Race Gas

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Old 06-18-2008, 11:30 PM
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Race Gas

I have been tracking my car more an more and I am always looking for more performance. Is it safe to run my TL on race gas? With the rising fuel cost I also dont want to spend alot at the pump. Can I mix a couple gallons of race gas with my usual premium fuel?
Old 06-18-2008, 11:54 PM
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Don't know about running it straight, but you can mix them.

BUT, what's the point?

High Octane gas is harder to burn. The reason for it is basically that in very high compression engines it will keep the air/fuel mixture from pre-detonation/knocking/pinging under compression.

If you are not pre-detonatng/knocking it won't do anything and you may lose power as the burn will be less efficient.

I did a mixture (~ 50/50) before going to the strip because I WAS Pinging on 93 octane. I wanted to run "ping free" at the strip. 50/50 mix got me to ~96 or 97 Octane.
Old 06-19-2008, 12:57 AM
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If you ping-- it needed a seafoam cleaning! that will reduce detonation more than anything
For race gas use- as we tell people at the track-
higher octane than specified will not increase the HP of a normally aspirated car!!!!
If you have a supercharger or turbo thats different!
Normal TL, just run it on good gas, and maybe a step colder plugs if you are doing road race track several miles long -- sustained rpm
A plug check will tell you how things look inside
Old 06-19-2008, 01:12 AM
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Also, race fuel is leaded which can kill catalytic converters.
Old 06-19-2008, 04:13 AM
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not all race fuel is leaded-
the normal race track has ~street gas~ for all the street looking car classes and their unleaded motors, and 2 higher octanes, 1 for all out turbo/supercharged extreme hi- compression engines--racers needing 110 octane and lead, and another for spec fuel cars- where everyone runs the exact same gas, manifolds, engines etc

Since they sell a lot of gas to the weekday groups,,, and cars the can be street driven acording to their rulebook on weekend races, the track sells a 93, and 98 unleaded for the turbo cars
Its about a dollar more a gallon for 93 than 91 in town, but for how much you actually buy at a track day... if you show up with a tank of normal gas- then add race gas when 1/2 tank, save a trip to town in the middle of school!
the few dollars more supports the track in the end.
Its not worth running a full tank of 98 in a normal TL- no net gains
The TL handles well with 1/2 to 3/4 of a tank onboard IMO
Old 06-19-2008, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
not all race fuel is leaded-
the normal race track has ~street gas~ for all the street looking car classes and their unleaded motors, and 2 higher octanes, 1 for all out turbo/supercharged extreme hi- compression engines--racers needing 110 octane and lead, and another for spec fuel cars- where everyone runs the exact same gas, manifolds, engines etc

Since they sell a lot of gas to the weekday groups,,, and cars the can be street driven acording to their rulebook on weekend races, the track sells a 93, and 98 unleaded for the turbo cars
Its about a dollar more a gallon for 93 than 91 in town, but for how much you actually buy at a track day... if you show up with a tank of normal gas- then add race gas when 1/2 tank, save a trip to town in the middle of school!
the few dollars more supports the track in the end.
Its not worth running a full tank of 98 in a normal TL- no net gains
The TL handles well with 1/2 to 3/4 of a tank onboard IMO
HMMM, good to know. The drag strip I used to go to only had leaded fuel so I figured it all was. Thanks for the info!
Old 06-19-2008, 12:07 PM
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We can get 100 Octane at a few pumps around here. Unleaded.

Tom, re pinging. I doubt mine is a "Seafoam" solution. Wouldn't hurt to try, but it happens with great frequency in the 3G TL-S. Huge Thread in 3G Problems and Fixes.

FWIW - I *assume* the OP thought he'd get more power from higher Octane, which is just a common misconception from not understanding Octane Ratings.
Old 06-19-2008, 07:59 PM
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So glad I dont have a gen3 and the freaky probs you get with timing and UR pullies,,,,

My example of race gas was based on roadrace courses- a dragstrip will have limited room for tanks - so the real race motors is what they cater to
Every track has a website- usually list the brand name and octanes of the gas available, plus links to groups that hold track day driver school in your own car~~~~
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