference in America) save enough to tax the car for that year, as much beer had been consumed it was decided as 91 isn't available in the UK the best option would be to look into the availability of an additive that cost less than petrol but could be used in an opposite manner to octane booster (i.e add to the tank, fill it up and it would dilute it to 91RON) so as I knew this forum had many helpful and knowledgeable members I decided to ask here if anybody knew of the possibility/feasibility of this idea.

Philz0r said:
ok didnt YOUR BUDDY think about this before importing?

Not really, he was planning on just running it on 95RON but then it dawned on him he could make a potential saving with no adverse effects, obviously something worth looking into.

Telescopi said:
It doesn't work like that, higher RON fuel isn't a stronger mix that can be diluted with adding some base liquid.

If he can get the engine tuned for 95 ron he may be able to get more mpg out of it, that would be his best bet.

TYVM

dave_beast · 13 May 2011 at 02:33

Just drive to Turkey everytime to fill up, I believe they have 91 octane fuel, save quite a bit of money that way

MikeHunt79 · 13 May 2011 at 07:02

G J said:
I think the way fuel is measured here is different from the US.

I'm sure their 91 is simillar as our 95

I know a US gallon if different to a UK one, so you could well be on to something there...

ubersonic · 13 May 2011 at 08:19

MikeHunt79 said:
I know a US gallon if different to a UK one, so you could well be on to something there...

Its already been answered, they use a different scale to us, their 91PON is about equal to our 95RON, however their 87PON is about equal to 91RON which is the fuel the car was designed for (hence this thread).

Fr0dders · 13 May 2011 at 08:21

MikeHunt79 said:
I know a US gallon if different to a UK one, so you could well be on to something there...

OP has already mentioned that the lowest octane gas in the states is 87 PON which equates to 91 RON in our measurement. Its still less than what we get at the pumps.

The US pumps will usually offer 87, 89 and 91 PON, with 91 PON being equivalent to our 95 RON

But only the modern US cars can take advantage of this higher octane fuel. The cars from the 80s and some cases 90 backwards, are only designed for 87 PON fuel.

Point still stands though, his mate is going to be running his Camaro on higher octane fuel than it was itended. But this is fine in the same way putting v power in your yaris is fine.

[TW]Fox · 13 May 2011 at 08:22

ubersonic said:
Its not that stupid a question is it?

Yes!

We ran the numbers last night (down the pub, on the back of a beer mat ^^) and it turns out that running the car for a year on 91RON as opposed to 95RON would (using the price difference in America) save enough to tax the car for that year,

Because you can buy 91RON fuel from the pump and its cheaper than 95RON where sold. Thats the only reason why!

You'd have to try and manufacture your OWN 91RON fuel using 95RON fuel... and something else. That is going to cost you MORE than just using 95RON, not less!

an additive that cost less than petrol but could be used in an opposite manner to octane booster (i.e add to the tank, fill it up and it would dilute it to 91RON)

Just lol?

Simon · 13 May 2011 at 08:25

I've already answered yet it seems ignored.

Whatever you add won't have the energy of fuel. So it will reduce performance.

breadturbo · 13 May 2011 at 08:42

the 91 on US pumps isnt RON as you think, its meant to have 95, DONT dilute anything.

ubersonic · 13 May 2011 at 09:06

breadturbo said:
the 91 on US pumps isnt RON as you think, its meant to have 95, DONT dilute anything.

......................

Seriously did you just read the 1st post and they reply without considering to read any of the other replies?

ubersonic · 13 May 2011 at 09:12

[TW]Fox;19124989 said:
Yes!

I see, so im stupid, so is my friend, and so is everyone else who has ever asked this...

[TW]Fox;19124989 said:
Because you can buy 91RON fuel from the pump and its cheaper than 95RON where sold. Thats the only reason why!

I know that, its kinda common sense, my example of the cost saving by using 91RON was just that, an example, the idea was that if the octane reducer was cheaper than straight 95RON it would save money with no adverse effect, and saving money without any drawback is always a good thing.

[TW]Fox;19124989 said:
You'd have to try and manufacture your OWN 91RON fuel using 95RON fuel... and something else. That is going to cost you MORE than just using 95RON, not less!

Just lol?

I should probably point out at this point that my research lead me to a British classic cars owners club forum where they explain how to do this and give you examples of what can be mixed with the 95RON to do it and what quantities are needed for certain desired RON's.

But it doesn't matter like I said I was just asking for a friend hoping to get some friendly advise.

Fr0dders · 13 May 2011 at 09:12

breadturbo said:
the 91 on US pumps isnt RON as you think, its meant to have 95, DONT dilute anything.

my god is there an echo in here ?