Practical Use of Race Gas Options

[Kazz5]

So, I've got the 93 octane tune dialed-in. Time to move to race gas. Obviously, I have to be consistent about the octane I use.

Last I knew, Turbo-blue was available across from ICC, but, for the life of me, I can't remembe what octane it is - or was. For that matter, I don't know if they're still selling it.

I'm told Winner's Circle carries it - but, again, which octane?

When I'm at Cordova or other strips, as well as road courses, which octane levels will be available?

All unleaded, yes?

Forgive the newbie and educate please. If you had a car you wanted to have a race fuel tune available for all venues, which octane would you tune for and where would you get it, dependably, in the Peoria area?

Thanks!

[black92_tsi_awd]

Turbo Blue Race Gas is 110 and leaded.

Almost all race gas is leaded.
Here's a good chart listing Fuel Comparison[

Cordova has:
95 (unleaded)
110
112
116
Methanol

I tune with 112. Remember that any 93 Octane in the tank will "water down" the race gas. There is a site for calculating the actual octane rating of a mixed tank but I couldn't find it again.

[Kazz5]

The only thing the lead hurts is the cat, yes?

[spyonu2007]

It tends to clog up O2 sensors, so they claim..

I went to pekin and got the 110 stuff.. I thought turbo blue was 100 octane.

When I ran that road course I had 5 gallons or so of the Pekin stuff... Id use that before the turbo blue.

I have 3 cans for transporting the pekin fuel if you need it.

[SCCA Stang]

I thought that Turbo Blue is 110 leaded and Cam 2 is 100 unleaded

am I right???

but in any respect you really don't see any performance advantage unless you can dial in more timing or boost.

[spyonu2007]

I thought that Turbo Blue is 110 leaded and Cam 2 is 100 unleaded

am I right???

but in any respect you really don't see any performance advantage unless you can dial in more timing or boost.

There are some longevity increases to running race gas at stock boost/timing levels...

For instance, when you are wide open for 30 minutes straight.. Tends the heat things up a ton and that added octane can and does come in real handy.

[SCCA Stang]

I thought that Turbo Blue is 110 leaded and Cam 2 is 100 unleaded

am I right???

but in any respect you really don't see any performance advantage unless you can dial in more timing or boost.

There are some longevity increases to running race gas at stock boost/timing levels...

For instance, when you are wide open for 30 minutes straight.. Tends the heat things up a ton and that added octane can and does come in real handy.

good point. kind of a safety net i suppose.

[black92_tsi_awd]

but in any respect you really don't see any performance advantage unless you can dial in more timing or boost.

Your right, higher octane fuel burn slower with is why they are more resistent to detonation. So it can actual cost you some power if your not taking advantage of the higer octance by turning up the boost or timing.

But as Dan stated they add a certain safety factor when the engine is under constant strain.

The lead will foul O2 sensors. I've had to replace both the narrow and wideband sensor in less than 2 years.

[Kazz5]

Well, I'm looking for something I can get consistently - at home or at the track.

If 110 is "common" at tracks and is available in Pekin, I imagine that will be the ticket.

The "turbo blue" up across from ICC, IF I remember correctly, was 100... (?) I'll be burning up the last of my 93 today/tomorrow, I think.

This tuning thing would be easier of 474/Rt 6 wasn't so damn busy these days.

I've heard running race gas w/o being tuned will hurt performance, yes. I'm looking for a dedicated tune on a specific octane to flash onto the ECU when appropriate. Otherwise, flash on the 93 octane tune.

[dualdj1]

Check with Allen Automotive in EP. They're a race parts supplier and I'm bet they carry fuel too, though they might only sell drums. Worth checking though as drums are usually a big discount, and a couple of you guys could go in on one.

Allen Automotive
427 Taylor Street East Peoria, IL
(309) 694-2413

[natedogg]

I am 100% positive that the turbo blue they sell at the pump across from ICC is unleaded and 100 octane. The advantage to this, since it is unleaded, is you can pump it directly into your car at the station.

The 110 in Pekin is leaded so they only let you pump into gas cans or a car on a trailer. But that extra 10 octane can go a long way in tuning. Also, there are lead resistant O2 sensors you can purchase to reduce the effect of fouling.

[Kazz5]

Winner's Circle in Peoria claims to have a variety from 100-118. 110's $44.95 per 5 gallon "pail"...

I don't really intend to run it that often.

Um.

I think.

[spyonu2007]

Ive heard from CAVI, maybe he will chime in on this, that the turbo blue being sold around here is hit and miss.

Personally, Id run the race gas, 110 stuff for road course and track duties.
If your worried about the cat, put a test pipe in for off road use.

I have a cat on my evo, and its not plugged up as far as I can tell.

[Kazz5]

Yeah, I have a test pipe already. The difference is a damn stinky exhaust you can smell inside the damn car. *Laugh*

I just want to get the tune and then reserve it for special occasions. We'll see!

[natedogg]

Hmm...sounds like your test pipe may not be sealing up completely when you use it. Might want to clamp it down tighter. You shouldn't really smell anything more than what you would with a cat on the car... not from the inside anyway.

[JBone]

I remember speaking to a guy 2 summers ago whose parents own a gas station. He told me Turbo Blue is extremely inconsistent for an octane rating. I can't remember specifics, and as such you can refute this quite easily, but I have heard that from a few others in passing, too.

I agree with black_92, you need to have a consistant mix of the higher octane if you want a consistent tune from your chip. I personally would not have the patience to drain the tank to add higher octane fuel.

[black92_tsi_awd]

Another thing to consider is like everything else, gas has a shelf life. I'd rather buy race gas from the track where the gas is being replenished more often. I can't imagine enough people running Turbo Blue from the pump enough that it's not a few months old.

[spyonu2007]

I think Race gas, by the can last longer than your standard gasolines found in the pump... I could be wrong though.

[black92_tsi_awd]

I would agree, a sealed can of gas should remain "fresher" longer. Especially compared to a underground tank. No off gassing and it can't absorb water or rust etc.

[dualdj1]

I would agree, a sealed can of gas should remain "fresher" longer. Especially compared to a underground tank. No off gassing and it can't absorb water or rust etc.

This is correct. I was just talking to a fuel supplier I know a couple weeks ago, and he said he keeps 55 gallon drums of race gas for up to a year with no problems and no preservatives needed. Methanol will keep much longer. Gas station tanks are vented for safety, and as such causes multiple problems including portions of the fuel evaporating, oxydation, and moisture contamination, same as keeping it in the gas tank of your car or motorcycle. As long as it's in a sealed container with as little air as possible, it should last quite a long time.

More info:

http://autos.aol.com/article/general/v2/_a...703144909990001