Sunoco race fuel
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Tidewater
Just poking a little fun, Paul...Where is there a bike night this week in V. Beach or close by. We have a HDF member visiting and we were going to try to get together...are you maybe interested...?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,932
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From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
Tues.- Cheeseburger in Paradise (lynnhaven Mall)
Wed.- Boneshakers
Thurs.- Knuckleheads, and Scandals (Holland Rd)
Wed. or Thursday will work w/ me. PM me and we can catch up.
I might have some $$$ left after that fill up of race fuel for a couple of rounds.
Ride Safe,
YB
Av gas is dry. What you have to worry about there is it burning up the valves. If you're running a mix with regular pump gas you probably don't need to worry. I used 118 octane in my race car, since I have some left over I plan to mix 1-1.5 gallons of it with the local 91 in my bike. it should bump it up a couple of points for those hot days.
Last edited by DevilSperm; Aug 1, 2011 at 11:41 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Fennario
As to the Sunoco race fuel... I'd pass. Seven bucks a gallon for nothing? I cringe when I encounter $4 fuel on the road... no way I'd pony up $7 on the chance there may be some slight benefit that I wouldn't notice. YMMV...
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 8
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From: norcal
sunoco race fuel
Some poeple crack me up! We all have these $25000 toys we ride and they worry about a few extra bucks for a couple gallons of fuel. Its not like we are running straight race gas. A few gallons mixed here and there isn't going to send us to the poor house! Most of us are running fuel controllers so our o2 sensors are not hooked up and the fuel we buy is unleaded race gas. I don't see it hurting a thing especially when its hot out!
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: 46th State, USA
The only thing special about above average octane fuel (race fuel) is that it has a lower flash point for higher compression engines. Most peoples understanding of fuel octane is just the opposite from reality. The lower octane fuels have a higher flash point because it's used in a lower compression engine.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Potsdam, NY
A higher octane just means it takes more heat or compression to cause ignition. It does not generate more power. If your engine recommends 81 octane, then you will get reduced performance on high octane and eventually fouled spark plugs. Hi octane fuels do not produce more power, they just prevent pre detonation in a high compression engine. Because hi octane fuels are associated with hi compression, hi performance engines, some people think if you put them in a normal engine you will get more power. This is a false assumption.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Fennario
Some poeple crack me up! We all have these $25000 toys we ride and they worry about a few extra bucks for a couple gallons of fuel. Its not like we are running straight race gas. A few gallons mixed here and there isn't going to send us to the poor house! Most of us are running fuel controllers so our o2 sensors are not hooked up and the fuel we buy is unleaded race gas. I don't see it hurting a thing especially when its hot out!
Glad I could contribute to your amusement.
A few extra bucks for a couple gallons of fuel? I usually spend about $200 every month on fuel for my scoot. Buying $7/gallon fuel would nearly double that. I see no reason to do that for something that doesn't provide a benefit - for me. Feel free to do whatever you choose.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Wisconsin, USA
octane slows the rate of burn for the fuel. The more octane the slower the burn. That is why you have pinging when you run low octane fuel. With the timing advanced to say, 14 degrees BTDC, the actual spark starts before the piston reaches the top of the stroke. If the fuel burns to quickly it will ignite and burn before TDC. This causes a force to push back against the rotation of the engine and the result is the pinging noise you hear, detonation. Detonation is probably the most destructive force to an engine. It can also result from preignition. Preignition is when the compression of the engine, combined with a localized hot spot on the piston or in the cumbustion area causes the fuel to ignite before the spark fires. At any rate if you want to run that high of an octane, you slow the burn rate down excessively. It is still burning long after the piston is starts going down and, therefore is not being used as effeciently as it would have been had it burned at the proper rate and and expanded near the top of the stroke, using all of the burn power to push the piston down harder. Yes, you may see flames out the exhaust because that is where the fuel is burning instead of in the cylinder. As Dogwood said, "You want to to run the lowest possible octane level that will not create motor ping."