FP & manufactuer octane rating requirements

[UNC201]

I'm reading some threads where posters are saying they are just buying the cheapest gas around and adding FP to the fuel.

Would this apply even IF the manufactuer of the vehicle calls for 91 octane as a minimum. Granted, on long 4-6 hour trips, I've used 89 with no problem. For day to day city driving however, I usually run 91 with 2oz per 10 gallon of Redline S1.


I'm down to 1 more bottle left of S1 and I'll be using Neutra/FP as my FSC.

 

[shortyb]

My 03 Maxima calls for 93 (or premium) for "maximum" performance (no pun intended

) It will run ok on anything less but the knock sensor will tell the ECU to retard timing if it senses knock with lower octane fuel. Obviously a self-preservation feature and seemingly the only bad "side effect" is a loss of power.

I started a very unscientific experiment where I dropped the octane and added the FP. I have a Harrison datalogger that would give me real-time ignition timing reads to see if the timing would retard using FP and the lower octane fuels. Only once did I experience a timing retard with 87 and FP. It was a very hot summer day, A/C blastin' and I really got my foot in it. Even then it went back just 2* and returned after I hit 3rd gear. I stopped adding FP and after a few tanks of just plain 87, the timing would drop 2~6* even on modest acceleration. I now use 89 and FP all the time with zero problems, unleashing all 255 (claimed) horsies

.

Your MMV, of course.

 

[UNC201]

Good read.

Wha ratio of FP to gasoline are you using ?

 

[shortyb]

As recommended, 1 oz./5 gal. of fuel.

 

[jason07-1zzfe]

But did you re-check with the datalogger after going back to FP to make sure it wasn't due to differing gas quality?

 

[shortyb]

Jason-no, not as completely as before. Cold weather was coming and the station I fill up at was getting ready for winter fuel. I always go to the same place for fuel and use the same pump. The manager is pretty knowledgable about the fuel he gets and thus was able to tell me when the winter fuel was coming. He is kinda a-retentive too since his H/O Camaro is sensitive to winter/summer fuels.

I figure the variances were fairly negligable when I did my datalogging but when warm weather returns (will it ever?) I'll try something more in-dpth and inclusive to rule out more variables. For now I'm pretty satisfied with the performance of the 89 and FP. I have seen no changes in the timing (ie: retard) since going this route, including several WOT runs and a few hot/humid days back in Sept.

[ January 25, 2004, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: shortyb ]

 

[Pablo]

Chefwong,

Check this thread. Funky title, but similar topic:

FP and ethanol gas

Also, do a search, Molacule and others have said FP isn't (exactly) an octane booster.

 

[SSDude]

Where can I order Fuel Power. I don't see a link on the website. Also, is Fuel Power also an upper cylinder lube like the Lucas product. Thanks

[ January 25, 2004, 02:06 PM: Message edited by: SSDude ]

 

[shortyb]

quote:

---

Originally posted by SSDude:
Where can I order Fuel Power. I don't see a link on the website. Also, is Fuel Power also an upper cylinder lube like the Lucas product. Thanks

---

You can get Lube Control, Fuel Power and additional info here:

www.lubecontrol.com

I'll leave the argument for whether it is an upper cylinder lube to the experts. Terry? Mola?

 

[MolaKule]

FP is a fuel system cleaner (including fuel injector cleaner), and does add extra potential energy to the fuel.

What it is not:
1. Octane Booster
2. Cetane booster
3. Upper cylinder lubricant

However, by cleaning the combustion chamber, in most cases, allows a lower octane fuel can be used.

An upper cylinder lubricant deposits metal and or organic films on the valve seats and faces for cushion and to prevent recession (for older engines not having hardened valve seats). FP does not have enough of either ingredient to qualify as an upper cylinder lubricant.

 

[Dr. T]

quote:

---

Originally posted by MolaKule:

An upper cylinder lubricant deposits metal and or organic films on the valve seats and faces for cushion and to prevent recession (for older engines not having hardened valve seats). FP does not have enough of either ingredient to qualify as an upper cylinder lubricant.

---

Molacule, what kind of "metals"? Engine wear metal or it's own metals in suspension? Is this a bad thing? I hope it's not like the 'restore' product...

 

[Dr. T]

But, is this property of UCL's a bad thing?

 

[MolaKule]

The metals come from the UCL mix itself and could include lead, Manganese (as in MMT), zinc, sodium, and a few other exotic metals. The organics could include special amine esters, except these have to be replenished more often than do the metallics.

Engine Restore etc actually lays down soft metals on liners and rings to place metal in the microscopic valleys of metal surfaces.

[ January 27, 2004, 12:06 PM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]