93 octane or 87 Octane NO Ethanol

[N80]

As I've stated on many similar threads, my truck runs much better with more ready power when I put in a full tank of ethanol free.

I doubt very seriously most of us can subjectively notice significant performance gains between the fuel types in a new or well maintained modern vehicle. I know that I can't make any real subjective judgement regardless of the vehicle or the fuel. On the road or the race track. Maybe you can. But I used to swear all my vehicles ran better after a good wash and wax. The mind is a powerful thing and so is the placebo effect.

 

[TMGT]

I doubt very seriously most of us can subjectively notice significant performance gains between the fuel types in a new or well maintained modern vehicle. I know that I can't make any real subjective judgement regardless of the vehicle or the fuel. On the road or the race track. Maybe you can. But I used to swear all my vehicles ran better after a good wash and wax. The mind is a powerful thing and so is the placebo effect.

Doing a lot of dyno work I can tell you that the BSFC does go up with ethenol fuels noticeably, I can't remeber the exact numbers but it would be noticeable if you were to hand calculate it in a vehicle. Vehicles are very efficient but can't compensate for lost btu in fuel. The only time I've seen the gap close is with higher ethanol blends that have a higher octane and can utilize higher cylinder pressures from forced induction for higher compression, then you'll see the gap narrow.

 

[N80]

I don't know what BFSC is. But my point is not that there is no difference. My point is that most of us won't feel the difference in performance. Especially with typical road use. If you race or time trial and you're really good and really consistent you might see it in lap times but still probably not in the seat of your pants.

 

[TMGT]

BSFC= brake specific fuel consumption

 

[N80]

BSFC= brake specific fuel consumption

I still don't know what it means.:laughing:

 

[aczlan]

I still don't know what it means.:laughing:

It's the amount of work that it can do with a particular amount of fuel.
So if the engine is putting out 100 horsepower continuously, it's how much fuel it will use to do that.

Aaron Z

 

[woodlandfarms]

As the op my small engines are saws trimmers mowers. I run non eth because I have had huge problems with gumming. I travel for work. Usually gone 3 to 4 months at a time. I was running eth A few years ago I left for two weeks and came back nearly a year later. 5 engines in the shop.

As for distance. I have to drive 27 miles for non eth. The coop has 87 and the chevron got the 93.

 

[MossRoad]

As the op my small engines are saws trimmers mowers. I run non eth because I have had huge problems with gumming. I travel for work. Usually gone 3 to 4 months at a time. I was running eth A few years ago I left for two weeks and came back nearly a year later. 5 engines in the shop.

As for distance. I have to drive 27 miles for non eth. The coop has 87 and the chevron got the 93.

If you're going to let them sit, I'd suggest either running them out of fuel, or putting fuel shut-off valves on them, then running them out of fuel, and no matter what, use Stabil in your fuel, since you don't know when the next time you'll be running them is. As mentioned, I've used Stabil in my Briggs powered generator for years. Works great. Give it a try. It's cheaper than non-ethanol fuel in the long run. You're bringing home fuel in cans anyway. Just a simple matter of dosing the empty can before fill up.

 

[paulfun9]

I don't know what BFSC is. But my point is not that there is no difference. My point is that most of us won't feel the difference in performance. Especially with typical road use. If you race or time trial and you're really good and really consistent you might see it in lap times but still probably not in the seat of your pants.

Just because you cant feel it doesn't mean there is no difference.

Many people simply don't have a good feel for performance but you would be surprised at how many of us do.

 

[TMGT]

I use Stabil along with non ethenol fuel, I've still had problems in the past with Stabil and E10, I haven't tried the additives designed for ethanol. I figure if I have to treat the ethenol then why buy it in the first place, the small premium for non ethenol fuel is worth it for my OPE. Draining/Running equipment out of fuel everytime just isn't always practical for me and even then it's not a guarantee I won't have issues.