any thoughts about Sunoco's 100 octane fuel?

[dberns]

I noticed that a Sunoco gas station near me has a pump labeled something like "racing fuel", 100 octane, "street legal".

(I take it the last phrase is there to emphasize that it's lead free).

I've been tempted to try some just for the hell of it... but figured
I'd better scratch my head first and check if there's the
slightest chance it would damage my beloved Insight.

(I could head down the road another half dozen miles to
Teterboro Airport and get some good ole lead enriched
fuel [a], but That would be Very Wrong)

Has anyone played with this stuff? Thanks

[a] aviation fuel still has some lead in it. Not as much
as a decade ago, when Superman could have used
it as a Kryptonite shield, but still an annoying amount.

url for some info on Sunoco:

http://www.sunocoinc.com/Site/Consumer/ ... o260GT.htm

[Resist]

If an engine isn't designed for higher octane fuel, it won't improve anything.

[Guillermo]

I've used both 87 and 94 octane Sunoco fuel many time for summer street driving and race track time trials. I never noticed a difference. Now that I have a race prepped civic for the track, i just use 87 octane in my Insight.

[jbrasure]

I'm not sure about the Insight, but many cars actually get better gas mileage with lower octane gas. I believe the only advantage of high octane gas is that it reduces engine knocking. If your car doesn't knock with 87 octane, then just use that.

[kapps]

jbrasure is right. The higher the octane, the more it resists ignition. This allows you to run a lot of boost but has a lower total power potential than lower octane fuel. The Insight was designed for 87 octane and 87 octane will give it the most power. If you had a turbo and 100 octane allowed you to increase the boost by a few psi, then thats a differnet story.

[Insightful Trekker]

For the last thread on octane vs. damage see:

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=4232

However, the lead issue is very plain, clear and leaves tell tale evidence. Expect O2 sensor and CAT damage with as little as one tank. Its likely you'll be "caught" holding the bag for $1700 +.

In a more reasonable range of octane (93 max) the Insight can take partial advantage of higher values since it has a knock sensor and will adjust the ignition timing accordingly.

But kapps scenario fits the bill most completely.

100 octane in an Insight IMO no benefit and possible "damage" from repeated usage.

HTH!

[ed kayen]

According to the car manual, the Insight was designed for 86 octane, which is probably more available to the European market. So 87 octane, being the norm for regular here in the states, is a higher octane to begin with than what is the recommended as the minimum octane for our beloved Insight.

[radiojim]

My 2006 Owners Manual states, "87 octane or higher" or some wording to that effect. It does perform better with 93. I agree with John, the Insight can take advantage, to a certain limit, with something higher than 87. I believe that to be the intent of the statement in the manual. I don't believe they meant 100 octane, which my '71 Lincoln just loves.

[Guillermo]

Originally Posted by ed kayen

According to the car manual, the Insight was designed for 86 octane, which is probably more available to the European market. So 87 octane, being the norm for regular here in the states, is a higher octane to begin with than what is the recommended as the minimum octane for our beloved Insight.

I saw 86 octane fuel during a road trip in the high elevations of Colorado, USA.

[Insightful Trekker]

Higher altitude = thinner air = lower dynamic compression = lower octane requirement.