Ethanol free gas
What octane should I be running?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: NC
Took a road trip a few months ago, on gas stops I alternated back and forth between premium and mid grade. I did not see any difference in performance or mpg. Probably didn't save much money but I was curious and tried it. Seemed to run fine.
Ride safe
Ride safe
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
HD "recommends" 91. The EPA " TELLS" manufacturers that there engines must be able to run of 87 octane. The ECM will adjust accordingly.
I use 87 in all mine without any issues for years now. Some will argue against success but that is their problem.
cptdenny - You are my new hero.
I use 87 in all mine without any issues for years now. Some will argue against success but that is their problem.
cptdenny - You are my new hero.
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 22, 2011 at 11:20 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
For the statement made that there is "more energy in in higher octane" is totally wrong.
Energy is not octane. It is BTU's. A gallon of gas has 115,000 BTU's no matter what the octane is.
Octane is the measurement of a fuels resistance to ignition and nothing more.
I use 87 in 6 HD's three Vettes with LS1, LS2 and LS3 motors and a Viper. None ping because I don't lug the motors and I don't WOT them.
Never a ping in years of driving. The HD's have 1200cc, TC96's and TC103. I do put oil coolers on them and run 12.1 to 1 AFR. Again no pinging ever. The two trips totaling over 9,000 miles this year saved me $100 or more on gas costs. Paid for a nite at the motel.
Like I said in another post some people will argue against success.
If some one does experience pinging with regular operation, I would suggest doing a carbon job on the motor.
Energy is not octane. It is BTU's. A gallon of gas has 115,000 BTU's no matter what the octane is.
Octane is the measurement of a fuels resistance to ignition and nothing more.
I use 87 in 6 HD's three Vettes with LS1, LS2 and LS3 motors and a Viper. None ping because I don't lug the motors and I don't WOT them.
Never a ping in years of driving. The HD's have 1200cc, TC96's and TC103. I do put oil coolers on them and run 12.1 to 1 AFR. Again no pinging ever. The two trips totaling over 9,000 miles this year saved me $100 or more on gas costs. Paid for a nite at the motel.
Like I said in another post some people will argue against success.
If some one does experience pinging with regular operation, I would suggest doing a carbon job on the motor.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 5
From: In the north
If HD recomended you wear a thong when you ride, would you do that also?
The 91 oct is a recomendation and only a recomendation. If you have pinging or what ever from running 87 oct then you have bigger issues other then fuel oct.
Been running 87 oct in my 05 since I got it. Has stage one intake, cams, SERT, pipes etc. Runs just fine. Actually seems to run better on the cheap stuff. it is actually quicker reving, I can get a couple more mph on top end and I get better fuel economy actually.
But then I never fell for the Mini Mart kid hype of higher oct fuels either.
The 91 oct is a recomendation and only a recomendation. If you have pinging or what ever from running 87 oct then you have bigger issues other then fuel oct.
Been running 87 oct in my 05 since I got it. Has stage one intake, cams, SERT, pipes etc. Runs just fine. Actually seems to run better on the cheap stuff. it is actually quicker reving, I can get a couple more mph on top end and I get better fuel economy actually.
But then I never fell for the Mini Mart kid hype of higher oct fuels either.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Actually there should be less BTU's in a volume of a gallon of gas with higher octane. The octane additives take up volume, so less gas to make space for the addatives, hence less BTU's in that gallon.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
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From: East Alton, IL
You're right and I appologize. I read another thread recently where someone posted that web site and implied that anyone who didn't use ethanol free gas was some kind of moron and all we had to do was look at the web site and go to the ethanol free stations to get the corn free gas.