acura1972

hi guys, just wondering if i get a higher octane rating to fuel my rdx, will it be better? for premium gasoline, shell here in toronto only has 91 octane while sunoco has 94... i know that 91 is the least one should fill it in, so wondering if i would be served better with a higher octane? [or is it useless?]

on another topic: when does the turbo actually kick in? i noticed that when im driving on an uphill it actually kicks in... and sometimes when i try to pass... i havent tried to rapidly accelerate so am wondering when turbo kicks in? in fact, when does the car apply turbo to get more power and when does the car downshift to get a higher torque? as well, i noticed that my turbo meter rarely goes higher than 1/2... of course i havent floored it and ive been just taking care of it (but not babying it) since i just got it yesterday...

thanks for your thoughts on this...

bgillette79

1. 91 is fine...94 will not do anything extra.

2.Turbo...depends. Watch your foot and meter. That will tell you when.

cwepruk

Floor the thing and find out.

mav238

Have been regularly putting Shell V-power 93 and occasionally either Mobil or Sunoco 93 in it.

Given the price paid for Shell V-power 93 is not different from the Gulf 91, I typically, and out of convenience, get the Shell V-power whenever possible.

The turbo is already spooling at 1500 rpm, just that you will not really feel the full boost until 3000 rpm and up. I like it like this better, gradual build up of boost, rather than those turbos in the older Subaru WRXs, where nothing happens until 3000 rpm and then you suddenly get propelled like a freight train on steroids.

acura1972

haha thanks cewpruk and mav... im still on "break in period' remember? at any rate, ill figure it out sooner or later hopefully... i didnt realize it spools at such a low rpm, i do see the turbo gauge move up a bit from time to time, and then all the way to the middle when climbing up... havent seen it all the way to the "+" sign (eg. max turbo, i guess) yet though... maybe once ive reached 1000kms or so, then i can head out again for a very long drive...

wspy

Ok... 91 is great, 94 is greater...Where as on a very hot day and a heat soaked engine the chances of the ECU pulling some timing would be closer on 91 that 94; but believe me is shouldnt be a prob ( 90 is the only thing I can get). Using 94 will guarantee you are getting the maximum timing the ECU will afford - BTW more timing = more power. So if and when you get your Hondata ECU upgrade you'll prolly want to use the higher octane to always reap the benefits of the enchanced timing maps employed in that case!
The Turbo spools from as early as 1500-2000 rpm, its all dependent on engine load, TPS (accelerator) input and gear.
Making full boost (boost needle all the way up) will in no way hurt your 'new' engine, so its perfectly safe to 'step on it' to feel the power!
Basically the only thing "breaking in" right now are the piston rings, and at this point they are probably there. You can wait till the 1000km mark if it makes you feel better but it really wont make much of a diff. you may find that as the kms pile up your gas milage will increase slightly, up to a point, but thats about it.

Have fun '72, you got one of the best SUVs out there!!!

acura1972

thanks wspy... just a few clarifications if it's ok:

a) the only thing to make the turbo get into full "+" is to speed it up and to floor it, am i right?
b) what is hondata ECU upgrade? do i pay for that? and how can/should i get an upgrade?

and yes, will try to get 94 from time to time... shell 91 is more convenient for me... some people here in toronto got check emissions light when when they gassed up at 94 sunoco - that's what they said, i dunno why... some people also say shell 91 has no ethanol so better...

cwepruk

You can get full boost at part throttle, but it still requires a heavy foot.

The hondata upgrade is a reprogrammed ECU that adds power. It's the single best mod for increasing power. http://www.hondata.com/reflash_rdx.html

I'm selling mine if interested since it doesn't work with the factory remote starter (accessory in Canada).

wspy

A) Thats not the only way, just one of them. Its depends on engine load and driving conditions too (uphill etc) and how much you are pressing the gas pedal.

B) What cwepruk said above, pay = yes and only avail through a dealer.