 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Just curious, anybody ever use an octane higher (or lower) than 89? Any differences in operation or response?
06 TBA Mulberry Red/Silver (SOLD!! 
2010 Thunderbird LE 1700 :-)
"We eat, sleep, breath, dream, live, love, and ride motorcycles ..."
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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the only difference i have noticed was smell & price.
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I burn high test in the bike, dont know if it would make a difference or not, I just feel with the gas milage I get, She's worth a few extra pennies.
Kinda like deciding on taking a date out for Pizza or Lobster.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I use premium 93 ..94 whatever they have. The old bikes actually called for 98 so I have just always used premium.I always did in the wrecker too until the gas prices went crazy!
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Just curious, anybody ever use an octane higher (or lower) than 89? Any differences in operation or response?
I usually use the recommended 89 - However, I just ran two tank fulls of regular (87) through it and found no difference in either performance or mileage. I payed close attention for pinging and detected none. I'll try again in warm weather to see if there is any sign of pre-ignition. I suspect regular will work just fine. Conversely, I have also used 93 and also detected no difference. I lean strongly toward the notion that higher octane equates proportionatly to thinner wallets when there are no ignition problems.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
Just curious, anybody ever use an octane higher (or lower) than 89? Any differences in operation or response?
I usually use the recommended 89 - However, I just ran two tank fulls of regular (87) through it and found no difference in either performance or mileage. I payed close attention for pinging and detected none. I'll try again in warm weather to see if there is any sign of pre-ignition. I suspect regular will work just fine. Conversely, I have also used 93 and also detected no difference. I lean strongly toward the notion that higher octane equates proportionatly to thinner wallets when there are no ignition problems.
Ok pipedr I think with todays prices I should think about the thickening my wallet factor,..Let me ask a dumb question. i've been running 92,93 since I got her. Would dropping now to 89 possiblebly create a problem.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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I use the recommended 89 octane. Anything higher would only be required if pre-ignition is experienced. There is information available which indicates using too high causes carbon build-up.
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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and where would this info be available?
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
i've been running 92,93 since I got her. Would dropping now to 89 possiblebly create a problem.
Wouldn't be a problem at all. You may notice a very very slight difference in either performance or mileage, but super thin slight.
Soren
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Ya know it wouldn't suprise me if it is just 1 big tank under graound and the only dif is what the pump says and what you pay. So then I would be the sucker for buying the more expensive.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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89 all the time. no need to run any higher unless running 904 or custom pistons
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Unless the vehicle calls for Premium gas you are wasting your money, just run what is recommended. The refineries put the same amount of cleaning additives in all the different grades of gas, so there is no advantage in running Premium.
Now in Florida there are only two pipelines coming in from the Gulf area refineries. Regular and Premium. They blend the two at the storage tanks to get the middle grade. When I lived in CT years ago I had some friends that worked at the local gas station. The owner would put Regular in the Premium holding tanks when he needed to make more money.
I tend to run Regular when it is warm to cool out and Plus (89 octane) when it is hot out. I have not notices any real difference between the two.
Tom
Last edited by tcv; 04/10/2007 7:48 PM.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
and where would this info be available?
Google is your friend.
web page
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Again with the octane!!!!
It's not quality, it's not power, it's resistance to ignition. Get over it.
Too high an octane rating for your engine will result in incomplete combustion.
That means a power loss.
Use the recommended rating.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
I use premium 93 ..94 whatever they have. The old bikes actually called for 98 so I have just always used premium.I always did in the wrecker too until the gas prices went crazy!
The old bikes used leaded gas. I wonder what is used in them now? I used to put 104 in my Chevy. Anything over 98 or so is practically impossible with unleaded. The old radial engine airplanes used something like 145/155 I think. I usually put 91 in my bike, I've had some pre detonation with 87 and some very minor pings under hard acceleration with 89. The Blue Streak seems very satisfied with 91. Anything more than what is required to stop the pinging is a complete waste of money so 91 is as far as I'll go.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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You can go 2 routs with the old bikes. Carry lead addative so the valve seats don't pit or I know a place to get the soft seats machined out and new hard seats fitted. As far as gas its 89 or 92. 94 if you go to Sunoco here. I used to run 10.5:1 wiseco forged racing pistons in the old 650s
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Adjunct
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Like dog here I always go for the highest octane. We only have 4.4 gallon tanks so your only looking at a buck to a buck and a half more a fill up anyway if you go with the premium. Besides my Lady deserves the best!
She's a Lady and the Lady is 100% mine !
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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This was discussed before, and I think someone said that our
motors are not high compression, so anything over 89 octane
isn't going to give you any benefit, and in fact may be bad.
I'm no expert, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn.
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Sep 2006
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I run premium here.. don't mind the few extra pennies it cost me. just my 2 cents  Trev
07 TBA Pacific Blue and White.. stock for now!
A bike has half the wheels my cage does.. but 3x the fun factor
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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I'm not an expert but I've been taught by experts. Back in flight school the piston engine instructor explained what all the octane stuff meant and I've forgotten most of it. One thing I do remember was that the octane rating is for measuring gasoline's resistance to preignition or predetonation. Simply put, the ability to not spontaneously explode due to heat and pressure during the compression stroke prior to the spark plug firing. The higher the compression and operating temperature of the engine the higher the octane required to prevent preignition of the fuel/air mixture. Being a typical considerate Navy instructor he asked us all what we put in our cars. When we answered he told us that any octane rating above what was required to prevent pinging was a complete waste of money but that the oil companies loved us because we increased their profits by paying for octane we didn't need, rather like buying 11 gallons of gas to put into a 10 gallon tank and pouring the last gallon on the ground. I've always tried to get by on only what was really necessary ever since.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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I use at least 89. It's what the engine was designed to use by the folks who designed the engine. IMHO, it's FAR more important to use a quality brand fuel at 89 octane than it is to use an off brand variety at a higher octane. I don't mean to sound snooty, but some folks try to save a few cents on every tank of fuel but yet seemingly don't give a second thought about maintaining an over $3 a pack smoking habit. It just doesn't make sense to me. 
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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 Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I normally run 89 but sometimes when I'm late for work and need gas I'll do a "splash & go" with the gas for the lawnmower, which is 87. I haven't noticed any pinging, power, or mileage changes because of it.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Adjunct
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Article comparing octanes. Regular or Premium
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Just read bigbills post above. The link was very informative. I understood octane rating before I read it but there is info there I didn't know.I will probably continue to run premium but as far as it being good or bad read that and decide.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Dog, just to put in my 2cents. I have a turbo'd Passat, so should HAVE to use Premium (which the owners manual requires), but tried 89 once and it has ran fine ever since, 80,000 miles later. I even went back on a couple long trips to see if I got better mileage, power, etc... and NADA!! I've been running 89 since day 1 in the America, and still get a steady 40mpg and the plugs look good, so that tells me it's just fine. Why waste soon-to-be-$4 a gallon when you could spend it on beer or chrome... 
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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I'm with Greg here. I run the 89 in my 904'd bike with custom cams and she loves it just fine. I can even run the 87 and she still likes it, but the plugs show a bit more soot so I run the 89. I ran 91, 92, 93, 94 and it made no difference in power (either did the 87) or pinging or mileage. I'll stick with the 89. - I usually use All Sunoco mind you - and for the naysayers that say the cheap gas station gas is the same as Sunoco- nuh uh! Tried the local cheap stations and I actually get a slight loss of power and sometimes even bad gas that I have to drain and toss on the bonfire. Usually has water in it.  Oh, the reason I like the Sunoco most - they have SEPERATE hoses for each grade. Take a Mobil station, tell it to fill with the premium and you get about a gallon (the amount in the hose and pump) of whatever the guy before you bought before any premium hits your tank. That would be 25% of your tank. Then the next schmo that chooses the cheap stuff gets a nice gallon of the premium you paid for.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Like I said it's up to you to decide what to do. I'll run premium always have probably always will.
Depends on the Station BP is the only one here with seperate hoses that I am aware of. Every Sunoco I have been to here has just 1. Sunoco has had single hose around here ever since the old pumps with the mechanical number wheels to count off the purchase. They had a handle on the side to select grade.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Some of it also depends on what part of the country you live in. If I remember right, regular in Utah is 85 and mid-grade is 87. Where's Shane (Bobbed) he would know for sure.
Soren
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Some of it also depends on what part of the country you live in. If I remember right, regular in Utah is 85 and mid-grade is 87. Where's Shane (Bobbed) he would know for sure.
Soren
Depends on altitude. I'm not sure where the cut-off is, but I've noticed the same thing in Colorado.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Oh, the reason I like the Sunoco most - they have SEPERATE hoses for each grade. Take a Mobil station, tell it to fill with the premium and you get about a gallon (the amount in the hose and pump) of whatever the guy before you bought before any premium hits your tank. That would be 25% of your tank. Then the next schmo that chooses the cheap stuff gets a nice gallon of the premium you paid for.
I've read about this other places. One guy did a test (wish I could remember where), he asked one of the state weights and measures guys that was testing the pumps where he was filling how much was in the pump and hose. He didn't know, but was able to check it out on the spot. It's about 1/3 of a gallon.
Still, wouldn't want to pay premium price for even a third of gallon of less expensive stuff.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Depends on altitude. I'm not sure where the cut-off is, but I've noticed the same thing in Colorado.
Altitude makes the difference. The cylinders are filled with air at (relatively) ambient pressure and then compressed. Since the air at higher altitude is thinner it cannot be compressed to the same pressure as the thicker air at lower altitudes so a lower octane rating is required to achieve the same effect. Funny how the cheaper to make lower octane fuel doesn’t seem to cost less though.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Some of it also depends on what part of the country you live in. If I remember right, regular in Utah is 85 and mid-grade is 87. Where's Shane (Bobbed) he would know for sure.
Soren
In most places in Utah its 87, 89 and 93(i think). Some places have the 85 but I think that has gone away for the most part. I usually run the Premium or Mid grade Depending on the octain (at least 89). I usually try to only use Chevron if I can help it.
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Everywhere in PA I have ever been all I see is 87 , 89 , 93 and 94 at Sunoco
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I've tried 93 a bunch of times and can't really tell any difference between 89 and 93. I've been satying with 89.
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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101...oh...i thought you guys were talking about the proof of your drink...
Mark
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I know we have different ratings so I'm gonna talk in normal (proabaly 87), super(prob 89) or daft ratings.... I normally use super as I have found that he likes it more. Doesn't affect the mpg but makes him a little louder... And he's quicker off the mark. I won't use daft fuels like Shell Optimax or Total Excellium as it's way to expensive. Normal... I'll use it when the price goes too high...
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel...
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: 87, 89 or 93?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Love the cat doing push-ups....that is a "gung-ho kitty" 
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