Thread: Gas(Octane question)

Just wondering if anyone had any insight on running 87 octane in the winter on a VE motor. Currently running 93 octane and I have watched my gas milage go from about 31 mpg to 26 mpg in the cold. I am thinking that since the air is now cooler I can get away with running 87 octane which in theory should improve my gas mileage.

Does this make any sense?

i don't think so (about an increase anyways). the drop is/should be across the board due to the winter formula of gas.

What kind of mileage are you getting with your setup?

i've been getting a steady 23-25mpg on shell 93oct. i just gotta a good maf ground today so i'm hoping to see an increase.

I always thought VE's should get 35 mpg. Guess I need to reground the MAF as well and watch my driving.

Well the guy at the gas station put 87 in my tank after I asked for 93. I had 4.4 gallons of 93 in the tank in addition to the 7.6 gallons of 87 he put in which turned out to be 89 octane.

My gas mileage is now showing 320 to the tank of which i probably have another 40-60 miles on. Therefore my theory of running a lower octane has worked. I am not sure I will try it again as I have not rev-ed out the motor and just kept at a constant speed.

As long as you aren't detonating you should be gaining both power and mileage. WIth lower octane the gasoline is more apt to combust, providing more complete combustion in a faster time frame in comparison to higher octanes. The ONLY reason higher octane should be considered is because of detonation. I run 85 octane all day.

That's what i was thinking. So higher octane allows for more timing?

What are you running it on?

85?

i've never even seen 85 octane lol
lowest we have is 87

i think 85 because of the elevation out that way.

i may have to try running some 89 or maybe even 87. just for the winter. but i'll have to religiously remember not to gun it, which would be hard to do.